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HUNT: Kate and Gerry McCann are determined to
find Madeleine |
DEFIANT Kate and Gerry McCann will mark the 1,000th day since
their daughter disappeared with a celebrity packed ?150-a-head
fundraising dinner and auction at a top London venue.
Tycoon Sir Richard Branson and their businessman backer Brian
Kennedy will join stars at Kensington Roof Gardens in west London on
January 27.
Radio Five's Nicky Campbell and children's author JK Rowling have
also been invited.
The event for 180 supporters comes in the middle of the couple's
tense court battle against their tormentor, former police chief Goncalo
Amaral, in Lisbon and gives them a night of light relief after weeks of
stress.
Kate, 41, said yesterday: 'We will raise money for Madeleine's
Fund and the ongoing search for her.
'If our circumstances remain unchanged, this day will sadly mark
1,000 days since Madeleine was taken from us.'
Money will be raised through ticket sales and a charity auction.
Half the profits, expected to exceed '100,000, will go to Madeleine's
Fund, which currently stands at about '400,000, with the other half
split between two other charities.
Kate explained: 'Madeleine's Fund is not depleted but we are
aware, given the uncertainty of our situation, that we need to plan
ahead to continue the search to find her.'
Kate said: 'Fifty per cent of the profits from the event will be
split between two charities, Missing 'People and Missing Children
Europe.
'These two charities are among many others who work incredibly
hard despite limited funding to help missing and exploited children.'
A close friend of the McCanns, who live in Rothley,
Leicestershire, said: 'Kate and Gerry are hoping to raise as much money
as possible to help them and two other charities.
'The guests are people who have pledged their support to help
find Madeleine, including celebrities and wealthy business people.'
The friend added: 'The event doesn't indicate that the fund is in
'crisis but money does need to come in.' Madeleine vanished from her
parents' holiday flat in Praia da Luz, 'Portugal, in May 2007, just days
before her fourth birthday.
The Portugese police have shelved the case, leaving the McCanns
effectively on their own and needing a flow of cash to finance the hunt
for leads into their daughter's disappearance, though there is a certain
amount of support from Leicestershire Police. |
