Gerry and
Kate, both 40, decided to take a break for the sake of
their three-year-old twins.
The “incredibly difficult” getaway came 14 months after
Madeleine vanished during a holiday in Portugal.
Gerry
said: “We recently managed to have a break, visiting
family. Sean and Amelie have had a brilliant time and it
has been great for me to spend so much time with them.
“Although
this has been a relaxing break, it has been incredibly
difficult for Kate and me to have been on holiday
without Madeleine.”
The
devastated dad, of Rothley, Leics, opened his heart on
his blog on the Find Madeleine website after the
family’s break at a secret location.
Madeleine
was three years old when she disappeared from the
family’s holiday apartment at Praia da Luz on May 3 last
year.
Her parents, who are still official suspects in the
case, say they are keeping an eye on reports that the
investigation could be closed by police in Portugal.
Gerry said: “Our independent investigation continues and
we urge people going on holiday to remain vigilant.”
He and his
wife have also vowed to keep campaigning for a
Europe-wide alert system for missing children.
Gerry said
they were “very pleased” after Euro MPs signed a
declaration calling for a US style “Amber Alert” scheme.