Former Great
British Bake Off winner John Whaite has revealed his sister has been found alive in Portugal, after issuing a desperate plea to help locate her.
John’s sister Victoria Cunningham had last been seen at Faro Airport in the Algarve on Monday evening, when she was turned away from a flight for having been “unable to board her flight” due to having been intoxicated and in a distressed state, which he put down to her depression and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
After Victoria’s boyfriend left her at the airport, John said he was worried about her being alone and seemingly without money or her passport, revealing hours later that she had been found.He tweeted: “I am delighted to say that Victoria has been found. She is alive, she is sober but she is very very distressed (it seems she was found JUST in time).
“A stranger recognised her and took her into her house. Each and every one of you, who has tweeted, shared and commented, has saved a life today. And I cannot thank you enough - you are all angels.”I am delighted to say that Victoria has been found. She is alive, she is sober but she is very very distressed (it seems she was found JUST in time) Thread— John Whaite (@John_Whaite) August 6, 2019A stranger recognised her and took her into her house. Each and every one of you, who has tweeted, shared and commented, has saved a life today. And I cannot thank you enough - you are all angels. Thread https://t.co/bfAAx5eES2— John Whaite (@John_Whaite) August 6, 2019We are now going to focus on getting her home and back in good health in the privacy and protection of our family. My gratitude to each one of you is undying. You’ve helped save a sister, a daughter and a mother - thank you. ❤️ https://t.co/cX3CQqEE8F— John Whaite (@John_Whaite) August 6, 2019Thanking high-profile stars like Alan Carr and Amanda Holden for helping spread the word, John also expressed his gratitude to media outlets for being “so gentle and helpful in this matter”.
“If you wish to continue to help, please research in depth PMDD,” he wrote. “Spread the word and hopefully more lives will be saved.”
John – who rose to fame as the winner of the Great British Bake Off in 2012 – had previously tweeted that concerned friends and family had flown out to the Algarve to help look for Victoria.
Useful websites and helplines:Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI - this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill.)The Mix is a free support service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email: help@themix.org.ukRethink Mental Illness offers practical help through its advice line which can be reached on 0300 5000 927 (open Monday to Friday 10am-4pm). More info can be found on www.rethink.org.