Youth group The Place hails 'amazing efforts' of community in search for missing man Shaun Banner as it serves as a makeshift operational hub for remarkable Easter Ross effort
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
AN Easter Ross youth group has hailed the "amazing efforts" of a missing man's friends and family in the wake of his devastating disappearance.
The Place in the heart of Alness has acted as a hub for community-led search efforts for Shaun Banner (34).
He was last seen near Invergordon railway station after midnight on April 23.
In addition to initial police searches and appeals, a community effort spearheaded by Shaun's family has seen hundreds of people get involved in a variety of capacities.
This has included the offer of specialist help in carrying out water searches.
Looking back on the search effort to date
In addition, scores of people have posted details of walks they have made keeping an eye out for any trace of the father, who was living in Invergordon.
The Place posted: "Many of you will be following the Search for Shaun page where you will see the amazing efforts being made by Shaun’s friends and family to bring him home.
"They have driven a relentless campaign and will not settle until they have concluded the search.
"The family are liaising with so many official agencies in an effort to find Shaun and they are swamped with kind messages and offers of help.
"The kindness shown to them has been overwhelming and humbling. They have publicly thanked those at the forefront of the search.
"We at The Place want to thank those who have helped behind the scenes enabling the family, friends and all those offering help to be able to access refreshments and food at all times of day and night. "The Place has opened its doors on the High Street as the hub of the search."
It went on to thank individuals, shops and companies for their help in supporting the charity to be able to be there for Shaun's family Alan, Hanella, Bex, Tia and Jack.
More than 850 people have been through the door of The Hub in the last 19 days.
Shaun's brother Alan, meanwhile, has sent out a thank you message of his own following more specialist help.
He posted: "Huge thank you to the Mark from MT Aerial Images and Tom Rennie for coming out today and doing searches within the Cromarty Firth with their underwater drone (not the technical term).
"Huge thanks must also go to Graeme and his team from the Port of Cromarty Firth, who provided us with a crew and boat to conduct our underwater searches today. This enable us access hard to reach areas of the Firth.
"We are open to trying anything at this point and we appreciate everyone’ support in our attempts.
"Continued shoreline and beach searches today you lot are incredible and many more thanks for our family.
"People really are amazing in your time of need."
