THE parents of Madeleine McCann marked a painful milestone yesterday in the
hunt for their daughter as a month passed since she was abducted.
Kate and Gerry McCann have spent the past four weeks tirelessly searching for
the little girl, criss-crossing Europe to make
appeals for help.
But yesterday the torment proved too much. Mrs McCann broke down in tears
during a church service in Praia da Luz, the Algarve town
where Madeleine vanished.
She cried after a young Portuguese girl kissed her when the congregation was
asked to exchange a sign of peace.
Clutching Madeleine's favourite toy Cuddle Cat and a copy of the children's
book We're Going on a Bear Hunt, Mrs McCann struggled to compose herself. She
wore the familiar green and yellow ribbons in her hair and was supported by her
husband throughout the hour-long service.
The couple, both 38, spent a quiet day with their twins Sean and Amelie, two,
taking them to a nearby beach. They issued a statement to mark a calendar month
since their eldest child was snatched from her bed.
"It is incredibly difficult not having Madeleine here," they said.
"As every day, every week, becomes a month, we still believe she is out
there and alive and we remain positive and determined that we will find her
soon with everyone's help."
Last week, the McCanns met the Pope at the Vatican and Mrs McCann often
carries rosary beads.
The McCanns are determined to keep their daughter's abduction in the public
eye, and are to appoint a long-term campaign manager to maintain awareness of
her plight.
Harry Potter author JK Rowling is considering putting bookmarks bearing the
face of the missing four-year-old in copies of her final Hogwarts novel, Harry
Potter and the Deathly Hallows, due out on 21 July.
Green and yellow wristbands - yellow to reflect the ribbons used to mark the
four-year-old's disappearance,
and green to represent the Portuguese symbol of hope - have gone on sale for a
minimum donation of £1. |
