Day 2556: 02 May 2014 Monday, Madeleine Beth McCann, 3rd May 2014 - Seventh Anniversary Since Madeleine’s Abduction

MAY 2014

 

Day 2556: 02 May 2014 Monday, Madeleine Beth McCann 

Updates 

3rd May 2014 - Seventh Anniversary Since Madeleine’s Abduction

Seven years without our daughter, seven years without a big sister for Sean and Amelie. Sometimes we feel totally stuck for words. A lot of the time there are no words. Our situation seems as unbelievable as it did that very first night without Madeleine.

 

Whenever I find myself becoming paralysed with disbelief, unease, frustration or sadness, I have to refocus my mind on the positives, of which there are many.

 

The Metropolitan Police force continue to make encouraging progress in their investigation with new evidence being uncovered, fresh information coming in to the inquiry following appeals and subsequently, links being made between people and events. We are hugely grateful to the general public for continuing to support the investigation, especially those who have found the courage to come forward with information despite difficult circumstances. Whilst the MPS are cautiously optimistic of beginning enquiries on the ground in Portugal in the near future, we really hope that this will turn into a concerted effort from the Portuguese authorities as we know there is still a lot to do. Working together is key to the progress of the investigation and a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) could provide a more streamlined way of working with less bureaucracy. It may be seven years since we last saw Madeleine but the passing of further weeks and months as a result of unnecessary delays and barriers are not only frustrating, they are incredibly distressing. Each day without Madeleine and each day of not knowing is another day too many, regardless of how much time has already gone by.

 

May is an important month for all missing children and their families worldwide with May 25th being International Missing Children’s Day. This May is particularly special in the UK as a new enhanced Child Rescue Alert (CRA) system (to help find abducted and missing children in serious danger) is to be launched by the charity Missing People and the National Crime Agency. This system (based on the highly effective ‘Amber Alert’ in the USA) I believe, will help to save the lives of abducted children and ease the suffering faced by their families. It’s a very exciting step forward.

 

Throughout the whole month, the charity Missing People are running a ‘Forget-Me-Not’ campaign with several different ways for the public to get involved to help find missing children. One really important and simple way you can get on board is by signing up to the Child Rescue Alert. By registering, you will receive an alert with relevant information, by text or email, when a child is abducted in your area. This way you can join the search immediately and play a vital role in helping to find a child in danger. Please take a minute to visit www.childrescuealert.org.uk and sign up today. There are several other ways to help too – Take a look on www.missingpeople.org.uk.

 

It goes without saying, but needs to be said….We are grateful beyond words for the continued and unwavering commitment, help and love from all our faithful supporters. Thank you SO much for keeping Madeleine in your hearts.

 

 

SEVEN YEARS.

STILL MISSING.

STILL MISSED.

NEVER FORGOTTEN.

THANK YOU.

Kate

Day 1967: 20 September 2012 Thursday, Madeleine Beth McCann

Day 1967: 20 September 2012 Thursday, Madeleine Beth McCann 

 

Updates

20 September, 2012

Thank you to everybody who has supported our summer campaign again. By displaying the new poster, car sticker or luggage tag of Madeleine, awareness of her plight is maintained, as is our appeal to the general public to keep looking for her.

 

We are constantly thinking of new ways to improve our search for Madeleine: we don’t know what it will be, or what it will take to bring us that vital call. It may even turn out to be a simple case of ‘the right place at the right time’ which is why we need to persevere in our efforts and to keep prompting people.

 

The Metropolitan Police are continuing with the investigative review and we are really encouraged by their work. We continue to hope that the case will be re-opened in Portugal in the near future so that the investigation to find our daughter can be resumed.

 

The nationwide campaign that I’ve been involved in, as part of my ambassadorial role for the charity ‘Missing People’, is now in its tenth week. This campaign has been possible thanks to the generous help of the Outdoor Media Centre and its members in partnership with the team at Missing People. Images of missing children and adults have been displayed on huge billboards in many cities throughout the UK, appealing to the general public for help. Already many vulnerable have been found since the campaign started which is obviously fantastic news. Thank you to everyone who has supported this initiative and responded to these appeals. Your help is invaluable. (More updates in due course)

 

We continue to feel humbled but at the same time buoyed by the amount of support we still receive from so many people. It helps us enormously and undoubtedly helps our search for Madeleine too. Thank you. 

