Six years since Maddie disappeared, 01 May 2013

Six years since Maddie disappeared ITV Daybreak Published: Mon, 01 Apr, 2013 This Friday sees the sixth anniversary of the disappearance of Madeline McCann. Madeleine would be 10 years old on 12th May. Her parents, Kate and Gerry, join us on the sofa to talk about how they have coped since her disappearance. --------------------- Transcript By Nigel Moore [07:41] Lorraine Kelly: It is very hard to believe that almost six years have passed since Madeleine McCann disappeared while on holiday in Portugal with her family. Aled Jones: Two days ahead of that anniversary, Kate and Gerry McCann join us now. Thank you so much for joining us this morning. We were both mentioning... can't believe it's been six years. How... how have you coped in that time? Both of you? Kate McCann: Well, I... I think, you know, we've had tremendous support and that's been the main thing really which has carried us through and that support has... has continued. Aled Jones: It seems you've got very strong support together as well. Gerry McCann: Yeah, no, without a doubt and, errr... we've not always been at the same place at the same time and, errr... it's been pretty rare where both of us have been at out lowest ebb but, errr... you know, I think our relationship's ex... you know, incredibly strong. Lorraine Kelly: It is incredible. Because often times, you know, when something so horrendous happens to a couple, it can cause them to split up or it can cause troubles but it never has with you. It has made you stronger. I know that's a cliche but it doesn't mean that it's not true, it actually has made... brought you together even more. Kate McCann: I mean, obviously it is a... a huge traumatic event, something like this, errm... you know, I think we were strong before it happened, which was a blessing and, errr... you know, we've always communicated well and I think that's really important but, you know, without doubt, the support we've had from family, friends and the general public is really helpful. Gerry McCann: I mean it has been critical; the support, as well, and I think it's not just two people going through this, errm... Madeleine's abduction had devastating consequences for everyone around us, and... Aled Jones: Of course. Gerry McCann: ...you know, the public really hit a nerve. Lorraine Kelly: How can the public help now though? What can we do now, six years down the line? Is there anything that you would like the public to do? Kate McCann: I think it's more of the same, to be honest, because, you know, you know, the search is very much ongoing, errm... nothing's slowing down, if anything I feel it's escalating with the work of the Met and, again, it's just be vigilant, errm... please still take your posters on holiday, you know, and... and don't forget about her. She's still missing, you know, we haven't lost hope. Our hope isn't any less than it was after the first 24/48 hours. Gerry McCann: In... In some respects I think we're actually... apart from, you know, the early days and weeks, I think we're actually in a better position now in terms of working out what happened and the... having the Met involved has taken a huge amount of pressure off us now and they're doing all the things that we said needed to be done, which is great, and, you know, when they're ready they'll come forward and ask the public for help. Aled Jones: How difficult has it been for both of you watching Madeleine's contemporaries grow up, if you like? Kate McCann: Yeah, it's hard. Certainly initially, I thought that would be really, really difficult, errm... you know, and certainly when I used to school assemblies and it was her peer group, errm... you know, I could see her in there so that was quite emotional really but, you know, I still see Madeleine's best friend and actually I get comfort from that now, errm... Aled Jones: Mmm... Lorraine Kelly: Do you still keep in touch with them? Are they still pretty much part of your life? Kate McCann: Absolutely. I see them regularly.  Aled Jones: But last time I spoke to you, you said that there were very few places in the world where you found solace and one of those was your local church and you had the key to it. Kate McCann: Yeah, well I... I initially had the key to the local church in Praia da Luz, errm... and I did spend a lot of time there and I do have the key to our local church as well and, you know, I don't always need to go there. Sometimes I can just go into Madeleine's room and sit down and I didn't even have to talk or pray, you know, I can just... think and, you know, and... Lorraine Kelly: Is it still the same as it was when she disappeared? Kate McCann: It is, no, it's... it's... still as it was really. Lorraine Kelly: She's part of the family... Aled Jones: Yeah Lorraine Kelly: ...this is the thing, isn't it? You know, you've always said that, with the twins as they grow up. They know their... their big sister, you know, she's... she's spoken about all the time. Kate McCann: Yeah, no, she is and... and that's her room and, I don't know, I mean, sometimes people have asked me, you know: 'Will there ever come a time when, you know, you change that room or...' and it's difficult, you know, because sort of in your head that... that almost indicates kind of moving on and... Aled Jones: Sure. Kate McCann: ...I'm not there. Aled Jones: What happens with the twins, you know, when they want to go on sleepovers or school trips. [Gerry McCann laughs] That's going to be tough, isn't it? Kate McCann: [pause] Yeah. [laughs] Gerry McCann: Touchy subject. Aled Jones: Oh... oh really, yeah, yeah. Kate McCann: No, it's not. [laughs] I mean, I think I'm getting a little bit better and, you know, they haven't had any, errm... sleepovers with school friends or anything yet and I know that goes on a lot. Errm... although there is one potentially coming up soon, so I've given my blessing. Errm... you know, and... Gerry McCann: It's... It has been difficult but, errr... you know, it's really important that Sean and Amelie get exposed to the same things that everyone else does and sometimes you've just got to stand back and, errr... you know, they do all their... their clubs and other things and in the past, errm... you know, Amelie has even been in to ski school for the day, so, you know, and that is hard letting go but, you know, you just take all the precautions. Kate McCann: It will get tougher. I mean, obviously as they kind of approach teenage years and... and want that freedom and, you know, obviously, you know, that's still a young age so they can't really see it from a parents point of view. Lorraine Kelly: That's hard anyway, Kate... Kate McCann: And that's going to be a challenge. Lorraine Kelly: ...it's really hard... Kate McCann: Yeah, it is for everyone, yeah. Lorraine Kelly: ...but for you it's gonna be... it's gonna be even tougher. Aled Jones: We've got the anniversary on Friday. How... how will you spend it? Kate McCann: I don't know yet, is the honest answer and often it's one of those days until you get there you don't quite know how you'll feel. We always have a little service for Madeleine in the village, errm... and that will happen as always but we'll see... we'll see how we feel. Lorraine Kelly: Thank you... Aled Jones: Yeah. Lorraine Kelly: ...for coming in, you're astonishing. I don't know how you... and... and... the way that you've kept hope and kept going it's... it's incredible, it really is... Aled Jones: It's admirable, it really is Lorraine Kelly: ...and I'll be talking to you more after half past eight. Kate McCann: Yeah. Thank you. Gerry McCann: Thank you.

