|
LONDON (Reuters) - Billionaire Richard Branson is to donate 100,000
pounds to create a fund to help the parents of missing girl Madeleine McCann pay
their legal bills, his spokeswoman said on Sunday.
The Virgin Group boss hopes other wealthy individuals will add to the fund as
Gerry and Kate McCann try to clear their names after Portuguese police named
them as formal suspects in the disappearance of their daughter.
Since their return to England last Sunday, the McCanns have faced intense media
speculation about their role in the case.
"In the midst of all of this speculation and rumour, we must remember there is a
family in pain and a little four-year-old girl is still missing," Branson said
in a statement. "We must not lose sight of this fact. It is the only solid fact
we know.
"The search for Madeleine must not let up for one moment."
The couple have denied any involvement in their daughter's disappearance. She
went missing while on holiday in southern Portugal on May 3. They are convinced
she is still alive.
Branson has closely followed the case and is keen to "relieve the burden" from
the McCanns, his spokeswoman said.
Well-wishers have already donated more than a million pounds to a fund to help
find the girl. However, the trust's directors decided last week that the money
should not be used to pay the couple's legal bills
|
