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Anorak News | Madeleine McCann: A European Tour, A Birdseye View And A Little Girl’s Nightmare

Madeleine McCann: A European Tour, A Birdseye View And A Little Girl’s Nightmare

by | 27th, June 2011

MADELEINE McCann is missing. But people are doing their bit to raise funds to help her parent’s, Kate and Gerry McCann, pay for private detectives and a media handler to look for her and keep her name in the news.

The Garratts Are Going On Tour:

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.

Says Michelle:

“I’m really looking forward to getting around Europe and spreading the word… 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!”

It’s not just Our Maddie:

They are splitting whatever they collect between the Teenage Cancer Trust and Rainbows children’s hospice.

You can donate here:

The Big Picture

DOZENS of people had a collective photograph taken as part of a fund-raising effort to help in the search for missing Madeleine McCann.Julie Hancock arranged for 60 people to strike a pose, which, when viewed from above, spelt out Madeleine’s name…

Julie, aged 39, from Bagnall, believes she saw the child when she was on holiday in Spain, two weeks after she disappeared and ever since has been fund-raising for the search fund.

Julie, mum to Matthew, aged 21, 17-year-old Lyrissa and Aiden, aged six, said: “The photograph was brilliant. We had people lying on the floor to cover the ground. We’re really chuffed with the picture.”

The picture, and similar aerial shots, will be compiled into a calendar for 2012 and sold. Other photos have been taken at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, in Norton, and the working men’s club in Baddeley Green.

Julie said: “We need to raise £650 to cover costs, but I’m confident we can do it.”

Laura Keay

A little girl has been so touched by the story of missing Madeleine McCann that she’s on a solo mission to help find her.

It began when Laura Keay, five, saw her mum reading the book, Madeleine, Kate McCann’s story of the family’s ordeal after her three-year-old daughter disappeared on holiday in Portugal in 2007.

Laura’s mum Caroline Dumville, 45, said: “She saw the picture of Madeleine on the front and asked me what it was all about so I explained. In the picture she’s a similar age to Laura so it really hit home. She was very upset. She immediately emptied her piggy-bank and asked me to send the money to help Madeleine”…

“I suggested she do a sponsored walk and try to find people to sponsor her,” added Caroline, who runs Primrose Cottage Nursery in Moss Nook. “It’s quite thoughtful for someone that age to be bothered. I suppose I relate too, because I have two young girls and if something like that happened it would be a nightmare”…

Styal Primary School pupil Laura said: “I want to help Madeleine.

“I want to find her. It’s very sad but if I help they will pay for more policemen, because they’re all giving up.”

And:

All the money which Laura raises will be sent to Madeleine’s Fund: Leaving No Stone Unturned, the only organisation still actively searching for the McCanns’ daughter.

Laura plans to write to Madeleine’s parents when she sends her sponsorship money.

To sponsor Laura call 07770 897678.

Such is the cause…

Spotter: Karen



Posted: 27th, June 2011 | In: Madeleine McCann Comments (2) | TrackBack | Permalink