A pal said: 'Kate’s big birthday is another tough date for her.'

KATE McCann celebrates her milestone 50th birthday tomorrow and hopes police will continue the search into daughter Madeleine’s disappearance.

Close friends and family will help her mark the special occasion which will be tinged with sadness as the haunted mum is still no closer to knowing what happened to Maddie after nearly 11 years.

A pal said: “Kate’s big birthday is another tough date for her. While celebrations go on there is a always a reminder that Madeleine, who would now be a teenager, almost 15 years old, is still missing.
 

“Kate’s only birthday wish is to find out what happened to her eldest child and she hopes and prays that police will be granted extra funds to carry on their important work to help find her.”

In a past interview with The Sun she said: “We just want to know if she is alive or dead. The worst thing is not knowing.”

Met Police assigned to Operation Grange have less than four weeks left of guaranteed funding.

They applied to the Home Office mid last month for more money to “pursue one significant final line of inquiry” but as yet no decision has been made.

One of Kate's pals said: “They’re trying to keep her buoyed up and helping her celebrate a significant birthday. It’s a few months of milestones - the twins became teenagers last month, Kate’s turning 50 and Gerry’s 50th birthday is in June.

“While the family’s determined to have fun and enjoy as normal a life as possible, these occasions are marred with a tinge of sadness because Madeleine is not here to join in the celebrations.”

Kate and heart doctor husband Gerry, 49, of Rothley, Leics, celebrated twins Sean and Amelie turning 13 on February 1 with prayers

too for Maddie “wherever she is.”
 

Next Sunday Kate will face her 11th Mother’s Day without Maddie -  a day she has previously described as painful and “a constant reminder that one of my babies isn’t with me.”

The brave parents cling onto a glimmer of hope that Maddie, who was snatched as a three-year-old, could still be alive.

They believe she was taken by a child trafficker, sex predator or during a bungled burglary at her family’s holiday flat in the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz in May 2007.

Family spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: “Kate and Gerry are extremely grateful to police for all they have done and are doing in the continued search for Madeleine .

“They are very encouraged that there remains work to be done that requires a request for an extra budget and they remain thankful to the Home Office for considering it.”

The current funding of £154,000 runs out at the end of this month. It is understood cops are seeking an extra £150,000. The inquiry has already cost the taxpayer £11.2million

A Home Office spokesperson said: “The Metropolitan Police has made a further application for funding, which is currently being considered. A decision has not yet been made.”

A SY spokesperson said: “The inquiry has not reached a conclusion and we’re hoping to continue with focus and determination.”

The McCanns have nearly £3/4million saved in a fund to help find their daughter -  giving them a lifeline if the police hunt is axed next month.