Showing posts with label review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label review. Show all posts

Wednesday, 7 January 2015

Day 2421: 18 December 2013 Wednesday, Madeleine Beth McCann, Christmas 2013


DECEMBER 2013

 

Day 2421: 18 December 2013 Wednesday, Madeleine Beth McCann 

Entry page and update
Christmas 2013  

This year seems to have passed particularly quickly - a sign undoubtedly of a very busy year. It would still be a comfort if we could slow time just a little. Thankfully however there have been some very positive aspects with regards to Madeleine. The Metropolitan police review becoming an investigation and more recently, the reopening of the case in Portugal. We are incredibly relieved and buoyed by these developments and continue to hope for further collaboration in the near future with the possibility of a JIT (joint investigation team) between Portugal and the UK to enhance the search for our dear daughter.  

 

Once again we would like to thank all our supporters for their commitment to Madeleine and their ongoing support of our efforts. Please spare a thought and prayer for all families similar to ours who will be unable to share this Christmas with a special loved one. 
 

We wish you a wonderful Christmas and a happy and peaceful 2014.
 
Kate xx

Day 2059: 21 December 2012 Friday, Madeleine Beth McCann


DECEMBER 2012
 

Day 2059: 21 December 2012 Friday, Madeleine Beth McCann
 

UPDATE: DECEMBER 2012
 

As we approach the end of another year, we’d like to thank everyone again for their amazing support.

It is both heart-warming and reassuring to know that after all this time Madeleine still remains in so many people’s hearts and minds.

 

This solidarity and commitment gives us great hope. Thank you.
 

The Metropolitan Police Review of all the material in the inquiry has been underway for over eighteen months.

 

We have been really impressed and greatly encouraged by the work which has been done and its findings to date which are revealing there are definitely many stones yet to turn. We continue to wait and hope that the Portuguese authorities will agree to reopen the case so that the many lines of enquiry can be investigated. As Madeleine’s parents, we won’t be able to rest until we know that all that can be feasibly done to find her, and the person who took her, has been done.

 

 

In the meantime, we will continue to do all that we can to aid the search for our daughter and assist the Review process.  

 

This year, Madeleine’s Fund has paid for: 
 

1. A 24 hour, 7 day a week telephone line to receive and capture information from around the world which may assist the investigation 

 

2. A small investigation team, including a Portuguese speaker to help with the above and with campaign activities. 
 

 

Since March 2012 independent ‘physical’ investigation of lines of enquiry by our team has been put on hold whilst the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) Review progresses. This has been to avoid duplication (and thereby unnecessary expenditure) and to prevent the risk of compromising any work, albeit unintentionally, carried out by the MPS. The private investigation team employed by the Fund continue to cooperate and work with the Metropolitan Police as and when necessary.
 

 

3. Part-time administrative support to aid the investigation and campaign to find Madeleine (campaign coordinator and media liaison) 

 

4. The awareness-raising campaign to ensure that Madeleine is not forgotten and to encourage the general public to remain vigilant. This has included the running of the Find Madeleine website.

 

 

5. Assistance from a specialist Portuguese communications agency to ensure that our message is communicated as widely and accurately as possible in Portugal, where support and help to find Madeleine is especially needed.

 

We are very aware that without public help it will be virtually impossible to find Madeleine. It would have been incredibly difficult for us to have maintained a search for her this long without such support, including donations to the Fund. Due to the sales of my book, ‘Madeleine’, the financial position of the Fund has significantly improved from a year and a half ago so we would like to reiterate our gratitude to everybody who bought the book. This has helped the search in more ways than one. Whilst fund expenditure has decreased over the past six months (due to a reduction in investigation spending as outlined in point 2) the Directors feel it is important that the fund maintains reasonable reserves so that the search for Madeleine can be resumed quickly should the MPS review not lead to a reopening of the case in Portugal. We desperately hope of course that the official investigation to find Madeleine will be reopened – and soon – as we still believe this is probably our best chance of finding our little girl.
 

