08 June 2007
Years slip away... but Matthew still yearns for his mum
FIVE years ago tomorrow a gaping hole was torn in the life of a Leeds boy when his mother vanished without trace. Now a bustling seven-year-old, Matthew Hardcastle and his doting grandparents Cath and Paul Hardcastle who raised him, wonder whether he will ever see his mum – their daughter – again.
But they and police are convinced that 33-year-old psychiatric nurse Sarah Hardcastle can be reached if she or someone with vital information gets in contact.
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An unconfirmed sighting of Sarah near Leeds railway station suggests she may still have links to the city.
Today her mum, Cath said: "Initially when Sarah disappeared it was horrendous just waiting for someone to say they knew where she was. But my long term focus has to be Matthew to ensure that he is safe and secure in case Sarah does return.
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After attending an east Leeds primary school, Sarah moved to Garforth Comprehensive where she gained a string of GCE O-levels and three A-levels.
She got into university near Manchester to study drama, but after a time Sarah decided it was not for her and left. For a while she did office work in the Huddersfield area, before applying to train as a nurse in Hull and qualified in psychiatric nursing in her mid 20s.
Sarah became pregnant in 1999, but she and Matthew's father did not stay together when he was born in March 2000. She returned to live with her parents in Whitkirk, Leeds.
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Later she got a flat nearby, a psychiatric nursing job at Seacroft Hospital and with great support from Cath and Paul, began the demanding role of life as a working single mum. Later she changed jobs to be a careworker with the mental health charity MIND.
But she began to suffer depression – possibly linked to her pregnancy and received medical treatment. Then In February 2002 Sarah went missing for a week before making contact with her parents from the Manchester area. She appeared to improve but on May 10 that year, after leaving Matthew at her child minder's, Sarah disappeared again. Alerted by her parents, police launched an inquiry and 17 days later she was found in a confused condition in a Liverpool hospital.
Sarah returned to Leeds and went to stay at a care hostel in Meanwood.
Sadly because of her condition Cath and Paul were unable to see Sarah before she vanished for a third and final time on June 9.
The search for Sarah has continued ever since.
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When Sarah vanished she was described as being: white, 5 ft 7in tall and athletically built with short natural dark brown hair dyed a reddish colour. He dress style has always been casual and could include jeans and trainers.
Her family suspect she may well be living alone.
Years slip away... but Matthew still yearns for his mum
