An Albion Park mum is preparing to spend Mother's Day without her son, who has now been missing for almost three weeks.
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Gary Pearce, 21, was last seen in North Wollongong on April 23. He tried to call his mother, Jo-Ann, the next day but his family have not heard from him since.
Ms Pearce this week used a post on the 'Help find missing & lost people in Australia' Facebook page to issue another heartfelt plea for anyone with information about her son to come forward.
The worried mum said she didn't want to lose hope.
"This Sunday is Mothers day [sic] and I will do anything to hug my son again," she said in the Facebook post.
"If you are a mum, dad, sister, brother, just think about how it feels to be in our situation. We do not wish it on anyone."
Ms Pearce described Gary's disappearance as "out of character" and said the family "fear for his life".
Gary was last seen driving a white VY Holden Commodore station wagon with NSW registration BH21YN. The car had damage to its left-hand rear bumper.
Gary was described as 165-175cm tall, of medium build, with brown hair, an olive complexion, and a beard and moustache.
He also had several distinctive tattoos, including one on his skull saying "Ruthless" and two on his neck - one featuring dollar signs and the letter M and a second featuring the Minions cartoon characters.
Lake Illawarra detectives are investigating Gary's disappearance.
Anyone with information should call Lake Illawarra police on 4232 5599 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.