 

Despite becoming stronger in ourselves and being able to create as special a Christmas as possible for our children, this time of year will never be as it should without Madeleine. Whilst Gerry and I think it constantly, Sean and Amelie now vocalise it, especially when doing something really nice like putting up the decorations….”If only Madeleine was here too…”

 

 

  • If you know what has happened to Madeleine, or where she might be now, please, please do the right thing: Find the compassion and courage and let us know. Thank you.  

 

This past weekend we sat and opened the many, many Christmas cards which have been sent to us, at what is now our sixth Christmas without Madeleine. The majority were from people we have never met. It was once again a very humbling yet totally uplifting experience. We are deeply touched by the thoughtfulness and compassion which we continue to experience and for the love and hope which shine through for Madeleine. Thank you so much. It means such a lot - and helps us immensely. 

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all of our supporters. We wish you a festive period full of laughter, warmth and friendship – and hope for a special 2013. 

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 1872: 17 June 2012 Sunday. Madeleine Beth McCann, Find Madeleine Team

 
JUNE 2012

Day 1872: 17 June 2012 Sunday. Madeleine Beth McCann  

 

Find Madeleine Team
 

Investigations Line +44 845 838 4699

 

Since the Metropolitan Police began their review of Madeleine’s case in May 2011, thankfully the demands on ourselves and our investigators have reduced. However we still have (and need!) a small team of very committed and experienced people working hard to help us find Madeleine and others available to step in and assist should the need arise.

 

 

The 24-hour ‘hotline’ for people to call with information is still functioning on 0845 838 4699 for people who would prefer to contact us directly.

 

 

 

 Along with a campaign coordinator and translators/interpreters, the team has several individuals with invaluable marketing, advertising and I.T. skills who help with the general campaign to find Madeleine.

 

 Of course probably the biggest and most valuable resource we have in our search for Madeleine is the eyes, ears and minds of the general public. Thank you to everyone who has, and continues to help us with our efforts to find her. Please keep going!

Tuesday, 6 January 2015

Day 1827: 03 May 2012 Thursday. Madeleine Beth McCann


MAY 2012

Day 1827: 03 May 2012 Thursday. Madeleine Beth McCann
 

Updates
Wednesday, 2 May, 2012  

It's hard to define succinctly how it feels to have reached five years without Madeleine. Impossible, heart-breaking, frightening, exasperating, incomprehensible. Sometimes it feels like forever and at other times, just like yesterday. 
 

What is certain though is that since the Metropolitan Police review was commenced last May, the chances of finding Madeleine and discovering what happened are now significantly greater. Additionally, albeit less importantly, our lives and those of our family have been much more bearable over the past year, simply by knowing those stones are finally being turned.  

 

We hope that the investigation will be reopened in Portugal soon, as this will give us the best possible chance of finding Madeleine and the person who committed this crime - of solving the case. The term 'mystery' (commonly used by the media) is not applicable until all possible avenues have been explored. They haven't been, and can't be until the case is reopened. 

 

The age-progression image of Madeleine released last week is an important tool in the search for Madeleine. We believe this image bears a strong resemblance to what Madeleine will look like now. Please help us by distributing this image as far and wide as you can. Someone might just recognise her.
 

Abducted children have been found many years following their disappearance.  

We cannot give up. We won't give up. Please keep looking for Madeleine. 

And if you know something, please do the right thing:

CONTACT: OPERATION GRANGE on 0207 321 9251 (0044 207 321 9251 from outside the UK) or Operation.Grange@met.pnn.police.uk
 

OR CRIMESTOPPERS in confidence on 0800 555111; www.crimestoppers-uk.org 

 

We'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped us, comforted us, battled with us, cried and laughed with us over the past five years. We couldn't have made it this far on our own. Your support has been amazing, invaluable and very, very humbling. Thank you.
 

And now.... the search goes on!