Kate

Day 1849: 25 May 2012 Friday. Madeleine Beth McCann , International Missing Children’s Day

Day 1849: 25 May 2012 Friday. Madeleine Beth McCann  

 

Updates  
 

Friday, 25th May, is International Missing Children’s Day (IMCD)– a day to remember the many thousands of children who go missing every year from all around the world.

 

We hope that this date will become ingrained in people’s minds as we work together to tackle this vast and devastating problem.

 

This year in the UK, IMCD has been marked by the launch of two highly valuable initiatives:

 

 

 1. The charity ‘Missing People’  (www.missingpeople.org.uk) have launched a new single telephone number, 116 000, as the number to call for advice, help and support if you, or your loved one go missing. It is free, available 24 hours a day and confidential.  

 

(NB: To report a missing child, call 999)

 

2. The ‘Child Exploitation and Online Protection’ centre (CEOP; www.ceop.police.uk ) in association with 'Parents & Abducted Children together’ (PACT; www.pact-online.org ) have launched a brand new version of the MissingKids website, www.missingkids.co.uk . This website includes information and appeals about the many missing children, in or from the UK, and enables law enforcement agencies to disseminate data and photographs of these children worldwide. The website is an important tool for finding missing children and reuniting them with their families.

 

Our appeal to you:

 

Every year in the UK alone, more than a quarter of a million people are reported missing. An estimated 140,000 are children. Behind every missing child or adult case is a family suffering immensely through heartache and confusion.

 

 Please remember the new number, 116 000. Store it in your mobile phone and pass it on to others. One day, you might just need it, and then it will be a lifeline.

 

Visit www.missingkids.co.uk  and circulate the web address to your contacts. Please spend ten minutes looking through the different pictures of missing children on the website. It has been estimated that one missing child in seven (1 in 7!) is found because a member of the general public has recognised them after seeing their photograph. Every one of us can make a difference.

 

And finally, thank you to the Government, the charities and organisations, the businesses and the general public for helping to raise awareness, providing critical resources and for joining the search. Let’s keep it going!

Kate

 

Day 1845: 21 May 2012 Monday. Madeleine Beth McCann, Find Madeleine Campaign Joins Big Tweet for Missing Children

Day 1845: 21 May 2012 Monday. Madeleine Beth McCann

 

Campaign Page

 

Find Madeleine Campaign Joins Big Tweet for Missing Children

 

On International Missing Children’s Day 25 May, 2012 the Find Madeleine Campaign will join Stephen Fry in helping to safely reconnect missing children by taking part in the charity Missing People’s Big Tweet for Missing Children. 

 

The charity will be tweeting a different appeal for a missing child every 30 minutes for 24 hours. The Find Madeleine Campaign is supporting this creative digital campaign by retweeting the appeals that Missing People tweet to their followers. 

 

Stephen Fry, a patron of Missing People said, “A staggering 130,000 children go missing in the UK every year. On International Missing Children’s Day (Friday 25 May), I will once again join the charity Missing People in harnessing the power of Twitter to help find missing children via The Big Tweet for Missing Children. You can take part too, by retweeting the appeals for missing children that the charity will tweet every 30 minutes. 

 

On this day, the charity will also be launching 116 000 – the new hotline number to call or text for support if you or someone you love goes missing. So please add #116000 to all your tweets and help to spread the word about this important new number. You never know when someone you love might need it.” 

 

 On the same day, the charity Missing People will also be working with the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) and Parents & Abducted Children Together (PACT) to launch a new Missing Kids website.  

 

If you would like to join the Find Madeleine Campaign in taking part in the Big Tweet for Missing Children, you can find more information at www.missingpeople.org.uk/bigtweet2012  

 

Thank you for helping to find missing children.

Day 1482: 24/05/2011 Tuesday. Madeleine Beth McCann: The Big Tweet on International Missing Children's Day

Day 1482: 24/05/2011 Tuesday. Madeleine Beth McCann

 

The Big Tweet on International Missing Children's Day   

Campaign page   

Help find missing children by retweeting appeals on International Missing Children's Day (IMCD). Missing People will be tweeting an appeal for a different missing child every 30 minutes for 24 hours on their official Twitter account. 

