Kerry was joined by family members as she issued a fresh plea for help earlier this month, and while early reports claimed that new leads had emerged in the search for Ben, the heartbroken mum revealed this week that separating the valuable information from the fruitless has taken its toll on her.
Ben went missing during a family holiday on the Greek island of Kos back in 1991, when he was just 21 months old. The fresh appeal has produced 85 new calls and emails, as well as a black-and-white photo of a boy which the sender claims could be Ben.
Speaking to Closer magazine, Kerry admitted that she is afraid to get her hopes up, as she has endured many disappointments – on one occasion, where a 26-year-old came forward believing himself to be Ben.
“I flew out to meet him and as soon as I saw him I felt a connection and burst into tears. Everything inside me was telling me he was my son,” explained Kerry.
“We went through several DNA tests – I was devastated when it turned out he wasn’t my son. We keep in touch and have forged a friendship, which gives me comfort, but I just want Ben back,” she added.
Understandably, after so many years and so many disappointments, Kerry is afraid to get her hopes up over the new information that her recent appeal has produced.
“I’m hopeful the new information will lead to Ben, but I’ve got to protect myself from disappointment as well,” she added.
Our hearts go out to Kerry and the Needham family, and we hope their tragic story will eventually yield a happy ending.