 

Kate and Gerry

Day 1693: 21/12/2011 Wednesday. Madeleine Beth McCann


DECEMBER 2011

Day 1693: 21/12/2011 Wednesday. Madeleine Beth McCann

 


 

It's Christmas - again. A time of mixed emotions for our family and many others in similar positions around the world. A time to hold together.

 

Thank you to all our supporters for your help throughout the year and for remaining united with us in our longing and determination to find Madeleine.

 

The year has ended on a positive note. Our search for Madeleine and the Metropolitan Police review of the case are progressing well. In addition, this December saw a landmark event for the protection of, and support for, missing children and their families left behind. The Government's Missing Children and Adults' Strategy aims to reduce the number of people who go missing; to protect the missing whilst they are away and to give families access to support, similar to victims of crime. The strategy follows 12 months of campaigning by individuals and organisations like the charity Missing People.

 

Thank you to everyone who supported this campaign and influenced this significant development.

 

This Christmas, please keep Madeleine and all missing loved ones and their families in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you.

 

 

The support you give enables us to move into 2012 with renewed energy and continued hope. 

 

Kate and Gerry 

 

Day 1638: 27/10/2011 Thursday. Madeleine Beth McCann


Day 1638: 27/10/2011 Thursday. Madeleine Beth McCann
 

Updates Thursday, 27 October, 2011  
 

My grandparents always used to say that the years pass more quickly the older you get. It certainly feels that way.

 

I still dream of being able to stop time. Our only alternative however is to continue doing as much as we can to the best of our ability to enhance the search for Madeleine. So that is what we'll do. 

 

Thank you to everyone who has bought and read my book. Not only is this helping to fund our investigation and campaign, it will also improve and maintain awareness of Madeleine and our need to find her. It seems obvious that the more people who are informed worldwide, the more eyes and ears Madeleine will have assisting the search for her. We are really grateful for your support.
 

 

We also appreciate the general public's help in achieving a review of Madeleine's case. It is a big relief to us that our government finally agreed for a review to take place. We are grateful to them and to the Metropolitan Police Service for undertaking this fundamental and highly valuable procedure which has been underway now for several months. Although it will be a lengthy and difficult process, it is definitely a major step forward for Madeleine. 

 

I would also like to thank everyone who has written to us or sent their support in some way over the past six months. We have once again been touched by the incredible kindness and commitment shown to us and Madeleine, and bolstered by the continuing encouragement and positivity.   

Kate

Day 1471: 13/05/2011 Friday. Madeleine Beth McCann . Our Letter to David Cameron, 11 May, 2011


Day 1471: 13/05/2011 Friday. Madeleine Beth McCann 
 

(put on line 24 may 2011) also as update)
 
 

Our Letter to David Cameron, 11 May, 2011Dear Prime Minister, 
( campaign page)
Request for An Independent Review of Madeleine's Case 
 

Our Letter to David Cameron, 11 May, 2011

Dear Prime Minister,

As a devoted father and family man, you know the importance of children. Our beloved eldest child, Madeleine, was abducted from Praia da Luz, Portugal, four years ago. Since then, we have devoted all our energies to ensuring her safe return.

 

Today we are asking you - and the British and Portuguese governments - to help find Madeleine and bring her back to her loving family.

 

We live in hope that Madeleine will be found alive and returned to us. One call might be all that is needed to lead to Madeleine and her abductor.

 

To this end, we are seeking a joint INDEPENDENT, TRANSPARENT and COMPREHENSIVE review of ALL information held in relation to Madeleine's disappearance. Thus far, there has been NO formal review of the material held by the police authorities - which is routine practice in most major unsolved crimes.

 

It is not right that a young vulnerable British citizen has essentially been given up on. This remains an unsolved case of a missing child. Children are our most precious gift. 

Please don't give up on Madeleine. 

