Day 1124: 31/05/2010 Monday. Madeleine Beth McCann: May 31st, Important Update: Child Rescue Alert

Day 1124: 31/05/2010 Monday. Madeleine Beth McCann  

May 31st, Important Update: Child Rescue Alert

 

Last Tuesday, May 25th, was International Missing Children's Day. Disappointingly, the day didn't seem to get as much attention as it deserves, or rather, as all missing children deserve ' and need!

The day was also important as the UK's new 'Child Rescue Alert' was launched. Gerry and I, along with many others, campaigned hard back in 2008 for the development of such a system within all countries across Europe, to help when a child is abducted. Many of you also helped to make this campaign successful by lobbying your M.E.P.'s at this time. In view of this, I feel it's important that as many people as possible within the UK are aware of, and familiar with this new 'Child Rescue Alert'. This is a system which could save the life of a child. Each member of our country could play a role in achieving this, if they are aware of the CRA and its usage. 

 

The Child Rescue Alert will be used by the police when it is probable that a child has been abducted and in imminent danger of serious harm or death. When the CRA is launched, the public will be notified via various media channels, including TV and radio, with broadcasts being interrupted on a regular basis, to ensure that as many people as possible are aware of the abduction and therefore able to help. The telephone number to call with information following an alert will be: 0300 2000 333. (NB: If you think your child has been abducted or if you think you have seen an abduction taking place before a CRA is launched, call 999 immediately).

 

For more information on the Child Rescue Alert, please visit www.npia.police.uk

 

Another way to help missing children right now is to visit http://shop.ebay.co.uk/pact_auction/m.html. This is an on-line auction of celebrity artwork organised by PACT (Parents and Abducted Children Together; www.pact-online.org) in support of missing children. You can bid now for creative 'balloon' artwork by Robert Pattinson, Sir Roger Moore, Sir Michael Caine and many more ' and at the same time help PACT continue their desperately important work on behalf of all missing children! (The auction closes later this week).

 

Finally, as another May comes to an end, we'd like to say another 'thank you' to everyone who has continued to support us in our search for Madeleine. We are so grateful for all the cards and letters full of kind words and encouragement, the donations to 'Madeleine's Fund', the beautiful flowers and also the birthday cards and gifts for Madeleine. Suffice to say, such support and kindness is invaluable and greatly appreciated.  

Thank you so much. 

Kate

Day 1038: 06/03/2010 Saturday. Madeleine Beth McCann. Statement March 5th 2010

MARCH 2010

 

Day 1038: 06/03/2010 Saturday. Madeleine Beth McCann

 

Statement March 5th 2010

 

Events this week have yet again been incomprehensible and particularly upsetting.

 

On Tuesday, the Public Prosecutor in Portugal released a large number of documents (relating to the investigation to find our daughter Madeleine) to the British Media, following their request for access. Disclosing such information publicly greatly jeopardises the search for Madeleine and puts witnesses and innocent members of the general public at risk (as well as causing them great anxiety). Release and publication of information in this manner also potentially compromises future investigations. It is difficult to see how anyone benefits from this week's actions.

 

 

 

It is imperative that the Authorities take responsibility for sensitive and confidential information. We, together with the general public, need assurances that this will not be allowed to happen again. Equally, we need absolute assurances that all credible information and leads will be investigated.

 

 

 

We also urge each individual working for the media to consider their own personal responsibility - to put commercial interests aside occasionally and to bear in mind the potential consequences of their actions, especially when people's lives and well-being are at risk.

 

 

 

Our own investigators have acted professionally and with complete integrity. We are eager to encourage anybody who has any information which may relate to Madeleine's abduction to contact our investigation team directly by phone (0845 838 4699 or 800 814 028), by email (http://www.investigation@findmadeleine.com/) or via the P.O box address given on the website. Information may be given anonymously via each route. 

 

We are incredibly grateful to all those who continue to support us in our search for Madeleine. During weeks such as these, it is invaluable to know that we are not facing this difficult journey alone

 

Day 66 - 08/07/2007 Sunday

Day 66 - 08/07/2007 Sunday

 

 

A small event took place in Porto, in the north of Portugal, today to remember missing children. It was at a large schools end of year musical and the children and staff released balloons.

 

It is good that local communities are staging events like this and we thank them for remembering Madeleine.

 

We were glad to hear the young British girl kidnapped in Nigeria was returned safely today.

Day 53 - 25/06/2007 Monday

Day 53 - 25/06/2007 Monday 

 

 

Today was largely spent doing some behind the scenes campaigning. We had a meeting about an interesting idea that would help keep Madeleines profile high here in Portugal. Although I hope it comes to fruition, like many of the ideas it requires a lot of planning and cooperation. I will be having another admin day tomorrow  working on implementing our campaign events.

We were invited round to some firends for dinner which was great, especially for Sean and Amelie. Finished the night off answering e-mails. Lots of photographs are coming through for Madeleines 50 day balloon launch. Keep them coming and we will get them posted soon.

Day 50 - 22/06/2007 Friday

Day 50 - 22/06/2007     Friday 

 

 

We never thought it would happen: 50 days without Madeleine. Solidarity the world over has been expressed today with the launch of balloons in every continent to remember Madeleine and other missing children. The event in Praia da Luz had considerable media interest as did many other releases the world over. Sean and Amelie released their balloons shortly after kate and I let go our 50 and we were pleased the media respected our wish for the twins not to be photographed any longer. Please send digital images and video of your local event to images@bringmadeleinehome.com 

 

We were not planning to say anything at the launch but there was such a large turnout from Portuguese TV who we have not spoken

to for some time that we decided to answer their questions. The beauty of the launch was the local and international dimension with media coverage spreading Madeleines image far and wide.

