Peru search continues for missing Shropshire man Harry Greaves as fund hits £14,000

Helicopters have been called in to help look for Mr Greaves,

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Mr Greaves, from Bronygarth near Oswestry, was visiting friends in Peru and told them he wanted to embark on a lone expedition.

Today his mother Sarah and cousin Lucy, who is a fluent Spanish speaker, were arriving in Peru in the hope of finding him.

A fundraising page has also been set up by Harry's friends to help fund money for his safe return and so far more than £14,000 has been raised.

www.gofundme.com/ThesearchforHarry - set up by Mel and Andy Hickie - says: "Harry is 5ft 10in tall, of athletic build and has blue/grey eyes.

"Whilst it may be that he decided to explore another area than previously planned, concern is mounting for Harry's safety and wellbeing.

Mr Greaves' sister Ellen Greaves said: "My cousin will be our main contact, co-ordinating everything that will be happening out there,"

"Police have told us nothing will happen until today at the earliest but Harry's friends, who he was staying with in Peru, have organised helicopter and night searches with locals."

Mr Greaves was last seen on April 7. His friends were expecting to see him the next day, but he didn't appear and he has not been seen since.

He makes furniture in the Oswestry area for his own company Marcher Furniture and also Wrexham company Silverlining Furniture.

Under his missing profile on the Lucie Blackman Trust website, which supports British nationals in crisis overseas, it says he flew to Peru on February 20. He was visiting friends and was planning to hike in the mountains of Kinsa Cocha.

Mr Greaves' family today described him as a "caring, compassionate, thoughtful person who tries to do the best by people".

Simon Greaves and Ellen Greaves, the father and sister of Harry Greaves, have spoken out in a bid to find him after he was last seen on April 7.

The pair have stayed in the UK awaiting updates from his mother and cousin Lucy.

Mr Greaves, 60, who lives in Bronygarth, said: "Harry is a lovely human, who is much loved by not just his family but also his friends.

"He's someone who's warm and interested in people, so it's been lovely to receive such supportive messages from people, even those who don't even know him.

"Of course it's a stressful and difficult time but we're bearing up. My wife and Harry's cousin have flown out there.

"I also think it's extremely important we are talking to the media because maybe a Shropshire Star reader knows somebody in Peru or knows someone with some sort of expertise you just don't know."

Mr Greaves said his son had an "adventurous streak" and although it was his first trip to South America, he had travelled alone before.

"When he was 18, he travelled to New Zealand, and was there for six months. He's travelled by himself in remote areas, so that isn't untypical of Harry to look for remote areas and challenging terrain," he said.

Mr Greaves also put down the challenging terrain as one of the reasons why his son has not been in contact.

He said: "It's quite difficult anyway to communicate due to the terrain, so that could be a reason we haven't heard from him."

Harry's sister, Ellen, who is living in Bristol but from Bronygarth, said they felt hopeful now family members were out in South America.

She said: "We're just hoping today's the day we hear something. We only found out on Thursday that he was missing, so by that time he'd already been gone a week, so we had to act right away.

"His friends over there have been to the area he was in and searched themselves but now a much more thorough search is underway, with local people helping, as well as a helicopter and mountain rescue.

"I'm fairly positive that we'll have some news soon, it's always changing but I'm more positive now that mum and Lucy are out there."

His sister said Harry is "one of the most thoughtful people she has ever met".

She said: "He is loved by all his friends and family. He's so loyal. He's caring, compassionate and thoughtful to sum him up in three words. He's very environmentally aware as well as socially aware. He tries to do the best by people."

Most recently prior to his trip, Harry, a former Weston Rhyn Primary School and Rhyn Park School pupil Harry was living and working in Wrexham.

His sister said it is "out of character" for him to be out of touch for so long. The 31-year-old said: "My cousin who speaks Spanish is our main contact, she's leading everything that will be happening out there. She's been calling the hospitals in the area to get any news from them. She's taking charge really. We've heard from his friends that the local police are now starting to push things along."

She also said local people have been making contact with local taxi firms, as he was last sighted by a taxi driver as he had been dropped him by one ahead of his trip up the mountain.

She said embarking on the trip alone was a "huge risk" but said she understood he had been prepared for the trek.

"We understand he went with provisions – with a tent and food," she said.

Matt Searle, of the Lucie Blackman Trust, said: "His friends have been doing their best over there but now we're continuing with external search teams."

Wild and off the beaten track:

It is one of the most interesting and picturesque locations on the planet – and it has become increasingly popular after being courted by celebrities including Gwyneth Paltrow.

The Hollywood actress this month returned to the Pisac area of Peru with her two children, Apple and Moses, for spring break.

She documented the trip online, sharing a selfie from a local market in Pisac before exploring the Incan village of Ollantaytambo.

Pisac is a Peruvian village in the Sacred Valley. It is situated at the Willkanuta River. The village is well known for its market, an attraction visited by Paltrow and packed with tourists.

But while some areas are becoming increasingly commercialised, it is easy to get off the beaten track. Travel companies advise visitors to stay in groups when venturing into the Peruvian forest or into the mountains.

Harry Greaves was well experienced and decided to travel alone on a lone expedition.

Friends say he is resourceful but any search is difficult in such an expansive area.