Madeleine parents hold on to hope, 01 May 2013

Madeleine parents hold on to hope The Press Association Press Association – [Approx 08:30am, 1 May 2013] Madeleine McCann disappeared from her family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz The parents of missing Madeleine McCann said they have not lost hope that their daughter will be found nearly six years after she vanished. Kate and Gerry McCann said the involvement of the Metropolitan Police now meant the hunt for their daughter was escalating, rather than grinding to a halt. Speaking on ITV's Daybreak, Mrs McCann urged the public to remember their daughter and always keep her in mind. "The search is very much ongoing," she said. "Nothing is slowing down, if anything I feel it's escalating with the work of the Met. And again it's just be vigilant, please still take your posters on holiday and don't forget about her, she's still missing. We haven't lost hope, our hope isn't any less than it was after the first 24, 48 hours." In just two days time the family will mark the six-year anniversary of Madeleine's disappearance. She was nearly four when she disappeared from her family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in Portugal's Algarve on May 3, 2007 as her parents dined at a tapas restaurant with friends nearby. Mr and Mrs McCann, of Rothley, Leicestershire, have campaigned tirelessly for information on their daughter's whereabouts, battling for a review by the Metropolitan Police, which has now been under way for more than 18 months. Her father added: "In some respects I think we're actually in a better position now in terms of working out what happened, and having the Met involved has taken a huge amount of pressure off us now. They're doing all the things that we said needed to be done. When they're ready they'll come forward and ask the public for help." Mr and Mrs McCann said they did not yet know how they would mark the anniversary on Friday apart from a service in their local church. The couple will be carrying out a number of media interviews to mark the six year anniversary of Madeleine's disappearance.

The McCanns Interview - ITV Lorraine, 01 May 2013

The McCanns Interview ITV Lorraine Transcript By Nigel Moore [08:41] Lorraine Kelly: Right, this morning I'm joined by Kate and Gerry McCann and on Friday it's going to be six years since Madeleine went missing. Have look at this. [archive video sequence] Lorraine Kelly: [voice over] We all remember where we were when we heard the news. Kate Garraway: [archive footage] We have some breaking news for you this morning; this is just coming in to us. It is feared that a 3-year-old British girl has been abducted. Lorraine Kelly: [voice over] This is the final photo of Madeleine [c/u of poolside photo]. Seven hours later she disappeared from her family's holiday apartment in Portugal, while her parents and their friends ate at a restaurant nearby. The McCanns began a desperate search for Madeleine with appeals across Europe. Three months later they were faced with yet more turmoil when they were named as 'arguidos' - 'official suspects'. There had been dozens of sightings of Madeleine but, a year after her disappearance, the Portuguese Inquiry was officially shelved. The McCanns were eventually cleared of any involvement, in July 2008. Throughout this time, Kate and Gerry have never given up hope of finding their daughter and continue to raise money through charity events for missing children everywhere. [end of archive video sequence] Lorraine Kelly: Kate and Gerry McCann join me now. I can't believe it's six years. It's... for you, does it feel like it's gone by fast or how does it feel now, six years on?  Kate McCann: Sometimes it feels like yesterday and other times, like you say, you just sit there... six years - how... how did that pass by? Lorraine Kelly: Where are we in the investigation right now? Gerry McCann: Well, the Met have, errr... been reviewing the case for the last couple of years and I think they're doing a brilliant job and an analogy we use is: 'There are so many more pieces in the jigsaw now' and, errr... I think they've made real progress and, from our point of view, taken a huge amount of pressure off us as parents of a missing child. So, we feel that, you know, what's needed to be done is finally getting done. Lorraine Kelly: Just wish it had been done right at the start, that's the thing, isn't it? Gerry McCann: Well, reviews are always difficult, you know, there was huge amounts of information in different places. It's all been collated in... and gone over and every single lead's been looked at. So, I think, errr... you know, the Met will go public when the time's right but I'm sure there's... that there's a number of other areas that really do warrant further investigation. Lorraine Kelly: And I think it's astonishing how the two of you have been so strong and you've never given up hope. Kate McCann: Well, I don't think our hope's changed, really, since the first day or two. I think once Madeleine hadn't been found, errr... and there was no negative news, in the first day or two, we just thought there's a real chance, and it was a real chance she was alive and she's out there and nothing has changed since. Nothing has come to light that makes us think any differently. Gerry McCann: I think... Lorraine Kelly: So, you just have to keep hoping. Gerry McCann: I mean the difficulty is, in some respects, you... you don't know what's happened until you find the child or... or the person responsible and we've just got to keep going on... on that, and, errr... and there is real hope. Lorraine Kelly: And you support one another and get support from your family, as well. Gerry McCann: Kate needs a lot of support [laughs]. No, it's, errr... Lorraine Kelly: You do, but both of you really have, you look as if when one is feeling really down, you know, the other one can help. You know, it's that kind of thing, isn't it? Kate McCann: I mean, it's been a long... a long journey and, you know, we're obviously a lot stronger than we were in the first couple of years and, you know, we've... we've spoken before about reaching different stages at different times, or one person having a bad day when the other persons actually doing okay - and that works both ways, you know. I think we're both in as good a place as we can be at the moment and, as we just said, we're really encouraged by the Met's work. Lorraine Kelly: And also by the public too. Gerry McCann: Well, I was just going to say that, Lorraine that... that, you know, some weeks you can have a terrible time and the amount of support we've had from the public and people meeting you and... and just giving good wishes and support at the beginning was incredible - I think we have seen the best of people in this. Kate McCann: It still is, I mean, six years on, I mean, even like just... we had hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of Christmas cards and stuff and it really is humbling to think that, you know, obviously, we live with it every day for... but people who are unconnected, errm... to still be sending that much support and still thinking about Madeleine, it's really encouraging and it helps us beyond words, to be honest. Continues...

