'It feels wrong to be coping' – McCanns mark 1,000-day hunt for Madeleine

Published on Wednesday 27 January 2010 21:57

THE parents of Madeleine McCann have marked the 1,000th day since their daughter disappeared and said it was difficult to understand how they had managed to survive the ordeal.

• Kate and Gerry McCann poignantly recalled the first night they discovered their daughter was missing. Picture: PA

In the message posted on their website, Kate and Gerry McCann also said that at times they even felt "wrong" that they had coped.

"Today marks 1,000 days since Madeleine was taken from us," the couple said.

"It's hard to even say the number. We remember the first few days after Madeleine was taken, watching the clock and counting every hour. Now we've reached 1,000 days.

"It's difficult sometimes to understand how we've been able to keep going and survive without Madeleine, especially since nothing has changed since that terrifying first night. Madeleine is still missing."

The couple said they had managed to get through the disappearance of their daughter with the help of so many well-wishers, and that the continuing campaign to find Madeleine had helped keep them strong.

"Sometimes it even feels wrong to be coping. And yet if we weren't, there would be no search and no campaign to find Madeleine, and that just doesn't bear thinking about!" they wrote.

"We are very aware though that our ability to cope and keep going for Madeleine has been greatly augmented by the incredible support we have received from so many people and this should never be underestimated.

"We will always remember and be forever grateful for this help, support and kindness."

One thousand paper lanterns were due to be released into the sky in Leicestershire last night to mark the number of days since Madeleine went missing.

Simultaneous events were due to take place in Portugal – where she disappeared in 2007 – in her mother Kate's home city of Liverpool and in the United States.

The event was called "Look Up and Look Out for Madeleine", and the McCanns said that the lanterns symbolised the fact that they would never give up their search.

The couple also organised a fundraising event in London last night – "Still Missing, Still Missed; An Evening for Madeleine" – while remembering their daughter and other missing children throughout the world.

The McCanns said they were hoping to raise "a good amount of money" to further the search for Madeleine, but also to benefit charities Missing People and Missing Children Europe for the "fantastic but often unrecognised work" that they do on behalf of missing children in the UK and Europe.

Speaking of the release of the lanterns, they said: "It is a symbolic way for our family, friends and supporters to show that we have not forgotten Madeleine."

Madeleine was nearly four when she disappeared from her family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in southern Portugal on 3 May, 2007, while her parents dined with friends nearby.

About 180 guests were due to attend the McCanns' 150-a-head fundraising dinner, raffle and auction at Kensington Roof Gardens in west London last night.

It is understood those invited include Sir Richard Branson, Harry Potter author JK Rowling and the couple's millionaire backer Brian Kennedy.

The couple have also paid tribute to Simon Armitage, who has written a poem called The Beacon to mark the 1,000th day since Madeleine's disappearance.

They said:

"We think it is an incredible and really beautiful sonnet. It manages to convey so accurately and succinctly both our darker moments and the reality of hope and possibility, as well as including powerful and touching references to Madeleine. We hope it will be read by many."