An Open Letter To Madeleine McCann

Dear Madeleine

Just wanted you and your family to know I am thinking about you today. Can't believe it's been 9 years since your disappearance and we still don't know what happened to you. I hope you realise the efforts many good people have put into finding you, not least the Portuguese authorities, the UK authorities, the general public, and last  but by no means least, your parents. 

Now sadly that is where I will lose some people reading this letter Madeleine, because so many nasty people will now start shouting about your parents and the fact that they left you in the apartment. They will holler and shout about how it was their fault you were taken, all the while saying not a word about the abductor who took you from your room. I hate that you may see some of the terrible, dishonest things people have written about your parents and family, it would break your heart. Just a pity these people don't seem to realise how this will hurt your brother and sister in the future too. Not fair that they will have to suffer abuse, as well as your parents.

I'm sure you would be proud to know that your parents have  done everything in their power to find you ( another reason some people find fault with your mum and dad ) Mad eh?  Why would any parent with a missing child not do everything they could to find their child, only natural ? Apart from anything else it is your right to be found, to be considered a missing child and not a dead one, until proven otherwise. I'm sure you couldn't even comprehend that some would like your parents to forget about you, stop looking for you, and move on. I can't understand how anyone can think like that.  It's sad, heartless, and totally lacking in any humanity or compassion. Be assured Madeleine they will not forget you, and neither will many others who hold you in their heart.

Did you know that your parents have done lots to help others in the same position as you? This is their way I'm sure, of trying to show you they are sorry they left you, and they are sorry Madeleine, despite what trolls might say on the internet. They have often stood alongside parents of other missing children  to try to make improvements to the services for the missing, and to add their support.  Families like this tend to stick together and hold one another up as they are all in the same boat. Click the pictures and you will see what I mean.

So many things have changed since you went missing, but some things have been positive in improving things for the missing.  Most people of course wish you were found and back with your mum and dad, and anyone thinking anything else are not worth thinking about. Hope you know they fought hard to get the 116 000 Child Alert across Europe, and that we now have our own Child Rescue Alert here in the UK. Thankfully many have signed up and hopefully more will. Missing People along with the families of the missing, and several celebrities did a good job on that .

I don't think you would ever have imagined your mum and dad, along with their friends, running   marathons, or cycling long distances to help raise money for good causes. Well they have, and joined with other families to help make Missing People what it is today, and I make no apology for mentioning it. Hard to believe some people would rather attack them for this rather than support them. Thankfully these people are in the minority in society and the majority have come up trumps in supporting them.
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https://www.justgiving.com/katemccann/

https://www.justgiving.com/KateMcCann-Marathon

https://www.justgiving.com/Kate-McCann

https://www.justgiving.com/Gerry-McCann1

Could go on Madeleine but I think you get my drift. Safe to say your mum and dad are strong people and will not be cowed by the crueller elements of our society. A sad reflection of what we have become when the parents of missing children, (and your parents aren't the only ones), become a target for trolls and criminals.

Hope the trolls are not too annoyed about me posting pictures of your parents smiling Madeleine, that's not allowed in Troll World you know. Oh no, they have to live the rest of their lives without a smile on their faces. Can you imagine them expecting that from any other family in a similar position, I think not!

​Going to sign off now because I could go on forever. Suffice to say I hope with all my heart that you are somewhere safe and not being hurt. If not, then your memory will live on in the hearts of good people and you will not  have your voice stolen despite those who try. May you receive the justice you deserve.

             Much love now and always

                                            Poems courtesy of Deuce, a good Madeleine supporter of which there are many

​What More Can You Do To Help Madeleine And Other Missing Children?

• Learn the truth about the case by reading these books

1. Madeleine: Our daughter's disappearance and the continuing search for her
2. Looking for Madeleine

• Use the icons in the blog sidebar to find out more about the missing

• Keep up to date with information on Madeleine by following the  Official Find Madeleine Campaign on Facebook

• Follow Missing People who are a  lifeline when someone disappears, whether it is the family of the missing or the missing person themselves. 

• If you use other forms of Social Media such as Twitter look out for updates on Madeleine and other Missing People / children

• Have a website or know someone who has? Install simple code to your 404 error page and help find missing people. See HERE   Keep refreshing this page and see how it works Example 

• Remember 25th May is International Missing Children's Day.  Please do all you can to support this initiative.

• Take part in The Big Tweet For Missing People on 25th May 2013

• Join useful sites like Pinterest and look and share links for Madeleine and other missing children there. Make up some boards of your own with repins etc


• Wristbands, Car Stickers, Luggage Tags and Prayer Cards etc are also available from The Official FindMadeleine Website to help raise awareness and also available on other sites eg. Ben Needhams 

• Try to find out who is missing in your area by visiting your local police website or join up to their community alert schemes which can send messages to keep you updated about any relevant criminal or suspicious activity in your area. This is normally a free service.  Here is an example 

• Police also have Facebook and Twitter Accounts which can keep you up to date with missing people alerts