The McCanns visit the London studios, 01 May 2013

The McCanns visit the London studios Zimbio May 1, 2013 - Source: Gf/Bauer Griffin Kate McCann and Gerry McCann seen at the London studios today.

McCanns finding 'new normality', 01 May 2013

McCanns finding 'new normality' Yahoo! News Press Association – 09:58 Kate and Gerry McCann speak to reporters on the south bank in central London Madeleine McCann's parents have refused to give up hope that they might find their daughter as they prepare to mark the sixth anniversary of her disappearance. But Kate and Gerry McCann said they have found a "new normality" over the past few years as they come to terms with the absence of their oldest child. Madeleine was nearly four when she disappeared from her family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in Portugal's Algarve on May 3, 2007 as her parents dined at a tapas restaurant with friends nearby. Friday will mark the six-year anniversary of her disappearance. Mr and Mrs McCann, from Rothley, Leicestershire, said they continue to search for their daughter and remain as hopeful as ever - if not more so. Though another year has passed since Madeleine went missing, they are confident they might be in a better position as the Metropolitan Police continue to review the case. "In many ways things haven't changed and you could argue that, with the Met review two years in, we are actually in a better place because so much more information has been collated and lots of pieces of the jigsaw have been filled," Mr McCann, 44, told the Press Association. "It's just about keeping looking, find out what's happened to Madeleine and hopefully finding those responsible." He said he was confident in work being carried out by the Met, adding: "This is what we campaigned for and Kate will tell you that the Met are absolutely determined to see the job through. They feel like they are getting their teeth into the job." Mrs McCann, 45, added: "When people come in they are always really enthusiastic to help and as time goes by, if you don't yield results people's motivation can wane. I think the opposite has happened with the Met. They seem to be more determined than ever." The couple, who will mark the anniversary with a service in their village, said although they struggle with various occasions, including Madeleine's birthday, they are coping with her absence. "Probably the last couple of years it's been a new normality," said Mr McCann. "We have adapted to our situation. There isn't so much intrusion and we're not in the public eye very much so those pressures have disappeared. The thing for Kate and I was always about having a proper search and turning over every stone and we feel like that is being done." But he said that did not mean they did not still have hope: "Of course we miss Madeleine terribly but we still hope that we will find her. We are still in the same situation and for us we have got to keep going until we find Madeleine and those responsible." ----------------- McCanns: We still have hope Press Association video Madeleine McCann's parents have refused to give up hope that they might find their daughter as they prepare to mark the sixth anniversary of her disappearance. -------------------- Transcript By Nigel Moore Gerry McCann: I mean, in many ways things haven't changed and... and you could argue that we're... with the Met review two years in, that we're actually in a better place because, errm... so much more of the information has been collated and lots of pieces of the jigsaw are filled in. So, for us, it's... it's just about keep looking, errr... finding out what's happened to Madeleine and hopefully, errr... finding those responsible. --- Gerry McCann: The expertise and resource implications of what the Met can do they don't give us, you know, any concern, errr... it's fantastic. This is what we campaigned for and Kate will tell you that, you know, the Met are absolutely determined, errm... to see the job through, errr... Kate McCann: We al... you know, we always worried when... when people come in they're always really enthusiastic to help and obviously, as time goes by, if you don't yield results people's motivation can... can wane and yet, I'd say that was the opposite to what's happened with the Met. I think they've managed to uncover an awful lot and that's what's given them confidence and hope and I'd say they seem more determined than ever, which, for us, it's fantastic. --- Kate McCann: I mean, they've coped amazingly well and, you know, in... in many ways they're... they're no different to any other 8-year old child. You know, they've grown up knowing that Madeleine is missing, errr... she's their big sister and we're trying to find her and she should be back with us, so... they know all that and any question that they've put to us we've answered and that's all we can carry on doing. I think communication and information makes everybody feel more comfortable and I think that goes for children as well. It relieves anxiety. --- Kate McCann: On the anniversary we always have a service in the village, errm... we... we don't have any other plans. Her birthday is different and we both find that more difficult really because it's her special day and, you know, we should be there celebrating it. And... and we still do, we celebrate her anyway, errr... and... and the same will happen this year. We'll have a little birthday tea and a cake and, you know, that's... that's just a much harder day for us really. --- Kate McCann: The marathon wasn't towards Madeleine's Fund, it was towards the charity Missing People, so... I mean, it does help to think that you can give a bit back and try and help, you know, other children, errr... who are missing and... and particularly other families.

