A
former Keighley paratrooper and his pal have started
their own personal search around the Portuguese
village where Madeleine McCann was abducted.
Colin Sahlke, 46, and
Steve Taylor, 32, are scouring rough ground and
abandoned buildings around Praia Da Luz hoping for a
breakthrough more than three weeks after the
four-year-old went missing.
Mr Sahlke and Mr
Taylor say they are not interested in rewards but
just want to help find Madeleine.
The pair say their
aim is to at least help restore the McCanns' "faith
in humanity".
Mr Sahlke has
given up his rented flat and has sold possessions to
raise £5,000 to fund their endeavour.
Since Sunday,
kitted out in full army surplus gear including
desert camouflage, with compasses, maps and
binoculars they have been searching areas close to
Praia Da Luz fanning out from the coastline to waste
ground inland.
Mr Sahlke, who has
two children, lost his 18-year-old daughter Debbie
six years ago in a car accident.
Mr Sahlke said: "A
few years ago I lost my daughter and if I could give
something back, if we even restore the McCanns'
faith in humanity, it is a start."
The pair have met
the McCanns in Praia Da Luz and explained what they
were doing.
Mr Taylor, who is
a father of five, said: "I can't imagine even an
inkling how they are feeling.
"We are here to
help find or put pressure on the people who know
where Madeleine is to either give her up or leave a
clue."
The former
infantryman met Mr Sahlke while the pair were
working at a shower factory in Nelson and both have
given up their jobs for the search.
The pair say they
are trying to search in places where no one else has
searched.