 

We have seen the video of the Ullapool (home of the website and my sister Phil) launch, Glasgow and extensive pictures from

 

Amsterdam. We very much look forward to seeing pictures from all the other venues. One of these balloons may just be found by someone who recognises Madeleine and alerts the authorities.

Day 49 - 21/06/2007 Thursday, Madeleine Beth McCann

Day 49 - 21/06/2007 Thursday, Madeleine Beth McCann 

 

 

Met with the Portuguese police today for an update. Their committemnt to find Madeleine matches ours and we all hope for that vital breakthrough every day.

 

We have literally received thousands of letters, cards and messages of support here in Portugal which have helped give us strength during this terrible time. Yesterday we received a particularly touching gift which is entitled Madeleines Book of Hope made up with comments from children of all ages from 3 different schools including a pre-school. The messages in different coloured pages with green and yellow ribbons had both the power to us cry and laugh!

 

The response to the balloon launch to mark 50 days that Madeleine has been missing has been incredible. There are close to 300 centres, and countries all over the world, participating. There has been a lot of local media interest but remember to take digital photographs and videos if possible which will be able to be uploaded to the website so we can display them. The message of Madeleines disappearance will reach many more people tomorrow.

 

A pleasing aspect of the launch will be the highlighting of other missing or abducted children, many of whom will have recieved little public attention. I know that 7 year old Yeremi Vargas will be remembered in Madrid and his family will be releasing balloons from Gran Canaria where he disappeared in March of this year.

 

Our campaign to find Madeleine will be associated with other child welfare issues in the future. We are very keen to see more debate on issues that we and other families in similar situations have to face.

 

 

 Child abuse is a taboo subject still in many countries and we must encourage responsible debate around how child abuse can be prevented.

 

Day 48 - 20/06/2007 Wednesday, Madeleine Beth McCann

Day 48 - 20/06/2007 Wednesday, Madeleine Beth McCann  

 

 

Another busy day of meetings this time in Leicester. No mishaps thankfully.The main meeting was that of Maddeleines fund where we discussed implementing a strategy to maintain our campaign to find Madeleine. It was agreed in principle to appoint a family spokesperson who will act, not just for Kate and I, but also on behalf of the extended family who have been liasing with the media. This appointment will take a lot of strain off family members who have been putting in such massive efforts to help find Madeleine.

 

We are delighted with the response to the 50th day balloon launch

 

which will truly be a global event. There will be a few variations to the release of balloons however. In Ventura, Southern California, 50 white doves will be released and in Afghanistan kite racing, an activity banned under the Taliban, will be the order of the day.  Arrived back in Praia da Luz this evening and it was great to see Kate and the Kids, even though I was only away for a day and a half.

 

Day 47 - 19/06/2007 Tuesday

Day 47 - 19/06/2007     Tuesday

 

 

Flew in to London to for a series of meetings. Helped a passenger on the flight who collapsed. He was ill enough to require a full assessment on arrival and went off to hospital in an ambulance.

 

Unfortunately shortly after arriving in London I had my wallet stolen which meant I was running late. I did manage to get to all my meetings which ran late into the evening. We had very good discussions regarding sustaining the search for Madeleine long term. The role for Kate and I in the campaign will not be nearly be so public. We have to balance any campaigning in the search for Madeleine with protecting Sean and Amelie and making sure their privacy is protected.

We are exploring the use of new media and using local advertising, particularly in Europe.

 

 There will of course be event driven media exposure such as the balloon launch on Friday 22nd. There are several other very good ideas being developed and a few large companies are willing to help us.

Day 46 - 18/06/2007 Monday

Day 46 - 18/06/2007     Monday  

 

 

Kate and I got the respone we wanted after speaking to the Portuguese ploice today. We are assured that no criticism of our actions on the night Madeline disappeared was intended.

 

There has been a good response to our planned balloon release for Madeleine and other missing children on Friday and we are confident that over 50 countries will berepresented.

 

The twins have really enjoyed seeing family who have been visiting us for the last 3 days- it has passed very quickly. Hopefully the next time we see them it will be with Madeleine.

Day 45 - 17/06/2007 Sunday

Day 45 - 17/06/2007     Sunday 

 

Kate and I managed an early morning run before church.

The first event of our longer term campaign will be on Friday 22nd June- this will mark the 50th day Madeleine will be missing. We will be launching green and yellow balloons from at least 50 centres worldwide to mark the fact that we are still searching as are other parents of missing children. Countries that are partcipating so far are Argentina, El Salvador, USA, Canada, Ireland, UK,

The Netherlands, Germany, Portugal (Kate and I in Praia da Luz), Spain, South Africa, Kenya, United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. . Any other countries that wish to partcipate can download information from the website.

Day 36 - 08/06/2007 Friday

Day 36 - 08/06/2007     Friday

 

 

Quieter day today. This was a good chance to catch up with campaign e-mails and phone calls after the trips to Berlin and Amsterdam. At lunchtime we went to the release of 1000 yellow balloons at the beach carrying cards with Madeleine’s picture on it and information in 5 different languages including arabic. There were similar launches in Manchester and Madrid. The event was organsied by the Sun who, like almost all of the media, have been incredibly supportive. I told Nick, the Sun journalist, that we are happy to support all strategies which increase the chances of finding Madeleine. Later in the afternoon we went down to the beach and had dinner in one of the restaurants which Sean and Amelie really enjoyed. Sean, in particular has acquired a taste for sea-bass! Kate and I did a short interview for BBC East Midlands to thank everyone for their support and it is likely that this will be shown around most of the regions, certainly Northwest and BBC Scotland. Kate and most of the family headed down to the church for the regular Friday night vigil but I was just too shattered. Tommorrow will largely be a family day although I am not sure what we will be doing yet.