Take Madeleine McCann posters on holiday with you, her parents urge, 01 May 2013

Take Madeleine McCann posters on holiday with you, her parents urge Metro Wednesday 1 May 2013 10:43 am Kate and Gerry McCann giving interviews as the sixth anniversary of their daughter Madeleine's disappearance approaches (Picture: PA) The parents of Madeleine McCann are urging holidaymakers to take posters of their missing daughter on holiday to help in the search to find her. Kate and Gerry McCann said they have not lost hope that their daughter will be found nearly six years after she vanished. They said the involvement of the Metropolitan police now meant the hunt for their daughter was escalating, rather than grinding to a halt. Speaking on ITV's Daybreak, Mrs McCann urged the public to remember their daughter and always keep her in mind. 'The search is very much ongoing,' she said, as the sixth anniversary of Madeleine's May 3, 2007, disappearance approaches. 'Nothing is slowing down, if anything I feel it's escalating with the work of the Met. 'And again it's just be vigilant, please still take your posters on holiday and don't forget about her, she's still missing.   Madeleine McCann disappeared in May 2007 (Picture: PA) 'We haven't lost hope, our hope isn't any less than it was after the first 24, 48 hours.' In just two days time the family will mark the six-year anniversary of Madeleine's disappearance. She was nearly four when she disappeared from her family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in Portugal's Algarve in 2007 as her parents dined at a tapas restaurant with friends nearby. Mr and Mrs McCann, of Rothley, Leicestershire, have campaigned tirelessly for information on their daughter's whereabouts, battling for a review by the Metropolitan police, which has now been under way for more than 18 months. Mr McCann added: 'In some respects I think we're actually in a better position now in terms of working out what happened, and having the Met involved has taken a huge amount of pressure off us now. 'They're doing all the things that we said needed to be done. When they're ready they'll come forward and ask the public for help.' Mr and Mrs McCann said they did not yet know how they would mark the anniversary on Friday apart from a service in their local church. Kate McCann said a small service would be held for Madeleine on Friday (Picture: PA) The 'tremendous support' they have received from family, friends and the public in the years since Madeleine's disappearance have helped them not only keep going but stay strong as a couple, they said. 'It's a huge traumatic event, something like this,' Mrs McCann said. 'I think we were strong before it happened, which was a blessing. 'We've always communicated well, I think that's really important and without doubt the support we've had from family, friends, the general public.' Their daughter was never far from their minds and her bedroom at home is much the same as it was before her disappearance. Mrs McCann said she found solace in her local church, for which she has a key, but also from sitting quietly in Madeleine's room.

Madeleine McCann News: Kate & Gerry Insist Search Is Ongoing As Sixth Anniversary Approaches, 01 May 2013

