Day 2791: 23 December 2014 Tuesday Madeleine Beth McCann, Christmas, 2014

DECEMBER 2014

 

Day 2791: 23 December 2014 Tuesday Madeleine Beth McCann 

Christmas, 2014  

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all of our supporters.

 

Once again we have been amazed this year by the support we continue to have for our search for Madeleine - and opening the hundreds of Christmas cards has once again been a truly humbling experience. The warmth, kindness and commitment to never forget has precipitated more than a few happy tears! Thank you.

 

 

It's hard to ignore that 'here we are again' feeling at this time of year, still with no idea where our daughter is or of what's happened. What we can say is that our resolve to find out, as well as the hope which has always been present, has not lessened. In addition it's very apparent that the determination of the Metropolitan Police remains steadfast, in spite of the persistent challenges they face.

 

No matter where she is, Madeleine will, as always, be very much with us and our family this Christmas.   

Thank you for holding her in your hearts too.  

Kate and Gerry

 

Day 2192: 02 May 2013 Thursday, Madeleine Beth McCann

MAY 2013

Day 2192:  02 May 2013 Thursday, Madeleine Beth McCann

 

Updates Thursday, 2 May, 2013

 

SIX YEARS. I don't think we are the only ones who find this hard to believe.  

 

It's difficult to know what to write as each year passes, still without news of Madeleine. In many ways, nothing's changed. We still worry about her, we miss her as much as we ever did, we remain as determined as ever to find her and to know what has happened. 

 

The one thing that has progressed significantly over the last year is the work of the Metropolitan Police. We remain greatly encouraged by their work and the many things they have managed to uncover so far. Their commitment and increasing determination parallels our own and brings us great comfort and reassurance. We continue to hope and pray that the Met working with the Portuguese Authorities will lead to a significant breakthrough. We need to find Madeleine and bring some peace to our family.  

 

In the early days, Gerry remarked that we weren't sure whether this journey would be a sprint or a marathon. It's been much, much more than a marathon (I'm qualified to say that now!) We really appreciate how lucky we have been to be surrounded by such fabulous support for so long. Thank you to all our supporters for being there alongside us and for never forgetting about Madeleine. We're here for the long haul, for as long as it takes. Thank you for being there too.

 

 

And finally, a special 'thank you' to everybody who sponsored me to run the London marathon recently. Your kind donations, which have now amounted to more than £21,000 (fantastic!) will allow the charity, Missing People, to continue the search for many missing children and vulnerable adults, as well as provide essential support for their families. Your compassion and generosity will help to ease the suffering of many people. Thank you. 

Kate

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 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 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 1460: 02/05/2011 Monday. Madeleine Beth McCann

MAY 2011

Day 1460: 02/05/2011 Monday. Madeleine Beth McCann

 

Updates Monday, 2nd May, 2011

 

2011 has been an incredibly busy year so far. Every year since Madeleine was taken has been, but this one, particularly so.

 

Between January and March we held 3 fundraising events ' 'Bags of Hope for Madeleine' - at the National Space Centre in Leicester, the Crypt in the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral and the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Glasgow. Despite the time and effort required in organising these evenings, all three were very positive. As well as the money raised to further the search for Madeleine, these occasions were important in gathering supporters together, re-energising the campaign and increasing awareness of the frightening and poorly resourced problem of missing and exploited children. The tangible warmth and support present also gave Gerry and I and all our family an essential boost. We'd like to thank everybody who supported these events - the venue staff, caterers, entertainers, those who donated bags and other prizes and of course all those who attended the events. We're very grateful to Steve Womack, Ricky Tomlinson and Sanjeev Kohli in particular, for giving up their time to support Madeleine, and for making these evenings extra special.

 

The main project this year has been writing my book. It will be launched on Thursday 12th May, which poignantly and coincidentally happens to be Madeleine's 8th birthday. It's a relief that the end of this intense period is now in sight. We hope and pray that it will bring us the result we long for and that not only the book but this whole ordeal and heartache will be behind us before too much longer.

 

Madeleine is still missing and there is still a lot to be done. Our efforts to find her are not diminishing. If anything, they are escalating. The need for a review by the authorities of Madeleine's case remains, and our desire to achieve this unwavering. This is a stone which definitely needs to be turned for Madeleine.

 

We would like to reiterate our gratitude to all of our supporters for not forgetting. Four years may have passed but our little girl is still missing. And, she is still findable. Your continued kindness and backing could help us achieve this.

 

Thank you again for not giving up on Madeleine.

 

Kate

Day 1233: 17/09/2010 Friday. Madeleine Beth McCann

Day 1233: 17/09/2010 Friday. Madeleine Beth McCann 

Update September 6th 2010
(Date appeared on line Day 1233 17/09/10) 

 

As the Summer draws to a close, I'd like to thank everyone who has helped with our Summer Campaign by using Madeleine luggage tags, displaying posters, wearing Madeleine t-shirts while on their travels and of course for remaining vigilant. Thank you also to all the students who are helping with our 'Students for Madeleine' initiative. I have no doubt that it all helps. Keeping Madeleine's image out there greatly increases our chances of finding her. It is a reminder to people that she is still missing and to please keep looking for her. In addition, we know that somebody knows where Madeleine is. One more reminder of her may be all that it takes for them to finally come forward and let us know.

 

Despite the summertime being a relatively quiet period for everyone, our work to find Madeleine continues. There will be some changes and development in terms of strategy and ideas as we endeavour to leave no stone unturned in our search. This will include some changes to the board of Madeleine's Fund, simply to try and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of what we are doing. It has now been three years and four months since Madeleine was taken from us. None of us ever thought we'd still be in the position we are today. Inevitably there has to be change for a variety of reasons but importantly, this will also allow people to help and support us in different ways. Regardless of change, everyone's focus, commitment and desire continues to be that of finding Madeleine.

 

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Day 903: 22/10/2009 Thursday. Madeleine Beth McCann: THANK YOU EVERTON

Day 903: 22/10/2009 Thursday. Madeleine Beth McCann

 

THANK YOU EVERTON 22nd October 2009

This is a heartfelt note to say a very big thank you to all at Everton Football Club and all of their fantastic supporters. To see so many fans wearing a Madeleine t-shirt was an incredibly uplifting (and emotional!) sight ? such invaluable support and an amazing show of solidarity.

 

Regardless of tonight's result against Benfica, you have made one family very proud and have made a special and significant impact on the search for a very precious little girl.

 

On behalf of Madeleine and all of her family, thank you so much. We are very proud to be Blue!  

            

22-10-09- NEW ENTRY PAGE CAPTIONS

 New website entrance page.

/

If you stay quiet you are as guilty as those who took her. 

/

A little girl stolen? a family torn apart. But saying nothing is the worst crime of all.

 

/

The world is watching, If you know something?  say some thing  

/

It's never too late to do the right thing.

 

/

One phone call. One email can end one familys nightmare. 

/

Imagine if she was your child? Imagine the pain and the grief? 

Imagine if someone like you never came forward?

 

 

[Day 12/10/2009 Aisling Symes Blog now removed from site.]  

Day 839: 19/08/2009 Wednesday to Day 858: 07/09/2009 Monday

Day 839: 19/08/2009 Wednesday to Day 858: 07/09/2009 Monday

No Update

 

 -Updates have been removed from Find Madeleine website from 03/09/09

 -Messages of support have stopped at 04/08.09