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A family
is gearing up for a trip around Europe to remind people that Madeleine
McCann is still missing.
Simon
and Michelle Garratt, of Coalville, will be handing out leaflets and
posters during their journey, which will see them average 200 miles a
day and spend four weeks in a camper van.
Starting
in France, they are taking their four children, Jake, 10, Niamh, eight,
Freya, six, and Eden, three, on the trip.
Simon
revealed son Jake was the inspiration behind the idea.
He said:
"It's a mammoth task but we want to spread the word in the hope
Madeleine is still out there.
"My son
told me he wouldn't like to go missing and then be forgotten, and he
asked, 'why can't we do anything to help Madeleine?' which got me
thinking.
"We
decided do something a bit challenging and different, and if people
listen to us then we will have done a little bit."
The
determined family are planning to stop off at several holy places on the
way and will light candles for Madeleine, who disappeared from her
family's holiday flat in the Algarve in May, 2007.
During
their summer trip, they will be visiting France, Spain, Portugal, Italy,
Switzerland, Austria, Germany and Belgium.
Michelle
admitted she was both looking forward to and dreading nearly a month on
the road.
She
said: "I'm really looking forward to getting around Europe and spreading
the word. I'm not looking forward to the practical side of things ? like
entertaining the kids and the constant travelling.
"The
main aim is to go to pilgrimage places, but we might do a bit of
sightseeing while we're out ? the kids will certainly want to!"
Clarence
Mitchell, spokesman for the McCann family, from Rothley, said: "Kate and
Gerry are very pleased that this family are taking the time and effort
to help raise awareness of Madeleine's plight.
"It's
marvellous to do and the McCanns will no doubt want to thank them in due
course."
The
Garratt family are also looking to raise money for charity while
completing the trip, and have set themselves a ?5,000 target.
They are
splitting whatever they collect between the Teenage Cancer Trust and
Rainbows children's hospice.
Anyone
interested in sponsoring them can visit their fund-raising page:
www.justgiving.com/journeyforhopeeurope2011. |