Madeleine McCann News: Kate & Gerry Insist Search Is Ongoing As Sixth Anniversary Approaches Huffington Post UK By Sara C Nelson Posted: 01/05/2013 11:47 BST | Updated: 01/05/2013 15:06 BST [Screenshot of Kate McCann from Daybreak interview - short video clip on link above] As the sixth anniversary of the disappearance of Madeleine McCann approaches, her parents insist the search for her is ramping up rather than tapering off. Madeleine was nearly four when she disappeared from her family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in Portugal's Algarve on May 3, 2007 as her parents dined at a tapas restaurant with friends nearby. Friday will mark the sixth year since the toddler, who would now be 10, went missing. Madeleine McCann has been missing since 2007 Parents Kate and Gerry McCann, from Rothley, Leicestershire, on Wednesday said they continue to search for their daughter and remain as hopeful as ever - if not more so. The couple are confident they are be in a better position as the Metropolitan Police continue to review the case. "In many ways things haven't changed and you could argue that, with the Met review two years in, we are actually in a better place because so much more information has been collated and lots of pieces of the jigsaw have been filled," Gerry, 44, told the Press Association. "It's just about keeping looking, find out what's happened to Madeleine and hopefully finding those responsible." He said he was confident in work being carried out by the Met, adding: "This is what we campaigned for and Kate will tell you that the Met are absolutely determined to see the job through. "They feel like they are getting their teeth into the job." His wife added: "When people come in they are always really enthusiastic to help and as time goes by, if you don't yield results people's motivation can wane. On Wednesday, Kate and Gerry McCann expressed continued hope their daughter will be found "I think the opposite has happened with the Met. They seem to be more determined than ever." The couple, who will mark the anniversary with a service in their village, said although they struggle with various occasions, including Madeleine's birthday, they are coping with her absence. But they admitted they had found a "new normality" as the time passes. "Probably the last couple of years it's been a new normality," said Gerry. "We have adapted to our situation. "There isn't so much intrusion and we're not in the public eye very much so those pressures have disappeared. "The thing for Kate and I was always about having a proper search and turning over every stone and we feel like that is being done." But he said that did not mean they did not still have hope: "Of course we miss Madeleine terribly but we still hope that we will find her. "We are still in the same situation and for us we have got to keep going until we find Madeleine and those responsible." Kate, 45, said every sighting - especially in the early weeks and months - used to get their hopes up, but that had stopped happening. "I get friends and family who get in touch with me when they read about sightings, but I just think unless I have been contacted I don't think it's got any credibility." Earlier this month Kate revealed she "could probably forgive Madeleine's abductor". Speaking ahead of May 12, which would have been Madeleine's tenth birthday, she said: "There are moments when you despair, but they are infrequent now. As someone said: It's not that your burden gets any lighter. It's just that your legs get stronger. That really sums it up." There have been numerous reported sightings of Madeleine through the world. In 2007 photos of a blonde child being carried in a sling by a woman in Morocco prompted excited speculation she had been found. Bushra Binhisa - who was mistaken for Madeleine - with her parents and her family's registration certificate It quickly emerged the little girl - named Bushra Binhisa - was the daughter of an olive farmer of Berber extraction. In July a British woman spotted a youngster "bearing a remarkable likeness to Madeleine" at a market in the northern Indian town of Leh. There have also been reported sightings in Portugal, Belgium and France, but none have produced any firm leads. In February a DNA sample from a young girl in New Zealand who had been mistaken for the missing child was sent to Scotland Yard. It was later confirmed the voluntarily provided sample did not provide a match. The family will mark the anniversary of Madeleine's disappearance with a service in Rothley, they said, and do not really have any other plans. They said various markers in their daughter's life were difficult, even as the years passed, including her birthday on May 12. "Her birthday is difficult," said Kate. "We both find that more difficult really because it's her special day and we should be there celebrating it and we still do. "We still celebrate her anyway, and the same will happen this year, we have a little birthday tea and a cake. "That's a much harder day for us really." She said their twins Sean and Amelie, who were just two when their sister went missing, were coping well. "They have coped amazingly well and in many ways they are no different to any other eight-year-old child. "They have grown up knowing that Madeleine is missing, she is their big sister, we're trying to find her and she should be back home with us. "Any question they have put to us we have answered and that's all we can carry on doing. Communication and information makes anybody feel more comfortable. "At the moment they are doing brilliantly. "As they get older and they wander on the internet and other things, there will be more questions, but going by how things have panned out so far I think we will be alright, I think they'll handle it well." The couple urged people to remain vigilant and to report any sightings to police. Gerry added: "I think it's still about being vigilant and to remind people that we are looking for a 10-year-old girl, and not a three/four year old at the time. "But if they have any information, they think they have seen someone who could be Madeleine, then the route is to contact the police." Kate added: "I think to encourage everybody, it's six years on, but the way the Met review is going is really positive and with that, new hope. "The search goes on, in a major way."

Madeleine McCann News: Kate & Gerry Insist Search Is Ongoing As Sixth Anniversary Approaches (PICTURES), 01 May 2013

Madeleine McCann News: Kate & Gerry Insist Search Is Ongoing As Sixth Anniversary Approaches (PICTURES) Huffington Post UK

Kate and Gerry McCann, parents of missing Madeleine McCann, give an interview on the south bank in central London, nearly six years after she vanished.

Kate and Gerry McCann, parents of missing Madeleine McCann, give an interview on the south bank in central London, nearly six years after she vanished.

Kate McCann, mother of missing Madeleine McCann gives a TV interview on the south bank in central London, nearly six years after she vanished.

Kate and Gerry McCann, parents of missing Madeleine McCann, hold hands as they give an interview on the south bank in central London, nearly six years after she vanished.

Kate and Gerry McCann, parents of missing Madeleine McCann, give an interview on the south bank in central London, nearly six years after she vanished.

Kate and Gerry McCann, parents of missing Madeleine McCann, give an interview on the south bank in central London, nearly six years after she vanished.

Kate and Gerry McCann, parents of missing Madeleine McCann, give an interview on the south bank in central London, nearly six years after she vanished.