 

All you have to do to show your support is retweet one, some, or all of @missingpeople's appeal tweets using the hash tag #imcd as they go out. Let's make #imcd trend! 

WHAT: The Big Tweet for Missing Children - a Twitter marathon to mark IMCD.

 

WHEN: Wednesday, 25 May, 2011, for 24 hours beginning at 00.01 BST

Day 1472: 14/05/2011 Saturday to Day 1481: 23/05/2011 Monday. No Update

Day 1472: 14/05/2011 Saturday to Day 1481: 23/05/2011 Monday
No Update

 

 

[Day 1474 Index page, campaign page, Video Appeal, May 2011
please help us spread these videos virally]

Day 1154: 30/06/2010 Wednesday. Madeleine Beth McCann: Missing Children: Kate's Message

JUNE 2010 

Day 1154: 30/06/2010 Wednesday. Madeleine Beth McCann

Missing Children: Kate's Message

 

It is only since Madeleine was taken from us, that Gerry and myself have become aware of just how many children go missing each year from all around the world. The scale of the problem is huge. In fact, it is terrifying. I have asked myself many times "why did I not know about this? Am I that naive or is it the fact that the problem itself is not well publicised for whatever reason?"

It is impossible to give a number for the amount of children that go missing but suffice to say it is hundreds of thousands. This includes ‘runaway’ children, parental/family abductions and' ’stranger’ abductions such as in Madeleine's case. The reason for the lack of precision with regards to number of cases, appears to be that there is as yet (in the UK and many countries throughout Europe at least), no standard method for collecting, recording and categorising data. Without this, it is not possible to implement strategies to tackle the problem - recover children and reunite them with their families as soon as possible. PACT (Parents and Abducted Children Together) is one of the organisations in the UK trying to propose/request such national policies be brought in to place by the Government. Surely our children deserve this?

 

Madeleine's abduction itself was quite unusual, in that it was the abduction of a 'foreign national'. This introduced unique difficulties, not least a language barrier. Given that people and families travel quite extensively nowadays particularly within a ‘borderless’ Europe, we believe that a Europe-wide response to the problem is mandatory. I would think that not an unreasonable request of countries belonging to a ‘European Union’’

 

It is fair to say that the USA is probably at least 20 years ahead when it comes to dealing with the problem of missing and abducted children. NCMEC (National Center for Missing and Exploited Children) was founded in 1984 by John and Reve Walsh after they sadly experienced the frustration and lack of effective response available, when their own son, Adam, was abducted and subsequently found murdered in Florida in 1981. NCMEC now offers a vast range of invaluable resources to law enforcement agencies, helping to investigate cases of missing children and child exploitation cases as well as training and education. These resources along with the AMBER Alert system which operates in the USA (a nationwide effort between police departments and the media to blanket local airwaves immediately with information and photograghs when a child is abducted) have led to the safe recovery of many children. Needless to say, the Americans have a great deal of experience and knowledge to offer, and we need to learn from them if we wish to make Europe and the rest of the world a safer place for our children. In recent years, similar ‘Child Rescue Alert’ systems have been introduced in certain European countries- Belgium, France, UK and Greece but we have a long, long way to go.

 

Gerry and I have been criticised at times for publicising Madeleine's disappearance. We did what we felt was best at that time, obviously having no experience of such ordeals. Thankfully NCMEC has assured us that this was the right thing to do. People have asked (usually in a critical manner) ?why has Madeleine received such attention when there are thousands of missing children around the world?? My feeling is that the publicity surrounding Madeleine's abduction was not inappropriate- Every child in such a situation should receive this same amount of attention, but it shouldn't be down to the family to instigate it. The public awareness of Madeleine's plight has at the very least, highlighted cases of other missing children and the extent of the problem as a whole, and from that we can take a small bit of comfort.

