Luke Howe (14), who has global development delays and autism, was last seen on Bankhall Lane at 6.13pm on Thursday evening after he ran away from his grandparents’ home.
He is wearing his school uniform – a blue sweatshirt and dark grey trousers.
Searches for him have been ongoing through the night and continue today with focuses on the River Bollin in Hale and the River Mersey in South Manchester.
Luke’s family have set up a facebook page for people to report any potential sightings or information and to co-ordinate the effort to find him.
The page has already been flooded with offers from members of the public who are unknown to Luke, to help search for the missing boy.
His family say Luke has ” no concept of danger” and is drawn to waterways so could be in Bollin, Mersey, or woods around Hale, Sale, Altrincham or Wythenshawe.
Anyone who sees him or knows of his whereabouts should call 101 or 999 immediately, quoting 2710 of 19/01/2024.