A specialist search team is due to carry out a three-day search in Stornoway for
Aleksandr Benga who was reported missing in November.
The team which is understood to include up to five search dogs are expected to focus
their activities in the Lews Castle Grounds where the 16-year-old was last seen on
18 November.
Over £7,000 has been donated to a fund raising campaign to help finance the search.
CalMac has generously offered to cover the ferry travel costs of the team.
Organisers are a small group of individuals who approached Aleksandr’s distraught
mum, Viktoria, to offer some help to try and find outside assistance.
They said: “With Viktoria’s blessing we have liaised with Specialist Search Dog,
a charity which had assisted in over 70 searches in Scotland alone.
“In addition to the dogs they also have drone specialists who will also be assisting
with the search.”
The team hope to arrive on Lewis in around two weeks.
The online fundraiser is to help with search costs including travel expenses for
the team coming from various locations in the UK, ferry costs, fuel, food and accommodation.
“Every single penny we raise will be used for the search and every single penny matters
so please give what you can,” say organisers.
Aleksandr is described as 6ft 2ins tall, of slim build with short brown hair. When
last seen, he was wearing a beige jumper and black jeans. He may also have a red
jacket and a yellow beanie hat.