Missing Maddy - anonymous hotline opened

by Chris Johnson. Published Tue 28 Apr 2009 15:53, Last updated: 2009-04-29

The parents of missing Madeleine McCann have told how they take hope from the cases of children who have been held prisoner for years before being found.

Kate and Gerry McCann say the ordeals suffered by Elizabeth Smart, Shawn Hornbeck and Natascha Kampusch show that youngsters can survive after they go "off radar".

And the couple have launched a new push to trace her through internet social networkorking sites like Facebook.

Alongside that campaign they have also opened a new hotline and web portal for anonymous tip-offs from people who may have information about who took Maddy.

The move comes after a poster campaign was launched in the Praia da Luz area of Portugal where she vanished.

And to co-incide the the second anniversary of her disappearance a Portuguese language version of the "Find Madeleine" web site has been posted created.

Heart specialist Gerry, and his wife Kate say the hunt for Maddy is re-focusing on Portugal
because residents "have never been properly asked about information they may have to give".

Dr McCann, 40, and his Liverpool-born husband Kate, 41, are to appear on the Oprah Winfrey show appealing for information on their daughter whose 6th birthday is next month.

A fund to aid the hunt for Maddy raised more than #1.5m but despite extensive enquires and many alleged sightings she is still missing.

In a news statement on their web site the McCanns, of live in Rothley, Leices say: "As the second anniversary of Madeleine's abduction approaches, there is much still to be done.

"We continue to remain focussed on our aim - to find Madeleine and bring her back home safely. As Madeleine's parents we cannot and will not ever stop doing all we can to find her.

"The search for Madeleine continues with the same strength and determination, and thankfully, there are many people who are continuing to help in a variety of ways.

"The reduction in media reporting does not signify a lack of effort - far from it! If anything, the search for Madeleine goes on with renewed vigour and great experience.

"We have quietly and persistently been working very hard - exploring all possible avenues in order to get that key piece of information. Someone somewhere knows where Madeleine is.

"It is impossible for us to ignore the day to day heartache of missing Madeleine but there is however, a very important and positive fact that remains - in spite of all the investigative work done, there is still absolutely nothing to suggest harm to Madeleine.and therefore, a very real likelihood that Madeleine is alive and well.

"You only have to recall the cases of Elizabeth Smart, Shawn Hornbeck and Natascha Kampusch to appreciate that children can seem to disappear 'off the radar' for very long periods of time.

"The return of these children to their families not only gives us great hope but also starkly emphasises that perseverance is essential, and surely what every such child deserves.

"It is vital that we never, ever give up on Madeleine.

"Can you imagine a little girl or boy out there, hoping and waiting to be found but for people then to 'write them off', forget about them, just because there's been no 'news'? For that child never to be reunited with their family because everyone had given up on them? Just imagine.........

"And so, we will never, ever give up.

"We urge you to remember Madeleine as a real, living and findable little girl.

"Our most sincere thanks go to everyone who is helping us in our efforts. You know why we must keep going.

"Please don't give up on Madeleine."

The Finde Madeleine website is at: http://www.findmadeleine.com/


* Elizabeth Smart was abducted from her Salt Lake City, Utah on June 5, 2002 at the age of 14. She was found alive nine months later on in March 2003 about 18 miles from her home,

* Shawn Hornbeck was missing for more than four years before being discovered in Kirkwood, Missouri, on in January 2007 by police searching another missing boy.

* Natascha Kampusch was held in a secret cellar by her kidnapper Wolfgang Priklopil for more than eight years, until she escaped on 23 August 2006.





Comments about Missing Maddy - anonymous hotline opened

Eltern von Maddie , bitte melden Sie sich bei mir . Lg Wanita
Wanita Manger, Deutschland around 2 years ago
http://censuredinuk09.blip.tv/#2046709 Please watch (English subtitles). The truth will be out! Truth & Justice for Maddie, aged 3
JillyCL, Surrey, UK around 2 years, 9 months ago
Some good questions which give cause for concern: http://madeleinefoundation.org/main/30-reasons/
Sherlock Holmes, Baker Street, London around 2 years, 9 months ago
Now is the time to hold out a carrot. More than one person knows where she is. Cranks will phone but one could have the answer. God Bless.
Beth Hanna, Holywood,Co Down around 2 years, 9 months ago
Some EXTRAORIDINARY comments here. some people need to take a long, hard look at themselves.
Anglo, Liverpool around 2 years, 9 months ago
Nice to see the McCann hate forums out in action. Madeleine was abducted - an independent US investigtive show came to that conclusion.
Erin, USA around 2 years, 9 months ago
The McCanns want your help to find Madeleine. Stop criticising and keep looking. You are such shining examples of perfection!! NOT!!
jean, cheshire around 2 years, 9 months ago
All you bleeding heart brigade: do you see flying pigs? You clearly see the emperor's new clothes.
Marni, London around 2 years, 9 months ago
Those high priced lawyers sure 'eat up' the fund money don't they?
Jessa, Birmingham around 2 years, 9 months ago
I take it this HOTLINE is for the McCanns ears only. Suspects with their own confidential line . Never ever heard of it.
dumouchelwolf, ireland around 2 years, 9 months ago
The people of PdL have given all they had. Now which sacrifices did the parents make?
rose mestre, Mexico around 2 years, 9 months ago
The comments section here is being targeted by an anti-McCann Hate Site.Ignore the stupid hateful comments.
DeBunker, Moral High Ground around 2 years, 9 months ago
ANOTHER hotline? What good will this do? Better to answer the questions Kate and return for the reconstruction. No stone unturned???
Julie, UK around 2 years, 9 months ago
Wonder how these negative people would feel if this was their son or daughter missing
Angela Clarke, Hartlebury around 2 years, 9 months ago
How anyone with a modicum of sense believes the child to be still alive beats me,
Judy, Inverness around 2 years, 9 months ago
Help find this sweet little girl who is somewhere out there waiting to be found, please donate to help find her, pray for her safe return.
anonymous, France around 2 years, 9 months ago
Why has so little been spent on looking for this child compared to the vast amounts from the fund on media, legal fees and salaries etc!
Rose, Rothley around 2 years, 9 months ago
What a good idea - after all somebody knows where Madeline is !
sue, suelawrence3@hotmail.co.uk around 2 years, 9 months ago
is that a new bunch of detectives then? or did the old ones change their phone number
dave, london around 2 years, 9 months ago
Special blessings to Madeleine and her family---our prayers are with you. Someone knows something--please bring this beautiful child home
Jane, North Carolina around 2 years, 9 months ago
There is no sign of an abductor, there is no sign of Madeleine, but the fund must be filled again.
Alisha, Switzerland around 2 years, 9 months ago
My heart goes out to the McCanns - a real nightmare. They made a simple mistake. Don't pilory them now fo doing all they can to find Maddy.
Larry Harding, Wirral, UK around 2 years, 9 months ago
I had to look twice at the author of this piece. It could easily have been written by Harry Enfield's "GIVE US YER MONEY!" character!
JillyCL, Surrey UK around 2 years, 9 months ago
Excuse me, scrollup & look at her face. You should be ashamed. You're clearly on the wrong side of good.
Chris, Canada around 2 years, 9 months ago
Mr.Amarals Documentation should be watched first !
Anne, Germany around 2 years, 9 months ago
excuse me is this a news article a or an advertisement for a non charitable fund?
Joana , pt around 2 years, 9 months ago


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