We still hope Madeleine’s alive, say grandparents

Oct 17 2007 by Alan Weston, Liverpool Daily Post

THE grandparents of Madeleine McCann said last night they had not given up hope that the four-year-old will be found alive.

Brian and Sue Healy, of Mossley Hill, spoke as a new poster campaign was launched appealing for sightings of the youngster.

The billboard and newspaper adverts will be targeted at the remoter parts of Spain and Portugal in the hope that they yield vital new information as to Madeleine’s whereabouts.

Members of the Merseyside branch of the Find Madeleine Campaign met in Formby last night to hear about the latest efforts to relaunch the campaign to find the youngster.

The focus has been relentlessly on her parents, Kate and Gerry, since their return to the UK last month after being made formal suspects in the investigation by Portuguese police.

Mrs Healy, the mother of Liverpool-born Kate, said: “We’re not accepting that Madeleine is dead at this stage.

“I’m prepared to suffer for longer in the hope Madeleine is alive.

“We have been so worried at the situation Kate and Gerry find themselves in, that it takes away the impetus from moving the campaign forward and to carry on searching for Madeleine.

“It has been a dreadful, painful period for them. The general public have been extremely supportive but it’s still hateful to read some of the things that have been said about Kate.”

Mrs Healy added: “Kate will have periods when she is absolutely devastated, hysterical, bereft. This happens to her once or twice a day.

“These are the things that people don’t understand are happening to her. I’m amazed at her strength, even though she is terribly hurt at what’s been said about her.

“It’s hard to envisage how they move forward without Maddie. Kate is aware she may not ever enjoy life again.”

As well as the poster campaign, a series of events are planned for Merseyside to mark six months from the date when the youngster vanished from an apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, on May 3.

These include a vigil to be held at the Bishop Eaton church in Woolton where Kate and Gerry were married, a one-day charity golf tournament at Childwall Golf Club, and a charity run.

Among those attending last night’s meeting was Lynda McQueen, a childhood friend of Kate’s who has just spent nine days with the McCanns at their home in Leicestershire.

Mrs McQueen said: “It was hard enough to come home without Madeleine, without having to face what she’s had to face.

“She is very, very strong. She’s had a few low days and cries a couple of times a day, but she doesn’t let that out the door.”

alanweston