Missing Madeleine McCann’s parents Kate and Gerry have been spotted at a prayer vigil for the their daughter 18 years after she disappeared while on holiday in Portugal
The parents of Madeleine McCann joined a prayer vigil on Saturday night to mark the poignant 18th anniversary of their daughter’s disappearance – despite claims they are being stalked.
Defiant Kate and Gerry were warmly welcomed by supporters and well-wishers for the informal outdoor gathering in their home village of Rothley, Leicestershire. It is the first time in two years that the couple have been seen at the annual event with new photos emerging of them. Joining them was son Sean, now aged, 20, and pictured for the first time as an adult.
His twin sister Amelie, who had turned up to informal service two years ago, was not present. There was no sign of a police presence that had been anticipated for the family for protection.
At times the couple looked pained as prayers were said for Maddie, who vanished during a family holiday to Praia da Luz, Portugal, in May 2007. Renowned heart doctor Gerry, 56, and former GP turned medical worker Kate, 57, cling onto a glimmer of hope that their daughter, who would now be aged 21, nearly 22, could still be alive.
Kate, with shoulder length blonde hair, and wearing blue jeans, matching jacket and a patterned white and orange top, read a poem to the 50-strong crowd. Softly-spoken Kate, reciting the words of Helen Steiner Rice, said: “If I can endure for this minute whatever is happening to me, no matter how heavy my heart is or how dark the moment may be.”
Gerry chose not to address supporters at the war memorial at Cross Green where a candle lit was lit in Madeleine’s memory. Kate’s uncle Brian Kennedy, a retired school head teacher thanked people for giving to part of their evening to support the family and hoping they ‘thought it was worth it.
Simon Payne, vicar of Rothley Baptist Church, said: “We are here this evening to show our loving concern for Madeleine and all young children who have been taken away from their families against their will. We gather to pray for Madeleine, to encourage one another and especially Gerry and Kate to keep up our hope and pray for a renewal of strength even after 18 years.”
Supporters also read out mantras including “Never give up”, “don’t forget about me” and “still missing, still missed”. After the half hour vigil Kate was seen warmly hugging her uncle Brian and his wife Janet, who had also addressed the crowd. Kate and Gerry had shunned the event last year, on advice from officers, as one of their suspected stalkers Polish Julia Wandel had bizarrely turned up after accusations she had approached their house the previous night.
In a new heartfelt tribute on social media the couple wrote: “No matter how near or far she is, she continues to be right here with us, every day. We miss her.” They told how they continued to “celebrate” her as “the very beautiful and unique person she is”.
They vowed they would “leave no stone unturned” in their “unwavering determination” to discover Maddie’s fate. Kate and Gerry also thanked their ‘faithful supporters once again for standing by us and never forgetting about Madeleine’ and said they continued to remember all missing children and their families.
They posted in the Find Madeleine Campaign page: ‘The years appear to be passing even more quickly and whilst we have no significant news to share, our determination to ‘leave no stone unturned’ is unwavering. We will do our utmost to achieve this.’
Maddie’s disappearance remains one of the world’s biggest ever missing person inquiries. Her abductor has, so far, evaded justice. German police are convinced that Madeleine is dead and have been intent on charging prime suspect convicted rapist Christian Brueckner – sensationally named nearly five years ago – with her kidnap and ‘no body’ murder. Scotland Yard are still treating her case as a missing persons inquiry.
They have been granted new funding by the Home Office of £108,000 for this financial year, bringing the total spent on their 14-year inquiry Operation Grange to more than £13.2 million. Kate and Gerry and their twins are alleged victims of two women stalkers, who have both been charged and are set to go on trial in October.
A court heard last month that the claims had had a ‘substantial adverse effect’ on the family’s day-to-day activities and had caused them ‘alarm and distress.’ The four members are due to give evidence in person against Wandel and her co-accused Karen Spragg at Leicester Crown Court.
Wandel, 23 – also known as Wandelt and who claims she is Madeleine – has pleaded not guilty to four counts of stalking the family.