McCanns prepare to mark anniversary of Madeleine's disappearance, 01 May 2013

McCanns prepare to mark anniversary of Madeleine's disappearance Leicester Mercury Tom Mack Wednesday, May 01, 2013 The family of missing Madeleine McCann will be marking the anniversary of her disappearance by attending a church service. It will have been six years on Friday since Madeleine, then aged three, was snatched from an apartment building in the Portuguese resort of Praia de Luz. Madeleine McCann Father Keith Tomlinson, the Roman Catholic priest in the McCann's home village of Rothley, said Sacred Heart Church would be holding a special service. He said: "There will be a service at Rothley at 8.30pm on Friday for Madeleine McCann to mark the anniversary of her disappearance. "There's been a service every year around the time Madeleine was taken and the family come as well as parishioners from this church and the Anglican and Baptist churches in Rothley. "We all come together to pray for Madeleine and all missing children." Madeleine's disappearance sparked an international hunt and speaking during a television interview this morning, her parents said their belief was still as strong as ever that their daughter would be found. Kate and Gerry McCann appeared on ITV's Daybreak and spoke about their relationship and how they had managed to stay together and support each other. Kate replied: "We've had tremendous support and that's been the main thing that's carried us through. "Obviously it's a huge, traumatic event, something like this. "We were strong before it happened, which was a blessing, and we've always communicated well." Gerry said: "We've not always been at the same place at the same time but our relationship is incredibly strong. "And it's not just two people going through this - there are all the people around us." During the interview they urged people going on holiday this year to take posters with them and keep the hunt going. Kate said a new review of the Portuguese police investigation by the Metropolitan Police Service meant more was being down now than in previous years. She said: "The search is very much ongoing. Nothing is slowing down. "If anything it's escalating with the work of the Met. "We haven't lost hope. Our hope isn't any less that it was after the first 24 or 48 hours." Gerry added: "In some respect I think we're actually in a better position now in terms of working out what happened and having the Met involved has taken a huge amount of pressure off us. "They're doing all the things that we said needed to be done. When they're ready they'll come forward and ask the public for help."

