Things are getting desperate right now for Madeline McCann & now there is a fantastic reward for information about her whereabouts.
We all pray for her safe return.
An article in the Observer:-
Link & Article below:-
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_ne...ticle_continue
Prayers for lost girl as reward hits £2.6m
Jamie Doward, Amelia Hill and Ned Temko in Praia da Luz
Sunday May 13, 2007
The Guardian
A multi-million pound reward for information leading to the safe return of Madeleine McCann, the British girl who went missing in Portugal 10 days ago, was offered yesterday by a group of leading business figures as her parents spoke of the devastation wreaked by her abduction.
The entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson, the impresario Bill Kenwright and retail tycoon Sir Philip Green were revealed as backers of a £1.5m reward announced by the News of the World newspaper. It means the total reward now on offer stands at a record £2.6m after a businessman and a family friend pledged a total of £1.1m last week.
Article continues
As friends, family and supporters in Britain and Portugal yesterday sported yellow ribbons to show solidarity with the McCanns, Madeleine's father, Gerry, told villagers at a special mass that he and his wife, Kate, should have been celebrating the fourth birthday of their daughter. 'Instead we have had to remember what a normal, beautiful, vivacious, funny, courageous and loving little girl we are missing today,' he said and described the effect of Madeline's abduction on the family as being 'like a tidal wave.'
He said the devastation had been felt almost as powerfully by friends, family and those they had met following Madeleine's abduction. 'The devastation affects everyone we meet here in the resort and has affected this community,' said McCann. from Rothley, Leicestershire. 'The tidal wave did not stop here - it has travelled many miles across Europe, across the sea to Glasgow, Liverpool, Leicester, Ireland, America, Canada, New Zealand and continental Europe, where we have many friends and family.'
He said that he and his wife had been touched by how those around them were remaining strong. 'They have taken our strength and they are taking action. These actions are to make Madeleine's disappearance more public in the hope that we will get her back sooner as a result. This also has given us great strength that we are doing everything in our power to help get Madeleine back.' He ended with the worlds 'thank you', prompting spontaneous applause from the congregation.
Gerry McCann smiled, and even laughed, for the first time in several days, as villagers lined up holding flowers and presents for Madeleine. His wife, who in recent days has appeared increasingly drawn, also smiled as scores of villagers lined up to kiss her on each cheek. Every member of the congregation wore a length of yellow string tied around their wrists by children as they entered.
The gesture echoed events earlier in the day both in Britain and Portugal where people tied yellow ribbons around railings or wore them on their lapels expressing their hope that Madeleine will return. Chancellor Gordon Brown was among those photographed wearing a yellow ribbon.
In Britain, there were vigils and gatherings for family, friends and members of the public. At a football match between Celtic and Aberdeen, thousands held up pictures of the little girl while players wore yellow bands.
Today thousands of Portuguese people will mark the 90th anniversary of the 'miracle of Fatima' - when three young children in a small town in the largely Catholic country reported seeing a vision of the Virgin Mary. As pilgrims made their way towards Fatima, another show of support for Madeleine and her parents came from the Portuguese national football coach, Luiz Felipe Scolari. 'We must believe in Our Lady of Fatima,' he was quoted as saying in a Portuguese newspaper. 'As we commemorate the apparition, let us hope for yet another miracle.'
The McCanns had planned a birthday party at their home yesterday with a cake themed on Doctor Who, Madeleine's favourite television programme. Instead the couple remained in Portugal. With the party on hold, they sent a poignant message to their daughter that read simply: 'We'll see you soon.'
Experts yesterday said the huge sums now being off ered as a reward for information could yield a positive outcome. 'Rewards do work,' said David Hill, a former kidnap expert with the National Crime Squad who now runs a personal security firm, Red24. But he warned it may pose new problems. 'A reward of this magnitude will bring in information from people who know nothing about the abduction but think they will get money,' Hill said. 'It could stimulate similar types of crime. Somebody could abduct a child, get somebody to give the information, and then split the reward.'
Donald Findlater, deputy director of the Lucy Faithfull foundation, which promotes child protection, said the reward would provide 'tremendous support for the family'.
nodisharmony
