The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
‘Still hope’ for Madeleine as anniversary marked Services in Portugal and Leicestershire
The family of missing Madeleine McCann has said there is still hope – as services were held in Portugal and Leicestershire to mark the 10th anniversary of her disappearance.
Madeleine was three when she vanished from apartment 5A of the Ocean Club resort at about 9pm on May 3 2007.
Flowers, balloons, a picture of the little girl, a heart made of rocks and a teddy bear with a yellow ribbon have been placed outside the church in Praia da Luz.
Meanwhile in Rothley, Leicestershire – the village where the McCanns live – a service to remember missing children including Madeleine was held at the parish church.
Speaking after the service, Madeleine’s great aunt Janet Kennedy said the family were “very moved” by the gathering.
She added: “The idea was ‘yes, it’s 10 years, but we’re not going to be ground down by this’ because the essential message is we still have hope.”
Brian Kennedy, Madeleine’s great uncle, said: “I met quite a few press people 10 years ago and I would never have believed at that time we would still be here talking to you, seeing you, having services and so on as long as this.
“But as the poem says ‘for as long as it takes’. I don’t know where the end is or how it will end but nobody else does. There’s hope.”
Inside the church, photos of Madeleine and other loved ones who have disappeared were displayed with messages attached to yellow ribbons.
One, written by Lily, said: “I pray that Madeleine is found safe wherever she is. And that one day she will return.”
Another read: “I pray Madeleine will come back one day.”
The service, led by the Rev Rob Gladstone, began with Cat Stevens’ rendition of Morning Has Broken and included tea lights being lit for missing children.
A special assembly was held at Rothley School to pray for Madeleine and other missing children, with new ribbons tied to the Tree of Hope which was planted in 2007.