Madeleine McCann's Parents 'Closer' To Truth, 01 May 2013

Madeleine McCann's Parents 'Closer' To Truth Sky News Kate and Gerry McCann Kate ask the public to remain vigilant as they talk to Sky News about adapting to life without Madeleine. 3:38pm UK, Wednesday 01 May 2013     Madeleine McCann's parents say a police review into their daughter's disappearance is making "excellent progress" as they mark the sixth anniversary since she went missing. In an interview with Sky News, Kate and Gerry McCann asked the public to remain vigilant about possible sightings and talked about adapting to life without Madeleine. Madeleine was nearly four when she vanished from her family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in Portugal on May 3, 2007 as her parents dined at a nearby tapas restaurant with friends. Friday will mark the six-year anniversary of her disappearance. "With the review the Met have been doing over the last two years I think we are closer to finding out what happened," Gerry McCann said. "But for Kate and I until we find Madeleine or the person responsible then we're still miles away." He also said of the review: "We certainly feel they're making excellent progress". The couple, who will mark the anniversary with a service in their village, said although they struggle with various occasions, including Madeleine's birthday, they are coping with her absence. "It's a horrible, confusing, uncomfortable situation to be in. As time's gone on we've obviously got stronger and you do adapt to living in that situation," said Kate. She said their home is full of photos and other memories of Madeleine. "She should be here and we should celebrate with her but we still celebrate her and her being part of our lives." Gerry McCann said that seen from a distance his family is like any other. The couple, from Rothley, Leicestershire, also have twins. "Twins do everything that other eight-year-olds do, and they've been a tremendous source of pleasure and joy for us," he said. "They're so adaptable and it's a matter of fact to them that they've grown up with their older sister missing." The couple thanked the public for their "tremendous support", and urged people travelling abroad to keep vigilant about possible sightings of Madeleine. "Someone knows - not just the people involved in the crime. Other people will know as well, or will be strongly suspicious," said Kate. Her husband added: "The key message is - if someone thinks they've seen Madeleine, contact police straight away." -------------------- Video: Kate and Gerry McCann Call For Vigilance Transcript By Nigel Moore Gerry McCann: I think we... with the review that the Met have been doing over the last two years I think we are closer to finding out what's happened just because more pieces of the jigsaw have... are filled in and that's been an incredibly important aspect but I think, for Kate and I, until we actually find Madeleine or the person responsible then, you know, we're still miles away. Adam Boulton: But... but your... you feeling is what on what you know as to... to her disappearance? What... what happened do you think? Kate McCann: Well, we still don't know. All we know, she was, you know, she was taken from us, errm... and it is difficult when people say 'any closer?' As Gerry said, I don't know what the step before knowing is, you know, until you've found her or the person who's taken her, how close are you, you know? It's difficult. Sarah-Jane Mee: And what's it been like, these six years? As you said, it's the not knowing that... that gets you. Kate McCann: Yeah, it is, it's a horrible, confusing situation to be in, errm... I think as time's gone on we've obviously got stronger and you do adapt to living in that situation. Sarah-Jane Mee: And the level of public support hasn't dropped. I mean, everybody in this country particularly is very well aware of who Madeleine McCann is and her story. How much has... has that helped you personally? Gerry McCann: Support has been tremendous, errr... and it's ongoing and I think, errm... it's hard to underestimate, errr... for a family who have been caught in a maelstrum in the public eye, just how, errm... how much that support has actually helped us and we get lots of mail still and people stop you in the streets - not so much where we live, where people are seeing you everyday, but if you're travelling around we get stopped and just a touch on the shoulder or something. Kate McCann: It's been incredible support, it really has. Gerry McCann: Yeah. Adam Boulton: Are you still looking to the public to help? I mean, at this distance can they provide help? I mean, obviously, there's someone who knows what happened. Kate McCann: Yeah. Gerry McCann: Absolutely. I think, you know, from our point of view, it's still about being vigilant and, errr... for potential sightings and, errr... when the Met are ready, errr... when they feel it is time to, errr... to ask for more information then, errm... they, you know, they'll do that in a proper public appeal. Adam Boulton: Kate, you... you've been running the London Marathon, errm... for, errr... Missing People, a charity you support. Is this a really unique and horrible occurrence or... or are other people losing children in this incredible unknown way? Kate McCann: I mean, I think there's... there's hundreds of thousands of missing children, errm... obviously, the... the number of children who have been abducted by a stranger is... is a very small percentage of that. But certainly from the family's point of view... from the parents point of view, that... obviously that sense of loss and pain is shared by all. So, it... it is a massive problem although obviously abduction... stranger abduction, I know parental abduction is another... Adam Boulton: [cuts in] It is very rare. Kate McCann: It is rare. Sarah-Jane Mee: And in... in terms of your family life - because you have twins - errm... what's life been like for them the last six years? I mean, we understand that Madeleine is still very much a part of your family and you talk about her openly to them. Gerry McCann: Absolutely. Well, the twins, I think from a distance, if you looked into our family, would look just like any other normal family, just with two kids there. Twins are... you know, do everything that other eight-year-olds do, and they've been a tremendous source of pleasure and joy for us. Errm... But they're... they're so adaptable and, errr... it's just a matter of fact to them that they've grown up with their... their older sister missing. Errm... But, you know, they... we talk to them openly about what we're doing; they know why we're in London today, errm... there's no subject off... off bounds for them. Adam Boulton: And you've kept Madeleine very much part of your lives. I mean your... you'll celebrate... that's probably the wrong word, but you'll mark her... her birthday with presents. Kate McCann: It is the right word, actually. I mean, to us, you know, obviously she should be here and we should be celebrating with her but we still celebrate her and her being part of our life, you know. And, yes, there's photographs round the house and there's a lot of memories of her, so she's very much alive in our house. Sarah-Jane Mee: And what will you do to... to mark the day, which is on Friday? Kate McCann: I think, errr... we always find her birthday more difficult, if I'm honest. Errm... We don't have any major plans on Friday, although there's always a service, errr... in the village on the third, errm... Gerry McCann: It is difficult, you know, it marks the day she was taken but, errm... it is, in many respects, just another day that she's missing but obviously... Kate McCann: [cuts in] It's a marker of time more than anything. Gerry McCann: Yeah. Adam Boulton: Operation Grange is... is underway; the, errm... Metropolitan Police, errr... review, errr... of the case. How... is... does... is... is that limited in terms of time, in terms of active involvement. Are you expecting a... a report at the end of it, or something? Gerry McCann: Well, the... the review is ongoing. We think they're doing a great job and in some respects because there was so much information, I get the feeling that the... the Met now feel that they're really just getting their teeth into it and they can see all these lines of inquiry that need followed up. So, errm... as far as I understand it, there's no timescale set and it's as long as progress is being made and we certainly feel, on the information we've been given, that they're... they're making excellent progress. Adam Boulton: And what about at the Portuguese end, where obviously there have been major problems in the past? Is that better? Gerry McCann: Sure. Well, having the Met doing the investigative review is taking a tremendous amount of pressure off us and they're liaising directly with the Portuguese authorities and, you know, they're working hard, errr... with the Portuguese in... authorities and, hopefully, it will mean that we will find out what happened. Sarah-Jane Mee: And Kate, how up to date are you kept with the ongoing investigation because you often hear family's who are in your situation saying that they're just not being kept up to date enough, they're not being told enough information but is this a unique case in... in terms of you being given information? Kate McCann: Well, obviously, this is the review process but our... our communication's been excellent, I think, and we are kept up to date and if there's any questions we have, you know, we can contact them directly and they'll always come back to us, so we've been really pleased. Gerry McCann: I don't... I don't think it's a special case, from that point of view though. Errm... Certainly what we have been told is that the Met, in particular, errr... have learnt from their past experiences with high profile cases and the level of engagement, errr... for the family's of... or the victims of serious crime, errm... is key. Sarah-Jane Mee: And just finally, obviously, we're approaching the summer holidays; family's are going away with their children, errm... in terms of looking for Madeleine, I mean, when she first went missing you saw posters of Madeleine in all the airports. Is that something that you still want to continue? Wat would you say to family's going abroad this summer? Kate McCann: Definitely, I'd say, you know, we've had so much support and thank you but please keep going, you know. Please contact us, we'll send out lots of posters and stuff, you know. Leave them around, you know. I think it... it's a reminder to everybody else, you know, and as you alluded to before, someone knows and it's just not... not... just not the people who are involved in the crime - other people will know as well, or be strongly suspicious and it just prompts people and pricks consciousness as well, so... Gerry McCann: I suppose the key message is - if someone thinks they've seen Madeleine - it's contact the police, straight away.