 

All missing children are vulnerable to exploitation including sexual exploitation, with this being the motive in many of those cases of stranger abductions where a motive can be determined. Child sexual exploitation and child pornography in particular, is sadly and shockingly extensive worldwide. It is a multi-billion dollar industry aided by the use of the Internet with the ‘thirst’ for younger victims growing. Once again, my ‘bubble’ of a life burst as I began to discover the facts relating to this now global crisis. As we travelled through Europe in an attempt to raise awareness of Madeleine's abduction and appeal for help, we were repeatedly made aware of the unbelievable existence of such a horrifying activity and its vastness in our so called civilised and ‘child-loving’ society. How can such ‘businesses’ be condoned or tolerated by us all? What are the benefits for our children of being in a European Union where several member countries offer child pornography as a LEGAL past time? The most vulnerable members of our society are our children and they deserve better than this. Lack of sex offender registers, lack of reliable tracking systems for known offenders and no CRB check requirements , not even for those working with children are other major areas of concern within many parts of Europe. My eyes have certainly been opened to a whole new world out there - a very worrying one.

 

As a parent of an abducted child, I can tell you that it is the most painful and agonising experience you could ever imagine. My thoughts of the fear, confusion and loss of love and security that my precious daughter has had to endure are unbearable - crippling. And yet I am not the victim, Madeleine is. No child should EVER have to experience something so terrible.

 

Day 955: 13/12/2009 Sunday to Day 960: 18/12/2009 Friday No Update. New entry pages

Day 955: 13/12/2009 Sunday to Day 960: 18/12/2009 Friday No Update

 

18-12-09- NEW ENTRY PAGES CHRISTMAS APPEAL CAPTIONS

 

All we want this Christmas is for Madeleine to be home.

If you know something say something

 

Christmas is a time for children. Please help us bring ours back

 

Madeleine is just one of many children who aren't with their families this Christmas. Please spare a thought for them.

 

There will be a spare place at the Christmas table again this year.

If you know anything - do the right thing and help us fill it.

 

There's only one thing Madeleine wants for Christmas - and thats to be back home. If you know where she might be please help.

 

Day 921: 09/11/2009 Monday. Madeleine Beth McCann

NOVEMBER 2009

Day 921: 09/11/2009 Monday. Madeleine Beth McCann

 

UPDATE: [Date Gerry used November 8th 2009] 

Earlier this week, the Child Exploitation and Online Protection centre (CEOP) launched a special message, an appeal, to the person who knows or strongly suspects who was involved in Madeleine's abduction. The aim of this initiative was (and still is) to prick the conscience of that person who knows and prompt them to come forward with that key piece of information which could lead to Madeleine coming home. The more people we can reach worldwide with this message, the greater the chance of us reaching that person who knows. And the more times this message reaches that person, the greater the chance of them doing the right thing and passing on the information that they have been keeping secret. With this in mind, we would like to thank everyone around the world, individuals and organisations, who have helped us by watching this special message on-line and forwarding it on to their friends, business contacts and network communities. We are once again overwhelmed and uplifted by the amazing commitment and kindness shown by the general public in our efforts to find Madeleine. The message can still be viewed, downloaded and forwarded in 7 different languages from www.ceop.police.uk We would be really grateful for your continued help. Together, we can reach that person who knows.  

 

If you are that person, remember that it is never too late to do the right thing. This will never go away until we have found Madeleine. We love her too much. Please do the right thing by giving that information to your local police. Alternatively, please call the 'Find Madeleine' investigation team on +44 (0)845 838 4699 or email the team at investigation@findmadeleine.com.One email or one phone-call ? and this nightmare could be over for everyone.

Day 872: 21/09/2009 Monday. Madeleine Beth McCann

Day 872: 21/09/2009 Monday. Madeleine Beth McCann  

[Date Kate used September 13th 2009] 

At the start of August this year, our investigators appealed to the general public for more information following a credible account by a witness. This related to a lady acting suspiciously in Barcelona on the 7th May 2007 in the early hours of the morning. Our investigators received approximately 1000 emails and phone calls following this appeal and have been busy working through this information. Thank you to everybody who passed information on to our team.We would like to encourage anyone who may still have potentially relevant information to come forward. It is important to note that although the witness thought that the woman in question may have had an Australian accent, it ispossible that this may not be the case.

