INTERNET trolls are backing a court challenge to Madeleine McCann’s parents.

They could help to strip the couple of £357,000 they hope to use to find her. 

Ex-police chief Goncalo Amaral, 56, has been flooded with nearly £50,000 in public donations since he lost a libel hearing against Kate and Gerry McCann six months ago. 

The GoFundMe webpage donors include trolls who have abused the McCanns online.

Three appeal court judges are expected to begin re-assessing the evidence on Wednesday. 

If they find in Mr Amaral’s favour the damages award will be quashed. 

A friend of the couple admitted they were “exasperated” by the appeal and the source of its funding.

The pal said: “Some of the people who have donated money to this have said the most appalling things on the internet even though they know nothing about the case and have no direct involvement in it.

“It seems strange indeed these people may be indirectly able to influence civil court proceedings. Kate and Gerry are exasperated.”