We're close to finding truth about Madeleine, say McCanns, 02 May 2013

We're close to finding truth about Madeleine, say McCanns Daily Express THE PARENTS of Madeleine McCann said yesterday they are closer than ever to finding out what happened to their missing daughter. By: David Pilditch Published: Thu, May 2, 2013 Kate and Gerry McCann said they had never given up hope of being reunited with their little girl as they prepare to mark the sixth anniversary of her disappearance. Yesterday they were given a huge boost when David Cameron pledged his ongoing support. In a face-to-face meeting the Prime Minister reassured the couple that the Scotland Yard review he ordered into Madeleine's disappearance two years ago would continue. The couple, who feared the investigation could be shelved in cost-cutting measures, were said to be "very encouraged and very grateful". Kate, 45, told ITV's Daybreak programme: "We haven't lost hope. Nothing is slowing down. It is escalating with the work the Met is doing." In a later interview cardiologist Gerry, 44, said: "With the review that the Met have been doing over the last two years I think we are closer to finding out what's happened, just because more pieces of the jigsaw are filled in. "When the Met are ready...they will do that in a proper public appeal. "The review is ongoing. We think they are doing a great job. "Because there is so much information I get the feeling that the Met feel they are really just getting their teeth into it. "Having the Met doing the review has taken a tremendous amount of pressure off us and they are liaising directly with the Portuguese authorities and hopefully it will mean that we will find out what happened." Kate added: "There is a real chance Madeleine is alive and is out there. "We are both in as good a place as we can be at the moment and really encouraged by the Met's work." The couple, from Rothley, Leicestershire, will mark the sixth anniversary of Madeleine's disappearance tomorrow at a service at their local church. Madeleine was nearly four when she disappeared from her family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in Portugal’s Algarve in 2007 as her parents dined at a nearby tapas restaurant with friends. Her 10th birthday falls later this month.

Six years on - Madeleine McCann parents remain hopeful, 02 May 2013

Six years on - Madeleine McCann parents remain hopeful Portugal News BY BRENDAN DE BEER · 02-05-2013 09:25:00 The parents of missing British toddler Madeleine McCann have this week said they believe their daughter still be found even though she has been missing since 3 May, 2007. Kate and Gerry McCann have said this week that the involvement of the Metropolitan Police has renewed hopes of finding their daughter. "The search is very much ongoing," Mrs McCann was quoted by PA as telling ITV Daybreak on Wednesday morning, adding: "Nothing is slowing down, if anything I feel it's escalating with the work of the Met. And again it's just about being vigilant, please still take your posters on holiday and don't forget about her, she's still missing. "We haven't lost hope, our hope isn't any less than it was after the first 24, 48 hours." Gerry McCann meanwhile said that "in some respects I think we're actually in a better position now in terms of working out what happened and having the Met involved has taken a huge amount of pressure off us now. "They're doing all the things that we said needed to be done. When they're ready they'll come forward and ask the public for help." "It's a huge traumatic event, something like this," Mrs McCann said. "I think we were strong before it happened, which was a blessing. We've always communicated well, I think that's really important and without doubt the support we've had from family, friends, the general public." The family will mark the sixth anniversary of her disappearance by means of prayer in their home village of Rothley, Leicestershire. Meanwhile, the Sunday Express revealed over the weekend that Operation Grange has cost the British taxpayer in excess of £4.5 million since investigations were launched at the request of British Prime Minister David Cameron in May 2011. Earlier this year, British inspectors visited Oporto to discuss the status of the investigation. Operation Grange, the name of the investigative review into the case, commenced in May 2011, but only started in Portugal at the end of that year. At the time, it was decided the Oporto-branch of the PJ, led by Helena Monteiro, would be the best option to liaise with Scotland Yard. Previously, the case had been handed to the PJ in Portimão, then in Faro, and later in Lisbon. In the UK, a murder team within the Homicide and Serious Crime Command was tasked to conduct the review and is led by Detective Chief Inspector Andy Redwood. Work of the team involves close collaboration with a senior investigating officer from the PJ and detectives have been to Portugal several times. Throughout the course of the review officers have been in close contact with the McCann family who have been assigned a Family Liaison Officer. The review team say they are in a unique position in that their task is to compile and review material from three separate strands - the Portuguese investigation, inquiries by UK law enforcement agencies, and the work of private investigators/agencies. Officers have been going through that material which they believe amounts to around 40,000 pieces of information equating to approximately 100,000 pages. The objective of the review team is to work with the Portuguese authorities with a view to having the case, which has remained closed since 2008, re-opened in due course, Scotland Yard said. "From the outset we have approached this review with a completely open mind, placing Madeleine McCann at the heart of everything we do. We are working on the basis of two possibilities here. One is that Madeleine is still alive; and the second that she is sadly dead", DCI Andy Redwood said last year. Madeleine's Fund climbed to around 2.5 million euros in the immediate months after her disappearance in May 2007, but in 2009, Gerry McCann told The Portugal News, "We are in danger of running out of money by the end of the year." While the Fund has admitted it has scaled back following UK Prime Minister David Cameron's creation of Operation Grange, it revealed that it still pays for "a 24-hour, 7 day a week telephone line to receive and capture information from around the world which may assist the investigation while also supporting a small investigation team, including a Portuguese speaker to help with the above and with campaign activities."

Updates, 02 May 2013

Updates: findmadeleine.com 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