 

At the end of August, we learnt of the discovery of JayceeLee Dugard, 28 years after she was abducted at the age of 11. There was nothing new here for Gerry and me, as we have been told of many cases of missing children who have been found years after they were taken from their families. It is important though, as it emphasises yet again how vital it is to never give up on missing children and how criminal and unjust to assume they are no longer alive. A missing child cannot be expected to find their way home, we need to find them. It is tragic and heartbreaking to think of the life which has been stolen from Jaycee and her family. We hope and pray that they will be able now to find the happiness and peace that they all deserve.

 

Last week, a judge in Portugal decided to pass an injunction against Goncalo Amaral's book and documentary in which he insists that Madeleine is dead and implies that Gerry and I were somehow involved in her disappearance. Nothing can be more soul-destroying for a parent than for somebody to 'write off' your missing child (for whatever reason) without any evidence to support such a theory. The anguish and torment that we have suffered as a result of Mr. Amaral's unfounded claims and actions has been immense, compounding the pain and sadness we feel every day without Madeleine in our lives. Madeleine deserves so much more than treatment like this. She is still missing and we will never give upon her.

 

It is important to remember that the good people far outweigh the bad, even though those with cruel intentions can bring you down. Every day we still receive a small bundle of supportive letters to our home and kind messages via the website, as well as positive words from passers-by. After a ‘not so good' day, it is this kindness and solidarity that lifts us up and keeps us going. To those people, we are so grateful and we will never forget the great benefit of simple human kindness.Thank you from all our family.

Day 826: 06/08/2009 Thursday. Madeleine McCann - New Information Appeal over “Australian" Woman

AUGUST 2009


Day 826: 06/08/2009 Thursday. Madeleine Beth McCann

 

Updates: Madeleine McCann - New Information Appeal over “Australian" Woman

Link

A witness has come forward to give the investigators currently searching for Madeleine McCann new information about a suspicious incident that took place in Barcelona in the early hours of May 7th 2007 - just over 72 hours after Madeleine was abducted whilst on holiday in Praia da Luz in Portugal.  

 

The 41-year-old British witness was attending a party with a group of other men in the area of the Port Olimpic Marina in Barcelona. It is a busy location that is popular with both tourists and local people. The group had been visiting a number of bars and restaurants in the marina area on the evening of the May 6th 2007 and into the early hours of May 7th 2007.  

 

At around 2.00am on May 7th, the witness became aware of a well-dressed woman, who he describes as appearing agitated. She was seen in the area of the El Rey De La Gamba restaurant-bar for some ten minutes, walking up and down. 

 

 

The witness got up and walked towards the woman and had a short conversation with her. This conversation was potentially significant to the investigation. However, for strict operational reasons, the investigators will not be divulging any details of what was said to the witness. 

 

It is as a result of this conversation that the investigators now want to trace the woman, who they believe to be possibly Australian.  

mf...

 

Following the conversation the woman sat down in another nearby bar. A further person from the same party group also saw her there. At this bar the woman had a heated discussion with someone in what seemed to be fluent Spanish.

The woman was last seen walking away in the direction of a local hospital and the more distant ferry and cruise ship terminals.

 

The woman is described by the principal witness as follows:  

White  

Aged 30 to 35 years  

Slim build  

Short brown hair  

Approximately 5"2 tall  

Wearing expensive looking blue jeans and a jersey top, possibly pastel colour 

Her build equated to a size 10 dress size.

 

The witness described her as "a bit of a Victoria Beckham look-a-like". She spoke English with what the witness has described as "possibly an Australian" accent.  The investigators now hope the international media, in particular Australian and Spanish broadcasters, will help to distribute the attached e-fit of the woman, which has been prepared by a police artist, as widely as possible.

 

The British witness does not wish to be identified publicly. The investigators have already conducted some preliminary inquiries in the vicinity of the Port Olimpic

 

Marina and are continuing to liaise with relevant police forces where necessary.

 

Anyone who may know the woman should contact the Madeleine McCann investigation team on +44 845 838 4699 or via the Madeleine McCann investigation email address: investigation@findmadeleine.com

Day 720: 22/04/2009 Wednesday. Madeleine Beth McCann

APRIL 2009
Day 720: 22/04/2009 Wednesday. Madeleine Beth McCann 

 

Day Gerry used Thursday 22 April 2009   

It has been an incredibly busy couple of months. We have been working on 2 main areas: appeals for new information and awareness raising.

