Madeleine parents still hope, 14 years on
MADELEINE Mccann’s parents will “never stop hoping” they will find their daughter as they spend tomorrow’s poignant 14th anniversary of her disappearance alone, a close relative has said.
Kate and Gerry’s resolve over the years has helped them cope with their devastating loss as they are “great survivors” and have been lucky to have “huge support”.
The couple will remember their daughter privately behind closed doors after an outdoor prayer gathering has been cancelled for a second year because of the coronavirus lockdown.
But they are still urging local villagers and well-wishers to come together remotely to “remember and pray for
Madeleine” just nine days before her 18th birthday.
Madeleine’s great-uncle, Brian Kennedy, said: “It really is hard at times to think of how long this loss has been but we never stop hoping.
“Gerry and Kate have been great survivors and are fortunate in having the huge support that is still out there.”
Churches in Rothley, Leicestershire, will be sharing prayers and readings online to mark the occasion.
Madeleine was three when she vanished from a holiday apartment in Portugal’s Praia da Luz on May 3, 2007. She had been left sleeping with her younger twin siblings while her parents were dining nearby with friends.
Brian, 81, said: “We have decided with the Rothley churches that once again we will not hold a general gathering, though we had been hoping to do so.we all consider that distancing would still be a problem if the usual numbers were to attend and we wouldn’t feel entirely happy about that.
“So each of the churches will do their own service [today] and Monday, and make them available as widely as possible by streaming.”
Convicted paedophile and rapist Christian Brueckner, 44, remains under investigation as the prime suspect in Madeleine’s abduction.