Missing blonde-haired toddler Madeleine McCann was separated from her parents 1000 days ago.
Her cherubic face is recognised around the globe, and parents Kate and Gerry urge the public to keep the hunt for three-year-old Madeleine, who would now be aged 6, at the forefront of their minds.
Little Maddie was allegedly snatched from an apartment in the Ocean Club resort in the Portuguese village of Praia da Luz, on 3rd May 2007, as her parents dined with friends at a nearby tapas restaurant.
Dr McCann, 40, and his Liverpool-born husband Kate, 41, have never given up hope of finding their daughter.
To raise further awareness, and mark this unwanted anniversary, 1,000 lanterns will be released at locations across the UK by friends, family and supporters of the McCanns at 7.30pm this evening.
In Liverpool, crowds will gather at Formby Football Club on Altcar Road, where 250 lanterns will fill the sky.
Kate's mum and dad, Susan and Brian Healey of Allerton, have expressed a wish for the people of Merseyside to show their support to the continued search for their granddaughter.
Susan Healey said: "The message is for people not to give up on Madeleine.
"It is sad that it is a school day so many children from this area will not be able to join us for the lantern release, but they can support us by quiet reflection in their own homes.
"There has been so much negative publicity surrounding the possibility Madeleine could be dead.
"We need the public to join us in the continued search, because the fact is, absolutely nothing has changed from day one. No one knows what has happened to her.
"I can't explain what it is like. It's dreadful."
Madeleine's younger twin brother and sister, Amelie and Sean, will be with their parents at a lantern ceremony in London this evening.
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.
Writer and poet Simon Armitage has written a touching verse to mark 1,000 days since the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.
The Beacon
Dusk, doubt, the growing depth of an evening sky,
dark setting in as it did that night,
the forever vastness of outer space
reflecting the emptiness here inside,
shadowing, colouring, clouding the mind.
But somewhere out there there has to be life,
the distance only a matter of time,
a world like our own, its markings and shades
as uniquely formed as a daughter’s eye,
distinctly flecked, undeniably hers,
looking back this way through the miles and years
to a lantern cupping a golden blaze,
its candle alive with a fierce blonde flame
for the thousandth time, for as long as it takes.
derek spring, NR COVENTRY around 1 month, 1 week ago