The family of missing Mid-North Coast toddler William Tyrell are "overwhelemed with the way" the community and volunteers have rallied together "to find our little Spiderman William."
NSW police released a statement from the family on Saturday.
"Thank you does not seem like the right sort of word to express our gratitude and heartfelt warmth we feel towards each and every one of you. We have been completely overwhelmed with the way the public, SES, Surf Life Saving, RFS and the Police have rallied together to find our little Spiderman William. You didn’t know us and we didn’t know you but today we feel that we are a part of your extended community and we are warmed & comforted by the way you have shared our love for William.
"William is only three years and three-months-old and really still a baby, he has so many more years to live and we desperately want him home. William up until a month ago was obsessed with all things Fire Engine and would tell us his name was “Firefighter William”… a future he deserves to fulfil.
"To the residents of Benaroon Drive: Within minutes of hearing that William was missing everyone came out and helped with the search, we were amazed at how quickly you came to help. Thank you. We would also like to say a big thank you for your patience and co-operation with Police in the search for little William.
"To the Police: As well as William loving all things Fire Engines and Fire Fighters he was also enamoured by the Police and he would have been beside himself to see the amount of Police Cars and Police officers at Nana’s house. And also, like all little boys, he would have been asking you about your guns! We know how hard you have all been working – your dedication to finding little William has astounded us and we, from the bottom of our hearts, say “thank you so much”; it has given us strength and hope that William will be returned to us soon. We also want to thank those of you who we have got to know for your personal support and commitment to the search for William.
"To the SES: We have seen you day and night searching for William; even when we couldn’t sleep at 3am we saw you walking around with torches and driving the cars. We thank you deeply and we know that for each and every one of you “it’s more than just a job”.
"To the Surf Life Saving and RFS: Thank you for taking the time away from your families and your other volunteering efforts.
"To the Kendall community: You are amazing, every day we would hear how many volunteers had shown up at the showground and every day the numbers got bigger. People had taken time off work, we saw a lady pushing a pram and holding a baby on her front walking looking for William, we saw a man walking his push bike looking for William, and we saw everyday people just like us in the bush and on the road looking for our little boy. And every day – all through the day – people were dropping off food and drinks to support the searchers.
"Thank you so much! You should feel very proud of yourselves and the community. Finally we wish to reinforce that if anyone has seen or heard anything (no matter how insignificant it may be) to contact the police. We pray and hope that our “firefighter William” comes home soon."
This was the message from the Mid-North Coast’s most senior police officer on Saturday as more than 70 emergency services personnel and volunteers began day eight of their desperate search to find three-year-old William Tyrell.
The days are long - with early starts and midnight finishes – but Superintendent Paul Fehon says the determination to find the little Kendall boy in the Spiderman gear is unwavering.
On Saturday, officers expanded their search to the south of the Middle Brother National Park and also began searching to the north of the Kendall township as well for even the slightest trace of the toddler.
“We’re looking for anything that may indicate where young William has gone in the hope of a new starting point for information regarding his unexplained disappearance,” Supt Fehon said.
On Friday officers had also set up a canvass area and stopped cars and spoke to drivers near Batar Creek Rd about what they may have seen in relation to William’s disappearance a week ago.
With no stone unturned in their search of bushland surrounding William's grandmother’s home, Supt Fehon told Fairfax they’re not ruling out any possibilities in this priority case.
“One thing I can say is, we’re not giving up until we locate young William,” he said. “Our search has been thorough and obviously we are open to any possibilities.
“Any avenue of inquiry will be looked at - and that includes the aspect of human intervention in regard to his disappearance.”
As the search continues – concerned locals and the wider community have shown their support on social media.
Thousands of Facebook users have changed their profile photos to posters of the little boy are and asking for their friends to spread the word.
“Anything that generates further exposure to help with information to find young William can only be good,” Supt Fehon said.
