Members of
the public could soon be able to make their own
financial contribution to the search for missing
Madeleine McCann, it has emerged.
The
special "fighting fund" is being set up with the help of
London
lawyers who have flown to
Portugal
to assist the four-year-old's parents Gerry and Kate
McCann.
A
statement from the International Family Law Group, the
firm instructed by the McCanns, said details of how
people could make donations would be released within
days.
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The McCanns held a press conference this
morning announcing their intention to stay
in Portugal until
their daughter is found |
More....
A QC,
Michael Nicholls, has also been instructed by the family
as their determined battle to find Madeleine enters
another week.
Madeleine's uncle John McCann, who lives in
Glasgow
but was in Praia Da Luz last week, said the lawyers
would play a liaison role and would not interfere with
the criminal investigation.
A
spokesman for the International Family Law Group said:
"Gerry and Kate are very grateful for all the support
and generous offers of help that they are receiving.
"Details of how contributions can be made to help get
Madeleine back to the safety of her own family will be
made available in the next couple of days."
The
couple have told friends they wanted to begin restoring
an element of normality to life as they remain in Portugal
waiting for a breakthrough.
Mr
McCann has spoken openly about how he is convinced his
daughter is still alive.
But
the past 10 days have seen them holed up inside an
apartment, just metres away from the building where the
four-year-old was abducted, co-ordinating efforts to
recover her.
Apart
from daily visits to church for masses and private
prayer, they have stayed within the same small area,
making regular appearances to plea for information which
could help get her back.
On
Saturday, which was Madeleine's birthday, they took time
out together with their two-year-old twins Sean and
Amelie for the first time at a private villa.
Scroll down for more ...
.jpg) |
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The photograph that clearly shows
Madeleine's right eye, where the
pupil blends in to the iris |
After
days looking increasingly drawn, they returned looking
relaxed and attended a special birthday service at the
local village church where Mr McCann delivered a
powerful personal address telling of his faith and hope
for the future.
"We
are looking forward to the day when Madeleine returns to
us as a joyous one," he told hundreds of villagers as
they were showered with gifts, hugs and kisses.
While
there is little information emerging about the
investigation, behind the scenes there has been
concentrated police activity.
Plain
clothes officers dressed in holiday gear have been
operating in the village.
Sources also said today that officers have been making
targeted searches on white vans as recently as Saturday,
taking them off to be examined by sniffer dogs.
The
confirmation followed reports that officers were
interested in the movements of a man seen loitering with
a white van outside the apartment where the McCanns had
been staying when Madeleine was snatched.
The
Sunday Times said that a new detailed portrait had been
compiled based on his description.
But
two high profile theories now appear to have been ruled
out.
Officers have been touring the area as recently as three
days ago showing people images centred around a blonde
foreign woman aged around 40.
They
have also been investigating a complaint by a Portuguese
man that a foreigner had been photographing his daughter
in the nearby town of
Sagres.
Scroll down for more ...
.jpg) |
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Everton supporters demand Madeleine's safe
return at their match against
Chelsea
at
Stamford Bridge yesterday. Photographs of
Madeleine in an
Everton shirt have been circulating the
internet |
"There
is no information to support those links," chief
inspector Olegario Sousa of the Policia Judiciaria (PJ)
said.
Around
10 British people, including the McCanns and their
friends, have been re-interviewed to clarify their
statements in recent days.
This
week the group are set to appear in court behind closed
doors to record their evidence for any future trial
before they go back to the UK.
The
procedure, known as "memory for the future", is similar
to a mock trial in which the friends would give evidence
as witnesses now against a future defendant.
Local
lawyer Artur Rego said the procedure was used only in
exceptional cases such as this where a large group of
witnesses are foreign.
"It is
recorded by video and kept sealed then released during
the hearing," he said.
"If
somebody is ever charged then this statement can then be
unsealed and disclosed for the judge who is going to
hear the case.
"It
has the same value as witness statements delivered live
in the trial."
But
the McCanns themselves are not expected to be asked to
take part.
Reports that a further British person interviewed on
Saturday was being treated as a suspect have been
dismissed.
Chief
Inspector Sousa said that police did not have any
specific suspects at present. Police have three general
"hypotheses" but have not elaborated.
Yesterday Madeleine's uncle John McCann had a meeting
with Glasgow
marketing bosses ahead of the Espanyol-Sevilla Uefa cup
clash being held in the city on Wednesday.
The
plan is to show Madeleine's picture on large screens in
the city where around 30,000 fans are expected to travel
from Portugal's
neighbour
Spain
for the match.
The
rugby world has also added its support to the campaign
to find the missing youngster.
Scotland
captain Jason White called on anybody with any
information to come forward.
"It's
impossible to imagine what Madeleine's parents, Kate and
Gerry must be going through right now and my heart goes
out to them," he said.
- Gretchen, Sacramento, USA, 14/5/2007 19:03
I really feel touched by this awful painful time little madelines parents are going through, I can not even contemplate the agony they are feeling, i hope and pray every day that madeline will be found safe and reunited where she should be with her parents and the rest of her family, PLEASE PLEASE anyone who has any information to contact police straight away, Let the little girl back to her family where she belongs.Will carry on praying every day.
- Ronnie, burnley lancashire, 14/5/2007 19:05
My heart and prayers go out to the McCann family and to their beloved little Madeleine. I pray for her to be soon safely reunited her with her family. God bless you all.
- Jenni, Port Elizabeth, South frica, 14/5/2007 22:18
My thoughts and prayers are with the McCann family at this heartbreaking time. I pray Madeleine will be reunited with her parents and little brother and sister very very soon, what a happy joyful reunion it will be. God Bless.
- Eileen Mayne, Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland, 14/5/2007 22:51
Its encouraging that something is finally happening. I pray that this brings Maddie home to the heart of her family, where she belongs. She is so beautiful, how could anyone ever consider taking her away. They need each other desparately.
I pray for her speedy, safe return.
- Alison, London, 15/5/2007 13:31
To those who have taken Madeleine - please, please let her go or let her family know what has happenned. You had no right to take this child, she does not belong to you. Make something good come from this terrible situation that her family have to live with. My thoughts and prayers are with the McCann family. I hope you hear something good very soon.
- Julie Quartermain, Oxford, UK, 17/5/2007 9:22
My husband and I send our heartfelt thoughts to Madeleines' family and of course to Maddy herself. May she be returned home, safe and unharmed very very soon. We understand that any child is precious but one that is created through IVF, and the experience that that brings is ever the more so. Please bring her home safely. In our thoughts always.
- Hannah, Bedfordshire, England, 17/5/2007 18:56