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Original Source:
Express 12 May 2007 [Now removed from internet] |
Saturday
May 12,2007
By David Pilditch in Praia da Luz |
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TODAY
the parents of missing Madeleine McCann
should be celebrating her fourth
birthday.
Instead, they do not even know if their
beloved daughter is dead or alive.
For increasingly gaunt mother Kate, the
pain is becoming almost too much to bear
and friends fear for her health.
But she and her husband Gerry will have
to summon what reserves of inner
strength they still possess to endure
the cruellest of days as they wait yet
again for news of their child who
disappeared from a resort in Praia da
Luz, Portugal, on May 3.
Instead of celebrations, they have
arranged a special vigil at a church
close to their Algarve apartment where
they will pray for Madeleine’s safe
return.
The couple also face the harrowing task
of telling their two-year-old twins,
Amelie and Sean, why they will be
without their sister on her special day.
Yesterday the grim hunt continued as a
British couple were questioned by
police, and Real Madrid and former
England football star David Beckham was
the latest celebrity to appeal for a
happy ending to the McCanns’ ordeal.
Amid speculation that Madeleine could
have been taken over the border into
Spain, her parents said they would leave
“no stone unturned” to find her.
Thanking wellwishers for the support
they have received from around the
world, Mr McCann said he and his wife
remained “positive and focused”.
He said: “We have been moved by the
enormous willingness of people to do all
they can to help.”
Mr and Mrs McCann had planned to return
to their home in Rothley,
Leicestershire, a week ago to celebrate
Madeleine’s birthday.
Dozens of relatives and friends had been
invited and a close friend had baked a
birthday cake with the theme of Doctor
Who, her favourite TV programme.
There had even been suggestions that the
party might go ahead without Madeleine
in recognition of the day’s
significance. But relatives last night
said it would be put on hold until her
safe return.
However, balloons will be released at
nearby Queniborough Hall this morning to
mark Madeleine’s day.
Wellwishers are also planning to leave
birthday cards at Rothley’s war
memorial, which has become a focal point
for locals to pray for Madeleine’s safe
return.
Pub landlady Valerie Armstrong, who
organised a vigil at the monument, said:
“People in the village would like to
mark Madeleine’s birthday but it was
felt inappropriate to turn it into a
party atmosphere.
“The family felt it would be better to
wait for Madeleine to come home and have
a party and a cake then.”
Hundreds of yellow ribbons of hope and
messages of support and cuddly toys have
been attached to railings surrounding
the memorial.
Mrs Armstrong said: “The village green
here is continuing to be a focal point,
not just for those in this village, but
all other villages.”
On the Algarve, there was growing
concern over how long 38-year-old Mrs
McCann could stand the torment. A friend
who has flown out to help said: “We are
worried about the state of Kate’s
health. She has not slept or eaten since
the night Madeleine went missing.” |
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