City will never forget Maddie

Aug 16 2007 Liverpool Daily Post

SUPPORTERS of Madeleine McCann's family were besieged by well-wishers when they set up a stall in Church Street to mark 100 days since her disappearance, last Saturday.

In the weeks and months since the little girl was abducted from her apartment bedroom in the Portuguese resort of Praia Da Luz, support shown by her mother’s home city has never wavered nor shown any sign of flagging.

Now Kate McCann has paid tribute, saying the “solidarity” she has received gave her the strength to keep going.

Speaking to the Liverpool Daily Post from a hotel near the spot where Mad- eleine was taken, Kate stressed her grat- itude for the unfailing support and good wishes from the people of Liverpool.

She told how she taught Madeleine to share her love of Liverpool – and Everton FC – and images of the little girl playing in Calderstones Park feature in internet video appeals. Her parents say these images capture a time when Madeleine was happiest – having fun with her Liverpool family.

She and husband Gerry are in an un-imaginable situation. Their lives have been ripped apart in the most bewildering and appalling way, and they have had their every action scrutinised and questioned. In recent weeks, they have been attacked and openly criticised in the Portuguese media, to the extent that they were eventually forced to keep their young twins from playschool because of the intense scrutiny.

Through it all, Kate, who grew up in Anfield and Allerton, and whose parents Brian and Susan Healy still live in the city, says the messages of support from her home gave her the “strength of resolve to carry on.”

Kate and Gerry McCann are now fac- ing up to the reality that one day they may have to travel home to Britain from Portugal without their missing daughter being found. One of their greatest fears is that Madeleine will cease to be a story, that people will start to forget about her.

But Liverpool is behind the McCanns. This is a city with a long memory; there is no danger that Madeleine McCann and her family will be forgotten here.