Madeleine McCann: Parents appeal for support

Sep 3 2007

The parents of missing Madeleine McCann have urged people to continue asking for posters of their daughter to be displayed in holiday resorts, although the couple are reducing their own public profile.

It is four months today since three-year-old Madeleine disappeared from her bed in a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, while her parents ate with friends at a nearby tapas restaurant.

Her parents have endured many milestones during the search, including Madeleine’s fourth birthday on May 12, and have maintained a high-profile campaign which has kept the little girl’s face in the news.

In his blog on the website www.findmadeleine.com, Gerry McCann said yesterday that the couple now plan to have a lower profile, although the hunt for Madeleine continues.

“Several people have been asking about whether they should still be putting up posters of Madeleine since I have said the campaign will be having a lower media profile - especially of Kate and I,” he wrote.

“The advice of the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children is that high visibility of the missing child through posters, car stickers etc increases the chances of finding that child.

“Kate and I therefore would encourage you to continue taking posters on holiday and ask permission to have them displayed in supermarkets, post offices and shops.”

Madeleine’s parents do not know for certain if their daughter is still alive although they remain hopeful.

No one has been charged with her kidnap on May 3.