Imagine Christmas Day & not knowing where a loved one is

POL ALLINGHAM

- LIZZY BUCHAN

JESS Phillips remembers the fear of the knock at the door.

The Home Office minister spent years worrying about her brother Luke, a rough sleeper who was battling drug and alcohol addiction.

He is now sober and the siblings have rebuilt their relationship.

But the heartache was brought home to her again as she visited the Missing People charity this week.

The Mirror is raising money for the charity as more families than ever prepare to spend Christmas worrying about their loved ones.

At its HQ in Mortlake, South West London, Ms Phillips said: "Imagine the worst thing, it's torture. It seems like torture to me. These mothers sat in front of me today, feeling like they can't get what they need for their kids, that's torture in and of itself." She added: "There was a case of a sister trying to find her homeless drug-addicted brother. They are going to help find him. I have literally lived through this situation."