When Kerry Needham’s granddaughter Hermione turned two in February this year, it was a day filled with mixed emotions.
Whilst she felt happy seeing her granddaughter reach another milestone, part of her was heartbroken because she never got to share that special moment with her own son.
Ben Needham went missing in 1991 when he was just 21 months old - leading to an international police operation to find him.
Since his disappearance, Kerry and her daughter Leighanna, 22, have campaigned tirelessly for information about Ben, who would now be 26 - but despite numerous reported sightings, Ben vanished without trace.
Kerry, 43, from Sheffield, tells Closer:
“Hermione’s birthday was lovely but very emotional and so bittersweet. She’s brought us so much happiness and given us a reason to smile again.
"But at the same time I can’t help feeling heartbroken at what I’ve missed out on with Ben.
“I only got to celebrate one birthday with him, which is really hard. So many happy special moments were stolen from me.
“I often wonder how Ben celebrated his birthdays, what toys he got and picture him excitedly unwrapping his presents. I wish I could have been there.”
Read the rest of this story in Closer mag, out today.