 

The appeal for new information was launched with a local campaign in and around Praia da Luz starting at the end of March. We have had leaflets delivered to local households as well as A-vans, buses and billboards with posters in Portuguese asking for people with information to come forward. The message is that we must not give up on Madeleine and that if someone knows something, it is not too late to do the right thing. 

 

The second aspect of the new appeals is a reconstruction of key sightings and other information from within the files that may generate new leads. These were decided by our senior detective, and will appear in a documentary, which will be screened in the UK by Channel Four on May 7th.  This involved filming in and around the site from where Madeleine was taken. We had hoped to do the filming quietly but it did generate a large amount of media attention and I apologised to the local people for this unfortunate disruption.

 

It is likely that the programme will be screened in Portugal and other European countries and we are very hopeful that this will generate new leads. Since the case has officially closed, it is vital for Kate and me that we continue to try and discover new information that may help us find Madeleine.

 

In conjunction with the fresh appeals will be continued awareness raising. Although Madeleine disappeared in Portugal she could have been moved out of the country very easily and at this time she could be anywhere in the world. As it is almost 2 years since Madeleine was kidnapped we will also be launching a new 'age progression' photograph. This has been produced by graphics experts at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) in the USA. We will be visiting NCMEC this week and then appearing on the Oprah Winfrey show to promote this new image. The Oprah show is broadcast in over 100 countries worldwide and will ensure the new image is disseminated as widely as possible. The poster will be available to download in the support section in the near future.

 

Finally we would like to thank you all for the continuing support in the ongoing search for Madeleine ' including all the kind messages and thoughts sent for Mother's Day and Easter. It all helps 'thank you!

 

We must never give up on Madeleine. 

Gerry

Day 690: 23/03/2009 Monday. Madeleine Beth McCann

MARCH 2009

Day 690: 23/03/2009 Monday. Madeleine Beth McCann 

March 23 2009 As the second anniversary of Madeleine's abduction approaches, there is much still to be done. We continue to remain focussed on our aim - to find Madeleine and bring her back home safely. As Madeleine's parents we cannot and will not ever stop doing all we can to find her

 

The search for Madeleine continues with the same strength and determination, and thankfully, there are many people who are continuing to help in a variety of ways. The reduction in media reporting does not signify a lack of effort - far from it! If anything, the search for Madeleine goes on with renewed vigour and great experience. We have quietly and persistently been working very hard - exploring all possible avenues in order to get that key piece of information. Someone somewhere knows where Madeleine is.

 

It is impossible for us to ignore the day to day heartache of missing Madeleine but there is however, a very important and positive fact that remains.... In spite of all the investigative work done, there is still absolutely nothing to suggest harm to Madeleine and therefore, a very real likelihood that Madeleine is alive and well. You only have to recall the cases of Elizabeth Smart, Shawn Hornbeck and Natascha Kampusch to appreciate that children can seem to disappear 'off the radar' for very long periods of time. The return of these children to their families not only gives us great hope but also starkly emphasises that perseverance is essential, and surely what every such child deserves.

 

It is vital that we never, ever give up on Madeleine.

 

Can you imagine a little girl or boy out there, hoping and waiting to be found but for people then to 'write them off', forget about them, just because there's been no 'news'' For that child never to be reunited with their family because everyone had given up on them' Just imagine.......................

 

And so, we will never, ever give up.We urge you to remember Madeleine as a real, living and findable little girl.Our most sincere thanks go everyone who is helping us in our efforts. You know why we must keep going.Please don't give up on Madeleine

 

Day 690 : 23/03/2009   Monday         

 

Press release PDF document

On the 3rd May 2007, 3 yr old Madeleine McCann was abducted from the  Ocean Club in Praia da Luz, since then, despite extensive enquiries Madeleine is still missing.

It is almost two years since Madeleine McCann disappeared and there is good reason to believe that she is still alive. Madeleine's family and friends will never give up hope.

 

At the time of Madeleine's disappearance the emphasis was placed more on international appeals and it has been recognised that the local Portuguese residents of Praia da Luz and the surrounding areas have never been properly asked about information they may have to give.

