Click LiverpoolMissing Maddy - anonymous hotline openedby Chris Johnson.
Published Tue 28 Apr 2009 15:53, Last updated: 2009-04-29
The parents of missing Madeleine McCann have told how they take hope from the cases of children who have been held prisoner for years before being found.
Kate and Gerry McCann say the ordeals suffered by Elizabeth Smart, Shawn Hornbeck and Natascha Kampusch show that youngsters can survive after they go "off radar".
And the couple have launched a new push to trace her through internet social networkorking sites like Facebook.
Alongside that campaign they have also opened a new hotline and web portal for anonymous tip-offs from people who may have information about who took Maddy.
The move comes after a poster campaign was launched in the Praia da Luz area of Portugal where she vanished.
And to co-incide the the second anniversary of her disappearance a Portuguese language version of the "Find Madeleine" web site has been posted created.
Heart specialist Gerry, and his wife Kate say the hunt for Maddy is re-focusing on Portugal because residents "have never been properly asked about information they may have to give".
Dr McCann, 40, and his Liverpool-born husband Kate, 41, are to appear on the Oprah Winfrey show appealing for information on their daughter whose 6th birthday is next month.
A fund to aid the hunt for Maddy raised more than #1.5m but despite extensive enquires and many alleged sightings she is still missing.
In a news statement on their web site the McCanns, of live in Rothley, Leices say: "As the second anniversary of Madeleine's abduction approaches, there is much still to be done.
"We continue to remain focussed on our aim - to find Madeleine and bring her back home safely. As Madeleine's parents we cannot and will not ever stop doing all we can to find her.
"The search for Madeleine continues with the same strength and determination, and thankfully, there are many people who are continuing to help in a variety of ways.
"The reduction in media reporting does not signify a lack of effort - far from it! If anything, the search for Madeleine goes on with renewed vigour and great experience.
"We have quietly and persistently been working very hard - exploring all possible avenues in order to get that key piece of information. Someone somewhere knows where Madeleine is.
"It is impossible for us to ignore the day to day heartache of missing Madeleine but there is however, a very important and positive fact that remains - in spite of all the investigative work done, there is still absolutely nothing to suggest harm to Madeleine.and therefore, a very real likelihood that Madeleine is alive and well.
"You only have to recall the cases of Elizabeth Smart, Shawn Hornbeck and Natascha Kampusch to appreciate that children can seem to disappear 'off the radar' for very long periods of time.
"The return of these children to their families not only gives us great hope but also starkly emphasises that perseverance is essential, and surely what every such child deserves.
"It is vital that we never, ever give up on Madeleine.
"Can you imagine a little girl or boy out there, hoping and waiting to be found but for people then to 'write them off', forget about them, just because there's been no 'news'? For that child never to be reunited with their family because everyone had given up on them? Just imagine.........
"And so, we will never, ever give up.
"We urge you to remember Madeleine as a real, living and findable little girl.
"Our most sincere thanks go to everyone who is helping us in our efforts. You know why we must keep going.
"Please don't give up on Madeleine."
The Finde Madeleine website is at:
http://www.findmadeleine.com/* Elizabeth Smart was abducted from her Salt Lake City, Utah on June 5, 2002 at the age of 14. She was found alive nine months later on in March 2003 about 18 miles from her home,
* Shawn Hornbeck was missing for more than four years before being discovered in Kirkwood, Missouri, on in January 2007 by police searching another missing boy.
* Natascha Kampusch was held in a secret cellar by her kidnapper Wolfgang Priklopil for more than eight years, until she escaped on 23 August 2006.
