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Balloons released for Madeleine | Balloons released for Madeleine |
(20 minutes later) | |
Balloons are being released all over the world, to mark the 50th day since Madeleine McCann went missing. | Balloons are being released all over the world, to mark the 50th day since Madeleine McCann went missing. |
Yellow balloons are being freed in 50 countries to raise awareness of the campaign to find the four-year-old. | Yellow balloons are being freed in 50 countries to raise awareness of the campaign to find the four-year-old. |
Parents Gerry and Kate McCann took part in an event on the beach at Praia De Luz in Portugal, the resort from which Madeleine went missing on 3 May. | Parents Gerry and Kate McCann took part in an event on the beach at Praia De Luz in Portugal, the resort from which Madeleine went missing on 3 May. |
The McCanns have also written an open letter thanking the British media for its support in the hunt for Madeleine. | The McCanns have also written an open letter thanking the British media for its support in the hunt for Madeleine. |
Similar balloon releases were planned by supporters in countries including Argentina, the US and Australia. | Similar balloon releases were planned by supporters in countries including Argentina, the US and Australia. |
In Dublin, 50 yellow and white balloons, displaying contact details for people with information to call, were released by local schoolchildren. | In Dublin, 50 yellow and white balloons, displaying contact details for people with information to call, were released by local schoolchildren. |
In Afghanistan, campaigners will fly 50 kites emblazoned with pictures of the missing girl, a report on the FindMadeleine website said. | In Afghanistan, campaigners will fly 50 kites emblazoned with pictures of the missing girl, a report on the FindMadeleine website said. |
And in California, 50 white doves will be released. | And in California, 50 white doves will be released. |
Schoolchildren in Glasgow, Scotland also released balloons In full: McCanns' letter | Schoolchildren in Glasgow, Scotland also released balloons In full: McCanns' letter |
A small ceremony has also been held at Glenfield Hospital, where Mr McCann works. | A small ceremony has also been held at Glenfield Hospital, where Mr McCann works. |
On behalf of his colleagues, the Reverend Maggie Sharp said a prayer for Madeleine. | On behalf of his colleagues, the Reverend Maggie Sharp said a prayer for Madeleine. |
"The abduction of Madeleine has hit us really hard, it's opened our hearts and minds to another kind of suffering and another kind of agony. | "The abduction of Madeleine has hit us really hard, it's opened our hearts and minds to another kind of suffering and another kind of agony. |
"We come together to say we are not going to forget, we are going to go on supporting." | "We come together to say we are not going to forget, we are going to go on supporting." |
A message from the McCanns on the website said: "The objective is simple - after seven weeks missing, we must continue to ensure she is not forgotten." | A message from the McCanns on the website said: "The objective is simple - after seven weeks missing, we must continue to ensure she is not forgotten." |
Madeleine's parents are also considering releasing a cover version of the Bryan Adams song Everything I Do, I Do It For You, in an effort to raise more money for their campaign. | Madeleine's parents are also considering releasing a cover version of the Bryan Adams song Everything I Do, I Do It For You, in an effort to raise more money for their campaign. |
Speaking to Sky News, Mr McCann said: "That song, at the minute, best reflects how Kate and I feel emotionally and how determined we are to continue searching for Madeleine." | Speaking to Sky News, Mr McCann said: "That song, at the minute, best reflects how Kate and I feel emotionally and how determined we are to continue searching for Madeleine." |
In their letter, the McCanns express their "deep gratitude" to British news organisations, and ask the media not to carry any more pictures of their twins, Sean and Amelie. | In their letter, the McCanns express their "deep gratitude" to British news organisations, and ask the media not to carry any more pictures of their twins, Sean and Amelie. |
The couple also say that the balloon release marks a new, "event-driven" phase of their campaign. | The couple also say that the balloon release marks a new, "event-driven" phase of their campaign. |
Sightings | Sightings |
Earlier, police in Malta said they are investigating possible sightings of Madeleine McCann. | Earlier, police in Malta said they are investigating possible sightings of Madeleine McCann. |
A number of UK tourists have reported seeing a child resembling the missing four-year-old in the island's capital, Valletta, and the resort of Sliema. | A number of UK tourists have reported seeing a child resembling the missing four-year-old in the island's capital, Valletta, and the resort of Sliema. |
The more I think about what I saw the more convinced I become that it may well have been Maddie Ray Roberts British tourist in Malta onClick="javascript:newsi.utils.av.launch({storyId:6230396, fileLoc: '/player/nol/newsid_6230000/newsid_6230300/', bbram: 1,nbram: 1,bbwm: 1,nbwm: 1});return false;" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/check/player/nol/newsid_6230000/newsid_6230300?redirect=6230396.stm&news=1&bbram=1&nbram=1&bbwm=1&nbwm=1">Ray Roberts interview | |
One said he saw a couple with a girl, who appeared to be wearing a black wig. | One said he saw a couple with a girl, who appeared to be wearing a black wig. |
A spokesman for Madeleine's parents, Gerry and Kate McCann, said they were not giving credence to the claims at this stage. | A spokesman for Madeleine's parents, Gerry and Kate McCann, said they were not giving credence to the claims at this stage. |
Maltese newspaper In-Nazzjon reported that two tourists told police they had seen a girl matching Madeleine's description in Valletta. | Maltese newspaper In-Nazzjon reported that two tourists told police they had seen a girl matching Madeleine's description in Valletta. |
And Ray Roberts, from Anglesey, north Wales, said he saw a child in Sliema wearing what looked like a black wig and being told "Get up, little girl" by a man of Arab appearance. | And Ray Roberts, from Anglesey, north Wales, said he saw a child in Sliema wearing what looked like a black wig and being told "Get up, little girl" by a man of Arab appearance. |
"The more I think about what I saw the more convinced I become that it may well have been Maddie," he said. | "The more I think about what I saw the more convinced I become that it may well have been Maddie," he said. |
The McCanns' spokeswoman said they were not focusing on the sightings until more information was available from an official source. | The McCanns' spokeswoman said they were not focusing on the sightings until more information was available from an official source. |