Kate & Gerry McCann 

David Cameron's Response Link

 

Day 1326: 19/12/2010 Sunday. Madeleine Beth McCann


Day 1326: 19/12/2010 Sunday. Madeleine Beth McCann


 (Date edited from 17 Nov to 17 Dec 19/12/10) 
 

Updates Friday, 17th December, 2010  

This month marks our fourth Christmas without Madeleine. We hope with all our hearts that wherever she is, she is safe and well and whoever may be with her is treating her with the love and respect she so deserves.

 

We would like to thank all our supporters for 'staying at our side' in spite of the injustices that we continue to be subjected to. Madeleine is the person who suffers most from all of this injustice. It is this fact alone which causes us the most distress. It is absolutely heart-breaking.

 

The Wikileaks 'news' this week has led to the repetition of many unfounded allegations and smears both in the UK and in Portugal in particular. This has been seized on as an opportunity by those who wish to compound our suffering and hamper our efforts, including the very person who was entrusted with finding our daughter. Those who could help Madeleine but choose to do nothing are also complicit in this injustice. Without the love and help from so many good people around the world we would not be able to find the strength to continue the fight to find our daughter.

 

Thank you to all those who have signed our petition calling on the UK and Portuguese Governments to conduct an independent review of Madeleine's case. The petition is still on-going. If you haven't signed and would like to further the search for Madeleine, please sign our on-line petition or sign a paper petition form. The latter can be downloaded from the website and distributed to shops, post-offices etc. and returned to us.

 

Along with our family, we would like to thank everyone who has sent us Christmas cards, letters, donations and gifts at this difficult time of year. It is impossible to find enough positive words to describe such kindness or the hugely important and heart-warming effect it has on us. Without any doubt, it helps us immensely and we are incredibly grateful.

 

We wish you all a merry Christmas and a very happy, healthy and positive 2011. Please remember to spare a thought and a prayer for all the children who will not be with their families this Christmas.

 

Thank you.

Kate and Gerry

Day 1324: 17/12/2010 Friday. Madeleine Beth McCann

 
DECEMBER 2010
Day 1324: 17/12/2010 Friday. Madeleine Beth McCann
  (Put On line 17/12/10)
Updates Friday, 17th November, 2010 This month marks our fourth Christmas without Madeleine. We hope with all our hearts that wherever she is, she is safe and well and whoever may be with her is treating her with the love and respect she so deserves.

 

We would like to thank all our supporters for 'staying at our side' in spite of the injustices that we continue to be subjected to. Madeleine is the person who suffers most from all of this injustice. It is this fact alone which causes us the most distress. It is absolutely heart-breaking.

 

The Wikileaks 'news' this week has led to the repetition of many unfounded allegations and smears both in the UK and in Portugal in particular. This has been seized on as an opportunity by those who wish to compound our suffering and hamper our efforts, including the very person who was entrusted with finding our daughter. Those who could help Madeleine but choose to do nothing are also complicit in this injustice. Without the love and help from so many good people around the world we would not be able to find the strength to continue the fight to find our daughter.

 

Thank you to all those who have signed our petition calling on the UK and Portuguese Governments to conduct an independent review of Madeleine's case. The petition is still on-going. If you haven't signed and would like to further the search for Madeleine, please sign our on-line petition or sign a paper petition form. The latter can be downloaded from the website and distributed to shops, post-offices etc. and returned to us.

 

Along with our family, we would like to thank everyone who has sent us Christmas cards, letters, donations and gifts at this difficult time of year. It is impossible to find enough positive words to describe such kindness or the hugely important and heart-warming effect it has on us. Without any doubt, it helps us immensely and we are incredibly grateful.

 

We wish you all a merry Christmas and a very happy, healthy and positive 2011. Please remember to spare a thought and a prayer for all the children who will not be with their families this Christmas.

 

Thank you.

