A FUNDRAISING drive in aid of a Bradford family who are desperately searching for a missing woman has raised more than £500.

The family of Anita Stevenson - who disappeared nine days ago - have been going back and forth to Merseyside where she lives, handing out leaflets, and posting details on social media.

Anita, 39, is originally from Bradford and moved to Merseyside about three years ago with her partner.

Her sister, Thelina Oram, said: “We are handing out leaflets - we have been everywhere. I bet we are doing people’s heads in because most people have seen it on Facebook.

“But we cannot just leave it at that.

“We are absolutely desperate. We just want to know she is OK, even if she doesn’t want to come back.

“It is heartbreaking. Family and friends are going over there constantly. We have to keep doing it.”

Thelina said she had been to Merseyside every day since her sister disappeared, as had her parents.

“They are just devastated and worn out,” said Thelina. “But you just have to keep going and keep hoping that she is OK. Police have said to us that they don’t know how effective the leaflets will be. But we just have to keep pushing it - we have to keep going.”

Anita and Thelina’s brother has also been travelling regularly from Bridlington.

Anita has a son Jake, 19, and a three-year-old daughter. Thelina said the little girl knows nothing about her mum’s disappearance and has been told she is visiting her grandad in Bradford.

“Her daughter is asking for her,” said Thelina. “She has been staying with Anita’s boyfriend’s family over there and going to nursery as normal.

“We keep telling her she is with her grandad. She was with her mum every day, so it is a massive change for her.”

Jenni Styles, a friend of Anita, set up the fundraising webpage. She said: “Most of her family and friends live in Bradford and are travelling to Liverpool every day to try find her. They are also printing thousands of posters to hand out. I would like to raise some money to help them with the cost of travelling and printing. This is a heartbreaking time for us all, especially Anita’s family, so helping with cost will take a little bit of pressure off.”

To donate, visit justgiving.com and search for Anita Stevenson.

Anyone with information about Anita’s whereabouts can call police on 101, quoting log number 0902 of October 18.

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