CARDIFF, Wales, January 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Tracesmart, one of the UK's leading data specialists, has entered into a three-year agreement to support the charity Missing People. Tracesmart will give practical support and financial investment to help Missing People provide a lifeline to the 250,000 people who run away and go missing each year.

Founded in 1999, the Cardiff-based tracing company has helped many people to find friends and relatives who they have lost contact with. Tracesmart's online people search tool provides a fast and convenient way to find people (http://www.tracesmart.co.uk/) as well as allowing users to use their address finder (http://www.tracesmart.co.uk/address-finder/) tool and search the electoral register. (http://www.tracesmart.co.uk/electoral-roll/)

Commenting on the charity's new partnership with Tracesmart, Missing People's Chief Executive, Martin Houghton-Brown said: "Thanks to Tracesmart's generosity, Missing People will continue to act as a lifeline to the 250,000 people that go missing every year and support the heartbroken families left behind. There is such a great synergy between our organisations and we are looking forward to working together."

Owen Roberts, Tracesmart's Head of Public Relations elaborated: "When we learnt that currently one in four calls made to Missing People's helplines could not be answered, we were particularly eager to offer our support to enhance the charity's resources. We've already discussed future events that we can help promote and look forward to working with Missing People to support the fantastic and vital work that it provides."

The charity is currently campaigning for the rights of families of missing people. As well as having to cope with the emotional upset of losing someone, these families also have to deal with a huge financial strain. Due to current laws, closing someone's financial accounts can cost a family up to GBP25,000; Missing People are campaigning for a change in current legislation. Tracesmart recognises the stress and frustration that these families experience, and is providing Missing People with financial support to ensure this change in legislation becomes a reality.