'I want him back': Mum of Galashiels holidaymaker missing in Prague makes emotional appeal as search continues to find him
Last updated 2nd May 2024
The mother of a 29-year-old man from the Scottish Borders reported missing in Prague is making an emotional appeal for her son to come home.
Divers have been searching a river in the Czech capital for Joop Sparkes, who disappeared following a boat trip in the early hours of Sunday morning.
And mum Roonie Wilson revealed she fears he may have come to harm.
Speaking exclusively to Greatest Hits Radio from her home in Galashiels, she said: "I just love him, love him to bits; I want him back. I miss him too much."
Roonie revealed she warned her son to take care before he left on the weekend break, and has been left so stressed by this week's turn of events that she ended up being bed bound.
The Borderer is believed to have entered the Vltava River between 1am and 2am on Sunday, April 28th - near the Charles Bridge area - while wearing a black T-shirt.
"It's been a number of days now," Roonie said. "There is a fear that something's happened. It's been on my mind all the time, and I've tried not to think of it that way, but I just know there's something not right.
"I worry we're not going to get the closure we want. What I don't want to be is left in the dark, where we never ever see him; we want to find out what's happened, one way or the other."
A gofundme page has been set-up to support family and friends who have flown out to Prague to join the search.
As well as walking along the river bank and searching derelict buildings, they've also contacted local hospitals.
Roonie, who is being comforted by her rescue Poodle, Teddy Robinson, added: "A couple of guys are there; they're having a really hard time - they're just blaming themselves really. But you can't with Joop. Joop was always doing something crazy, he lived his life to the full."
WATCH: Click on the link below to hear from Joop's mum...
Joop, who works in construction, has been described as "a cherished son, brother, boyfriend, and uncle".
But family say it's out of character for him to be out of contact with his loved ones.
Roonie said: "He would let everyone know, he would. Everybody's thinking he's maybe slipped and banged his head, but there's just nothing, is there? Just that empty space."
A spokesperson from the local police said teams have been searching for Joop since the alarm was raised.
They added: "Several search operations have already taken place at the place of disappearance, but the man has not yet been found.
"A search of the CCTV footage in the area was also negative."
A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) added: "We are supporting the family of a British man who has gone missing in Czech Republic and are in contact with the local authorities."
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