 

The purpose of the current campaign is to do just that; ask the local Portuguese residents for information to help to find Madeleine.

 

Experience shows that the crucial answers are in the immediate vicinity, someone in the area could almost certainly have the vital information that could help Madeleine's return to her family, or a combination of people all coming forward with a single piece of information could piece together vital clues which could solve the disappearance.

 

Experience also shows that people almost always confide in someone else. Someone in Praia da Luz may have been given information that should be passed on and now is the perfect opportunity to do just that, if  anyone has information of any kind, do the right thing and pass it on so that Madeleine McCann can go home.

 

The campaign is about finding Madeleine. Her family hope and believe that local residents can be a very real help. It goes without saying that they would forever be indebted to anyone who had that vital piece of information.

 

Over the next couple of weeks in the Lagos and Luz areas residents will see posters, billboards and advertisements, leaflets will be distributed in towns and local markets and there will also be a mailing sent to local, homes appealing for help.It should be stressed that any information given will be treated with the utmost confidence. Information can be given anonymously by telephone,  email, text and freepost.

Day 374: 11/05/2008 Sunday. Madeleine Beth McCann

Day 374: 11/05/2008 Sunday , Madeleine Beth McCann  

It has been another busy week. We have been inundated with mail that we are working through. Kate and I would like to thank everyone who has helped and supported us over the last twelve months. It is the support we have received from family, friends, and the overwhelming response of the general public that has sustained us. Special thanks to everyone who has contributed to Madeleine's Fund, which has allowed us to continue the independent investigation to find Madeleine.

 

Following our renewed appeal there has been a tremendous response to both the call line (+44 (0)845 838 4699) and the e-mail addresses (anonymous@findmadeleine.com and investigation@findmadeleine.com). Hundreds of calls and e-mails have been received and each and every bit of information will be assessed and followed up. We would encourage anyone who might have information to contact us in confidence. We would like to hear from everyone who was staying at the Ocean Club at the time of Madeleine's abduction or from anyone who may have experienced a similar incident in the Iberia peninsula.

 

Tomorrow is Madeleine's fifth birthday. It will be one of the hardest days of the last 375. We will be marking it privately and quietly. We will do everything to try and ensure Madeleine does not spend another birthday separated from her family.

Day 366: 03/05/2008 Saturday. Madeleine Beth McCann

Day 366: 03/05/2008   Saturday  

 

It is a year to the day since Madeleine was abducted. A heinous crime that had the potential to destroy the strongest of families. Without doubt it has been the longest year of our lives, yet it does not seem like a year since we last saw Madeleine. She is still a large part of Sean and Amelie's life and this gives some comfort to Kate and me.

 

The research we have done this year has encouraged us to believe that there is a very good chance Madeleine is alive. Ernie Allen, president of NCMEC for the last 25 years, has reiterated that and the fact there are a number of scenarios in which Madeleine could be alive and well. We just need to find her.

 

The documentary we made on an EU wide Amber alert and the last year was screened in the UK on Wednesday night, in Spain on Thursday and last night in Portugal. We have spent most of the last 3 days promoting our new hotline number +4 845 838 4699 (calls are charged at local rate) and our e-mail addresses for information: anonymous@findmadeleine.com and

investigation@findmadeleine.com .

We have always said we will leave no stone unturned in the search for Madeleine. To do that we need to know what has and has not been done- unfortunately we know very little about the investigation to date. This is why we are appealing to everyone who may have come forward previously to do so again. Every piece of information is important to us. We are also appealing to people who may not have come forward for whatever reason to do so. We are only interested in finding Madeleine and will guarantee confidentiality and anonymity if requested. We are also families asking with children to think if something similar may have happened to them. It is unlikely this is the first time that the abductor has struck.

 

Today we will be attending one of the many services to pray for Madeleine and other missing children. We would like to thank everyone, of all faiths, who has prayed for Madeleine over the last year. The Helping to find Madeleine group have also organised a 'lighting the way home for Madeleine' event where, they will release lanterns in Rothley around the time she went missing. Others will light a candle and we greatly appreciate the support and symbolic gestures.

