Social media helps find missing man

A 71-year-old man who was missing for 17 days has been found through ‘‘the power of social media’’.

Richard Ford was reported missing from his Tahunanui home in Nelson in late April after he hadn’t been seen since April 24, police said.

Hours after Stuff published a story that Ford was missing, police said he was found ‘‘safe and well’’.

Ford’s friend, Nick

Smith, said friends and family were relieved to have him back.

Ford was featured on Stuff after Smith made it his mission to house him after finding him sheltering in the rain.

Following the story, the community rallied round Ford, donating money, clothes and an electric bike.

Smith said Ford, who was homeless, had been ‘‘taking some time out’’ when he was found in the Richmond area ‘‘fit and healthy’’.

He said it was ‘‘the power of social media’’ which had led to Ford’s discovery.

Ford was ‘‘oblivious’’ to being reported as missing, Smith said.

He said family and friends would ‘‘rally around and support’’ Ford to ‘‘get him settled again’’. ‘‘We’re all committed to making sure he’s OK.’’