By
Katie Silver
Last updated at 7:37 AM on 22nd December 2011
The parents of missing Madeleine McCann today thanked supporters for their help, saying they will move into 2012 with ‘renewed energy and continued hope’.
In a message on the Find Madeleine website, Kate and Gerry McCann said: ‘It’s Christmas – again. A time of mixed emotions for our family and many others in similar positions around the world. A time to hold together.’
They added that they had ended the year on a positive note, with the launch of the Government’s Missing Children and Adults’ Strategy earlier this month.
The McCann parents continue their desperate search for new information, mentioning that Christmas is a particularly hard time for those with missing children
Still, the distressed parents appealed for new information, imploring: ‘Do you hold the missing piece of the puzzle?’
And last week, Spanish private
detectives claimed to have handed Scotland Yard ‘important leads’ in the
search for the couple’s daughter.
Madeleine was nearly four when she went missing from her family’s holiday flat in Praia da Luz in the Algarve on May 3 2007 as her parents dined with friends nearby.
Writing on their website today, Mr and Mrs McCann said:
‘Thank you to all our supporters for your help throughout the year and for remaining united with us in our longing and determination to find Madeleine.
‘Our search for Madeleine and the Metropolitan Police review of the case are progressing well.
Gerry and Kate McCann of Leicestershire lost their daughter Madeline, 4, in Praia de Luz, Portugal in May 2007 (pictured). They have fought to find her since
‘In addition, this December saw a landmark event for the protection of, and support for, missing children and their families left behind.
‘The Government’s Missing Children and Adults’ Strategy aims to reduce the number of people who go missing; to protect the missing whilst they are away, and to give families access to support, similar to victims of crime.’
A police handout of Madeleine from December 2007
They said the strategy followed 12 months of campaigning by individuals and organisations such as the charity Missing People.
‘Thank you to everyone who supported this campaign and influenced this significant development,’ their message added.
‘This Christmas, please keep Madeleine and all missing loved ones and their families in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you.
‘The support you give enables us to move into 2012 with renewed energy and continued hope.’
Last week, Spanish private detectives claimed they had handed Scotland Yard up to eight ‘very important leads’ in the search for Madeleine.
Sources said four Metropolitan Police officers held talks with Barcelona firm Metodo 3, which investigated her disappearance on behalf of the family.
Kate and Gerry McCann at the High Court in London last month. The pair thanked supporters and asked for continued ‘thoughts and prayers’
Investigator Francisco Marco Fernandez told Spanish TV officers had travelled to Spain to pick up around 30 boxes of documents.
A Scotland Yard spokesman refused to confirm the meeting took place and family spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: ‘Kate and Gerry will simply not be commenting whilst the Metropolitan Police review of Madeleine’s case is under way.
‘They remain pleased that the Met team is continuing its work and that progress is being made.’
The Metropolitan Police force has said there would be no limits in its re-examination of the search.
Madeline’s parents welcomed the Government’s new Missing Children and Adults’ Strategy and thanked those who campaigned for it
Police have travelled to Portugal three times in connection with the fresh review and a total of 30 people are now working on the force’s Operation Grange.
The review prompted criticism when it was launched in May, with politicians expressing concerns that it would divert resources from other crime victims.
It was sparked after a request from Home Secretary Theresa May supported by Prime Minister David Cameron.
Portuguese detectives, helped by officers from Leicestershire Police, carried out a massive investigation into Madeleine’s disappearance.
But the official inquiry was formally shelved in July 2008 and since then no police force has been actively looking for the missing child.
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I actually would also like people to spare a thought for Ben Needham’s family too.
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They’re in my thoughts. Feels more promising nowadays with different police forces on the case!
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i have followed this story since and Day 1 and think of Madeleine every day. In my heart i believe she is alive and continue to have hope she will return home safely soon. Miracles Do happen. Stay strong Kate and Gerry and of course Madeleine.
NEVER GIVE UP!!
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She has a very distinct marking to her right eye, on her iris, a small dark line. That will always single her out no matter how much her facial features alter. Let’s hope this eventualy leads to her safe recovery. Everyone keep looking.
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Why can’t people like Jim from the Wirral leave the comments at the sympathy and stop bleating on about the McAnns leaving the children alone. It serves no purpose whatsoever since they have confessed this and suffered more than enough because of it.” Let him that is without sin cast the first stone”
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Why can’t people like Jim from the Wirral leave the comments at the sympathy and stop bleating on about the McAnns leaving the children alone. It serves no purpose whatsoever since they have confessed this and suffered more than enough because of it.” Let him that is without sin cast the first stone”
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What a wonderful Xmas present that would be to find Madeline!
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God bless Madeline and keep her safe. My heart goes out the family. I hope and pray the new year brings good news.
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“I’m just waiting for the day when the headline reads “Found!”
– Hope, Lookeverywhere, 22/12/2011 04:36″———————————Please, may it be so…
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What can we do to help people in such dire pain! The only thing to do is PRAY. We cannot go searching, we can do nothing. You don’t believe in the power of prayer? Well, ask yourself, “what can I do?” The answer: you can do nothing except pray!
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