Gerry's complete blogs for November/December 2007 |
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November/December 2007 (Days 182-242) |
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Today marks six months since Madeleine was taken from us. It is
an incredibly long time for us but must be even longer for Madeleine. It is so painful for us simply being separated, but
all the more distressing when we have to speculate about the situation Madeleine finds herself. We have no idea whether she
is suffering but we have to hope and pray that she is being treated like a princess, as she deserves.
This afternoon
there will be prayer vigils in Liverpool, Praia da Luz and many friends will be praying in Glasgow. Tonight we will be attending
an ecumenical service to pray for Madeleine and other children who are suffering. There is again a lot of media presence in
Rothley and the upshot is that millions of people know Madeleine is still missing and that we will not give up looking for
her.
We urge anyone who may have information that might help us find Madeleine to call us on the confidential number
+34 902 300 213, which is manned by private detectives in Spain or e-mail investigation@findmadeleine.com, or contact the
police.
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The media attention in Rothley has died down considerably with the passing
of the six-month marker last weekend. The prayer service for Madeleine and other missing children was very well attended and
we found it calming, comforting and very positive. The four churches in Rothley contributed to the service as they will be
doing so again for remembrance Sunday and these events strengthen our sense of community.
No major developments to report
in the last week in the search for Madeleine. There has been a good response to the launch of the helpline to find Madeleine
and all the leads are being checked out and followed up where appropriate. Kate and I continue to encourage anyone who has
information to phone or e-mail.
It has been a busier week for me as I have returned to work, initially on a part-time
basis. The Trust have been very supportive throughout and it has been good, although difficult, to see so many friends and
colleagues again. I was certainly ready to get back although we have agreed to gradually phase my return to full-time commitments.
It is also been the first week since we returned from Portugal when we have not had friends or family staying with us. Kate
and I have therefore been opening all the mail ourselves and we would like to thank everyone who has offered their support
and encouragement.
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197
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No entry
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198
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No entry
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199
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No entry
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200
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No entry
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20 Nov 07
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201
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Yesterday marked 200 days that Madeleine has been missing. Last
night saw the screening on the BBC of one of three documentaries about what happened to Madeleine, the others having already
been shown in North America and Portugal over the weekend. These programmes have been useful in going over many of the facts
and, I believe, emphasising that Madeleine was abducted and is still out there somewhere. Whilst the police and private investigators
are following a number of leads, we would like appeal to anyone who was in and around Praia da Luz to come forward with any
information that might be relevant on +34 902 300 213 or investigation@findmadeleine.com
We have had a busy ten days with visitors from both Canada and the
USA. Whilst it has been really good to see them, it has also been emotionally very difficult for all of us without Madeleine.
They are leaving tomorrow and we hope and pray that the next time we get together we will finally be reunited with our lovely
Madeleine.
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202
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No entry
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203
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No entry
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204
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No entry
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205
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No entry
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206
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No entry
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207
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No entry
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208
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No entry
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209
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No entry
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210
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Today there was a meeting between the UK and Portuguese police and forensic specialists from
both countries. We have been told that all the forensic test results are now available. Kate and I are very hopeful now that
any doubt what these important tests show will be removed. As we have stated all along, we are confident that the results
will no way incriminate us and hopefully everyone can concentrate on finding Madeleine and her abductor.
Given some of the unhelpful comments recently about the media’s role in helping find
missing children I would like to quote Ernie Allen. Ernie has been president of the National Center for Missing and Exploited
Children for the last 25 years. ‘We just have to continue to do everything possible to find that one, key piece of evidence,
and then follow it to Madeleine. There is no more likely source of that information than some average, caring, alert citizen,
somewhere in the world, informed and motivated by a photo or intense media coverage of a missing child.’
With this in mind, Madeleine’s fund has started the £80,000 advertising campaign in Southern
Spain which will also target North Africa and Portugal. The fund is also contributing £50,000 per month to support the private
investigation. We appeal to anyone who may have information to call confidentially our hotline number +34.902.300.213, e-mail
investigation@findmadeleine.com or contact the police.
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211
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No entry
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Yesterday evening Kate, Sean, Amelie and myself attended a mass
for Madeleine. It was organised by ex-colleagues of Kate’s aunt who work in the East Midlands and took place in a small
intimate chapel and was attended by 20 people including two local priests. Sean and Amelie were very vocal, demonstrating
how much they know about Christmas and ‘baby Jesus’ which brought a smile to everyone’s face! The little
presents and chocolates they were given certainly made them very happy!
Tomorrow my mum and aunt are coming to visit
for a few days. Sean and Amelie are very excited, as they have not seen their ‘granny’ for over a month. They
do of course miss Madeleine very much and all of our family are still praying and hoping for her safe return.
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In the summer it was agreed that the UK police would interview all
British residents who were staying at the Ocean Club on May 3rd. There are a number of guests who have still not been interviewed.
We would ask any British residents who were in or around Praia da Luz (not just at the Ocean Club) when Madeleine was abducted,
and have not been interviewed, to contact their local police.
We would like to thank everyone who has come forward
with information. The smallest detail may provide a clue that leads us to find Madeleine. We would like to appeal again for
anyone with information to contact our private investigators on +34. 902.300.213, investigation@findmadeleine.com or their
local police. Someone, somewhere knows something and Madeleine needs his or her help.
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Note: This blog appeared today but was dated Day 218
- 07/12/07
We have had many enquiries as to our plans for the festive period.
Christmas 2007 will be an incredibly difficult time for us if Madeleine is not found before then. We plan to have a very quiet,
private Christmas with family in the UK. Celebrating is the last thing we feel like doing; however we want Christmas to be
as normal for Sean and Amelie as possible. They have already enjoyed decorating the Christmas tree with their ‘granny’
and great aunt. Despite not yet being 3, they both seem to understand they will be getting presents from Santa. They have
also asked if Santa will be bringing Madeleine home, which just about broke our hearts. Madeleine’s return would obviously
be the ultimate present for all of us and would bring tremendous joy to people all over the world.
As the end of the
year approaches we would like to thank everyone who has offered support over the last seven months and we ask you to stay
with us as the search for our daughter continues. The police and private investigations continue and we have not given up
hope of a breakthrough. We again appeal to anyone who may have any information that might be relevant to contact your local
police or our private investigators on +34. 902. 300 213 if they have any information which might be relevant.
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As most of you will know by now Kate and I did an appeal for broadcast
on TV yesterday. This was a desperate attempt to get someone who knows what happened to Madeleine to come forward and end
our misery and the dreadful situation for everyone. Madeleine should not be spending Christmas away from her loving family.
The person who took Madeleine has it in their power to end our suffering and will be able to appease their conscience that
they have done the right thing- especially at this time of year
As I have stated Christmas will be a very quiet affair
for our family without Madeleine present. Kate and I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time at this busy time
of year to write to us and let us know Madeleine and our family are still in their thoughts and prayers. We still have at
least one hundred cards to open! As always, every single one will be opened and read and the support expressed helps renew
our determination to find Madeleine.
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