Supporters of Kate and Gerry McCann will launch 1,000 glowing paper lanterns into the night sky tomorrow in Britain, Portugal and the US to mark the 1,000th day since Madeleine went missing.

The couple will attend a fund-raising event with 180 guests at a £150-a-head dinner, raffle and auction at Kensington Roof Gardens.

It is understood those invited include Sir Richard Branson, who owns the venue, JK Rowling and the couple's millionaire backer Brian Kennedy.

Half the money raised will go to the McCanns' fund to finance the search for Madeleine and the rest will be split between the charities Missing People and Missing Children Europe

Madeleine was nearly four when she went missing from her Algarve holiday flat at Praia da Luz on 3 May 2007 while her parents dined with friends nearby.

The McCanns, both 41, of Rothley, Leicestershire, have spent hundreds of thousands of pounds hiring private detectives to continue the search for their daughter.

McCann family spokesman Clarence Mitchell stressed that there was no “crisis” in the fund, which stands at about £500,000.