Kate and Gerry

Day 1280: 03/11/2010 Wednesday. Madeleine Beth McCann


NOVEMBER 2010
 

Day 1280: 03/11/2010 Wednesday. Madeleine Beth McCann
 
Updates Wednesday, 3rd November, 2010 
It is exactly three and a half years since our daughter Madeleine was so cruelly taken from us. Three and a half years without her seeing her brother, her sister, her Mummy, her Daddy or her best friends.  
 

We are still searching for her. Our small team continues to review all available information, even though we STILL don't have access to ALL of the information that the UK and Portuguese authorities have. Our team has interviewed hundreds of witnesses, received over 1000 calls, dealt with over 15,000 emails and maintained a computerised database of all information they have received. Despite the difficulties resulting from lack of official assistance, they 'follow up' all new leads to try and get fresh information into the investigation.

 

It is incredible to think that for the last two years and three months NO police force has proactively been doing anything to help us find Madeleine. Crucially, there has been NO formal review of the material held by the police authorities - which is routine practice in most countries, and especially when a key piece of the 'jigsaw' may have been overlooked.

We have tried in vain to get the authorities to play their part but our requests have seemingly fallen on deaf ears. It is simply not acceptable that they have, to all intents and purposes, given up on Madeleine. We need the authorities to do more.
 

However we know we are not alone. We have the tremendous support of family, friends and of course you the public. A lot of this support comes in the form of people saying to us 'if there's anything we can do, just let us know or 'I'd like to help but I don't know how'. To these people, and indeed yourself, my plea is simple:
 

We need your support to continue to lobby the British and Portuguese Governments to undertake a joint or independent review of Madeleine's case.
 

 

How can you do this' Simply visit: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/madeleinemccann_case_review/ today and sign the petition to call on the UK and Portuguese authorities to conduct an independent and transparent review of all information in relation to the disappearance of Madeleine. And in turn, please spread the word and encourage as many others to do the same. Together we can, and will pull all of the loose ends of Madeleine's case together and find her.  

Thank you. 
 

 

Looking for our daughter is not without significant cost. 

Another way you can show your support is by continuing to help us fund the search for Madeleine.
 

To carry on searching for Madeleine and to ensure that the process has continued in a meaningful and proactive way, we have been able to utilise the generous donations paid in to Madeleine's Fund by the general public, libel damages paid to ourselves and our friends and money raised through a variety of fund-raising efforts. The fund has allowed;

 

  • Our investigation team of ex-police officers to operate and conduct enquiries in the UK, Portugal and further afield. 

  • A Portuguese assistant/translator.  

  • A 24 hour telephone line with translators to receive information from the public
 

  • Media liaison in Portugal and the UK to ensure that we convey the simple factual messages: there is absolutely no evidence that Madeleine has been physically harmed; we must keep looking for her and those who took her.  

  • Awareness campaigns in Portugal, Spain and further afield.
 

  • Website hosting and development and social network site campaigns to raise awareness through the internet 

  • A part-time campaign coordinator 
 

If Madeleine's Fund remains as it is, with the current rate of expenditure, it will run out in Spring 2011. This would essentially mean that any kind of proactive search for Madeleine would cease. So again we need your help. If you can,

 

please consider donating to Madeleine's fund.



·         £1 pays for the multi-lingual call centre availability for 1 hour

 

·         £2 per month pays for 12 travel packs that are distributed to holidaymakers going all over the world


·         £10 pays for 1000 posters that are translated and distributed across the world.

 

·         £25 pays for the access to a 24 hour multi-lingual telephone service for 1 day

 

·         £50 pays for the running costs of investigation office (and staff) for 2 hours

 

·         £420 pays for 10,000 multi-lingual prayer cards for Madeleine, with photograph and contact details 

 

Someone knows what has happened to Madeleine. We simply need to reach that person. We need to obtain that key piece of information, that 'missing piece of the jigsaw'. One call may be all we need to find Madeleine and who took her.

 

Our little girl is now seven years old; innocent, vulnerable and waiting to be found. Please, please sign the petition and help us to find her. 

 

On behalf of my family, thank you. 

Gerry