The family of missing boy William Tyrell thank searchers in Kendall as they ‘hope and pray’ he comes home soon

THE family of three-year-old William Tyrell have issued a heart-felt “thank you” to the people helping to look for their boy, as the search continues.

Photo showing William Tyrell Photo courtesy of NSW Police

THE family of three-year-old William Tyrell have issued a heart-felt “thank you” as the search continues for the missing boy.

William vanished on September 12 and was last seen wearing a Spiderman costume at his grandmother’s Kendall home, on the NSW mid north coast.

Searching continued today in the Middle Brother area, 45km south of Port Macquarie, involving about 70 searchers.

Today, William’s family issued this statement:

Statement from William Tyrell's family

William is only three years and three-months-old and really still a baby, he has so many more years to live and we desperately want him home. William up until a month ago was obsessed with all things Fire Engine and would tell us his name was “Firefighter William”… a future he deserves to fulfil.

To the residents of Benaroon Drive: Within minutes of hearing that William was missing everyone came out and helped with the search, we were amazed at how quickly you came to help. Thank you. We would also like to say a big thank you for your patience and co-operation with Police in the search for little William.

To the Police: As well as William loving all things Fire Engines and Fire Fighters he was also enamoured by the Police and he would have been beside himself to see the amount of Police Cars and Police officers at Nana’s house. And also, like all little boys, he would have been asking you about your guns! We know how hard you have all been working – your dedication to finding little William has astounded us and we, from the bottom of our hearts, say “thank you so much”; it has given us strength and hope that William will be returned to us soon. We also want to thank those of you who we have got to know for your personal support and commitment to the search for William.

To the SES: We have seen you day and night searching for William; even when we couldn’t sleep at 3am we saw you walking around with torches and driving the cars. We thank you deeply and we know that for each and every one of you “it’s more than just a job”.

To the Surf Life Saving & RFS: Thank you for taking the time away from your families and your other volunteering efforts.

To the Kendall community: You are amazing, every day we would hear how many volunteers had shown up at the showground and every day the numbers got bigger. People had taken time off work, we saw a lady pushing a pram and holding a baby on her front walking looking for William, we saw a man walking his push bike looking for William, and we saw everyday people just like us in the bush and on the road looking for our little boy. And every day – all through the day – people were dropping off food and drinks to support the searchers.

Thank you so much! You should feel very proud of yourselves and the community.

Finally we wish to reinforce that if anyone has seen or heard anything (no matter how insignificant it may be) to contact the Police.

We pray and hope that our “firefighter William” comes home soon.