The Salvation Army is encouraging the public to mark United Nations Day of the Family on 15 May by getting back in touch with loved ones with whom they have lost contact.

The month of May is Missing Persons Awareness Month and The Salvation Army Family Tracing Service and other missing persons charities including the Missing Persons Helpline and the Red Cross are raising awareness of the options available to help trace missing people.

The Salvation Army is renowned for its long history of helping those in need but perhaps but one of its lesser known services is its family tracing agency, which is one of the oldest in the world.

Dating back to 1885, The Salvation Army Family Tracing Service seeks to promote reconciliation with lost relatives and works closely with colleagues and volunteers in many of the 111 countries in which The Salvation Army operates.

"The Salvation Army Family Tracing Service is keen to encourage families who have lost contact to start a search and re-establish family relationships," says FTS director Major Mike Sebbage.

"People lose touch for all sorts of reasons, for instance when relationships breakdown, or simply failing to keep in touch when moving away for a new job, a new home or to travel.

"As a Christian organisation, The Salvation Army is keen to encourage strong family relationships, and the Family Tracing Service is an important aspect of our work, helping people to re-establish relationships with their relatives. This can often fill in the missing parts of their lives."