Day 262: 20/01/2008 Sunday. Madeleine Beth McCann

Day 262: 20/01/2008 Sunday. Madeleine Beth McCann

 

1st Version

Gerry edited Day 262 on Day 265

 

Today we have released drawings of a man who needs to be eliminated from the investigation to find Madeleine. A witness, Gail Cooper, who was holidaying in Praia da Luz shortly before we arrived, saw him on several occasions. She found the man, who claimed to be collecting for an orphanage, very intimidating. After interviewing Gail, our private investigators commissioned a forensic sketch by a FBI trained artist. The man has many similarities in looks and clothing he was wearing to the description of the man given by Jane Tanner.

Click Here to see the drawings.

 

The man Jane saw walking away from the apartments where we were staying was carrying a child, around 9.10pm on the night Madeleine was abducted. Jane described pyjamas matching those Madeleine was wearing without knowing what she had on that fateful night. We are convinced that this was when Madeleine was taken. Jane has been shown these sketches of the man. She feels he has a strong resemblance to the man she saw on May 3rd.carrying the child away.

 

It is essential that he be traced. We believe many people must know who this individual is. We appeal to anyone who knows him, or may have seen him to contact our private investigators on +34 902 300 213 or

 

investigation@findmadeleine.com. If you are this man please make contact with the investigators or your local police. All of this information has been passed on to the Portuguese and British police and Interpol has been informed. This man may have key information that will help us locate Madeleine.

Day 235 - 24/12/ 2007 Monday

Day 235 - 24/12/ 2007 Monday

 

Latest Update

 

McCann Christmas appeal 

 

 

View the XMAS Appeal - 24/12/07

Day 234 - 23/12/ 2007 Sunday

Day 234 - 23/12/ 2007   Sunday

 

 

 

As most of you will know by now Kate and I did an appeal for broadcast on TV yesterday. This was a desperate attempt to get someone who knows what happened to Madeleine to come forward and end our misery and the dreadful situation for everyone. Madeleine should not be spending Christmas away from her loving family. The person who took Madeleine has it in their power to end our suffering and will be able to appease their conscience that they have done the right thing- especially at this time of year
 

As I have stated Christmas will be a very quiet affair for our family without Madeleine present. Kate and I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time at this busy time of year to write to us and let us know Madeleine and our family are still in their thoughts and prayers. We still have at least one hundred cards to open! As always, every single one will be opened and read and the support expressed helps renew our determination to find Madeleine.

Day 227 - 16/12/ 2007 Sunday

Day 227 - 16/12/ 2007    Sunday 

 

 

 

Date and Day Gerry used

Day 218 - 07/12/2007

We have had many enquiries as to our plans for the festive period. Christmas 2007 will be an incredibly difficult time for us if Madeleine is not found before then. We plan to have a very quiet, private Christmas with family in the UK. Celebrating is the last thing we feel like doing; however we want Christmas to be as normal for Sean and Amelie as possible. They have already enjoyed decorating the Christmas tree with their “granny” and great aunt. Despite not yet being 3, they both seem to understand they will be getting presents from Santa. They have also asked if Santa will be bringing Madeleine home, which just about broke our hearts. Madeleine's return would obviously be the ultimate present for all of us and would bring tremendous joy to people all over the world.

 

As the end of the year approaches we would like to thank everyone who has offered support over the last seven months and we ask you to stay with us as the search for our daughter continues. The police and private investigations continue and we have not given up hope of a breakthrough. We again appeal to anyone who may have any information that might be relevant to contact your local police or our private investigators on +34. 902. 300 213 if they have any information which might be relevant.

Day 217 - 06/12/2007 Thursday

Day 217 - 06/12/2007    Thursday

 

 

 

In the summer it was agreed that the UK police would interview all British residents who were staying at the Ocean Club on May 3rd. There are a number of guests who have still not been interviewed. We would ask any British residents who were in or around Praia da Luz (not just at the Ocean Club) when Madeleine was abducted, and have not been interviewed, to contact their local police.

 

We would like to thank everyone who has come forward with information. The smallest detail may provide a clue that leads us to find Madeleine.

 

 We would like to appeal again for anyone with information to contact our private investigators on +34. 902.300.213, investigation@findmadeleine.com or their local police. Someone, somewhere knows something and Madeleine needs his or her help.