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The
parents of Madeleine McCann said today a police review of
her case was 'a huge step' in the effort to help trace the
missing girl.
A team of
detectives in Portugal has been re-appointed to re-examine
the original investigation into Madeleine’s disappearance,
after she vanished while on a family holiday in the Algarve
almost five years ago.
It follows
a review by Scotland Yard officers which began last May.
Speaking
ahead of a 10 kilometre run for a missing people’s charity
in Regent’s Park, London, Gerry McCann said: 'We’re 10
months into the Met’s review process and it’s important for
us.
'It’s
taken pressure off us, knowing the police are actually
reviewing everything. It’s a huge step for us.'
Madeleine
was nearly four when she went missing from her family’s
holiday flat in Praia da Luz, in the Algarve, in May 2007 as
her parents Kate and Gerry dined with friends nearby.
The
McCanns were joined by hundreds of families and friends of
other missing people for the charity run in Regent’s Park,
including Peter Lawrence, father of missing York chef
Claudia Lawrence, and Rachel Elias, sister of rock star
Richey Edwards, rhythm guitarist and co-lyricist of the
Manic Street Preachers.
Almost 1,000 runners took part in this year's Miles for
Missing People event.
Organised
by the charity Missing People, the 10km run aims to raise
funds for its 24-hour lifeline which offers support to
families of missing people across the UK.
Kate
McCann said: 'It's a cause and a charity very close to our
hearts. We've been able to meet people who are in similar
situations. Although each experience is unique, we are all
going through that fight and pain of not having a loved one
with us.'
Mr
Lawrence, whose daughter Claudia vanished in March 2009,
said the Miles for Missing People provides 'tremendous
support'.
Miss
Lawrence failed to arrive for her 6am shift at the
University of York.
Speaking
ahead of the third anniversary of her disappearance, Mr
Lawrence said: 'No day is good, especially this weekend, but
meeting other families really does help.
'The
helpline is absolutely essential for all the people who go
missing in this country.'
He added:
'As the search for Claudia continues, the tremendous support
generated by Miles for Missing People is invaluable in
helping people to cope with the consequences of someone in
their life going missing, maximising the chances of finding
them.'
Missing
People chief executive Martin Houghton-Brown said: 'If your
loved one went missing, wouldn't you want the world to stop
and look for them? The charity Missing People is building a
dedicated community of people ready to join the search
online, at work and in their communities.' |
