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Madeleine McCann: Missing girl’s parents Kate and Gerry ‘have not lost hope’ Madeleine McCann: Missing girl’s parents Kate and Gerry ‘have not lost hope’
(2 days later)
Kate and Gerry McCann "have not lost hope" of finding their daughter, the couple said in a heartfelt Christmas message to supporters.Kate and Gerry McCann "have not lost hope" of finding their daughter, the couple said in a heartfelt Christmas message to supporters.
In a year where they were forced to shut the official Find Madeleine appeal's Twitter account because of persistent online abuse, the couple also thanked the public for their "amazing support".In a year where they were forced to shut the official Find Madeleine appeal's Twitter account because of persistent online abuse, the couple also thanked the public for their "amazing support".
They also welcomed the "progress" of the Metropolitan Police investigation Operation Grange to trace their daughter, saying it was "moving in the right direction" despite the inquiry being scaled back in 2015.They also welcomed the "progress" of the Metropolitan Police investigation Operation Grange to trace their daughter, saying it was "moving in the right direction" despite the inquiry being scaled back in 2015.
Three-year-old Madeleine McCann disappeared from the family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in Portugal in May 2007.Three-year-old Madeleine McCann disappeared from the family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in Portugal in May 2007.
In a statement posted to their website and the appeal's official Facebook page, the couple said: "Merry Christmas to all our supporters.In a statement posted to their website and the appeal's official Facebook page, the couple said: "Merry Christmas to all our supporters.
"Your compassion and help has once again spurred us on through another year and never fails to astound us."Your compassion and help has once again spurred us on through another year and never fails to astound us.
"We really appreciate how lucky we are to have such amazing support behind us. Thank you.""We really appreciate how lucky we are to have such amazing support behind us. Thank you."
The couple, whose daughter would have turned 12 this year, added: "It is our ninth Christmas without Madeleine. As always, she is very much on our mind and in our hearts and Christmas preparations.The couple, whose daughter would have turned 12 this year, added: "It is our ninth Christmas without Madeleine. As always, she is very much on our mind and in our hearts and Christmas preparations.
"We have not lost hope that we may get to celebrate another Christmas with her."We have not lost hope that we may get to celebrate another Christmas with her.
"If anything can drive us on, that most definitely will.""If anything can drive us on, that most definitely will."
Since 2011, the Met have been assisting in the search for clues as to what happened to the youngster with officers last year visiting the Portuguese holiday resort.Since 2011, the Met have been assisting in the search for clues as to what happened to the youngster with officers last year visiting the Portuguese holiday resort.
The couple had previously praised the "meticulous and painstaking work" of detectives, and have again offered thanks to the police.The couple had previously praised the "meticulous and painstaking work" of detectives, and have again offered thanks to the police.
However, this year the number of officers working on the case was reduced.However, this year the number of officers working on the case was reduced.
The Home Office said in June that the investigation had cost £10 million, with a further £2 million budgeted for the year ahead.The Home Office said in June that the investigation had cost £10 million, with a further £2 million budgeted for the year ahead.
The McCanns added: "Thankfully, the police investigation has made progress over the year.The McCanns added: "Thankfully, the police investigation has made progress over the year.
"Whilst it is never as much or as speedy as we, or the police would like, we are moving in the right direction and that's the positive."Whilst it is never as much or as speedy as we, or the police would like, we are moving in the right direction and that's the positive.
"Patience and perseverance are virtues which we've acquired in abundance over recent years - another positive.""Patience and perseverance are virtues which we've acquired in abundance over recent years - another positive."
One of the last photos of Madeleine before her disappearance
EPA
Madeleine McCann was three when she was abducted during a family holiday in 2007
A computer generated image of the distinctive burgundy long sleeve top worn by a man that detectives investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann are looking for
An aerial view of the Ocean Club apartments and pool where Madeleine McCann went missing
Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
Kate McCann speaks to the press outside the court house in Lisbon on 12 September 2013 following the first audience of the McCann couple's libel proceedings against former inspector Goncalo Amaral for a book written about the case of their missing daughter
Kate McCann and Gerry McCann before the start of the 'Miles for Missing People' charity run in Regent's Park in London, 2011
Kate and Gerry McCann make an appeal at a press conference in the holiday resort of Praia da Luz, Portugal 7 May 2007
The McCann's give an interview with a Spanish television channel at their home in Rothley
Madeleine McCann was abducted in Portugal in May 2007
AP
Preliminary forensic analysis on samples recovered from the McCanns' hire car raised the possibility of a match with Madeleine's DNA profile, according to the leaked report
Getty Images
Pope Benedict XVI blesses a photo of four-year-old abducted British girl Madeleine McCann, while meeting her parents Gerry and Kate McCann, after his weekly general audience at the Vatican, 2007
Reuters
Gerald McCann and Kate McCann speak to the press on 4 May 2007 at the Ocean club appartement hotel in Praia de Luz in Lagos after Madeline vanished while her parents were out to dinner
Dozens of Portuguese police aided by dogs search for missing three-year old British girl Madelaine McCann in front of the Ocean club appartment hotel in Praia de Luz in Lagos
Gerald McCann and Kate McCann walk holding their two other children outside the Ocean club apartment hotel in Praia de Luz in May 2007
Madeleine McCann pictured at the age of three, left, and as she might have looked aged nine
PA/Teri Blythe
The parents of missing Madeleine McCann have described as "pure speculation" reports in the Portuguese press suggesting that a chief suspect in the disappearance of their daughter was killed in a tractor accident four years ago.
PA
Three year old Cally prepares to add a yellow ribbon to a floral tribute for missing Madeleine McCann in Rothley in Leicesteshire, 2007
Everton captain Lee Carsley (L) leads his team onto the field, followed Mikel Arteta (C) and Manuel Fernandes (R) wearing Tshirts bearing a message of support for the missing British toddler Madeleine McCann, prior to the English Premiership match between Chelsea and Everton, at Stamford Bridge in London, 2007
A poster appealing for information about Madeleine McCann at a Spanish railway station
PA
Former porn star Mark Sloan (L) was cast in the BBC's Crimewatch reconstruction of Madeleine McCann's disappearance
BBC
McCann family spokesman Clarence Mitchell holds two artist's impression of the new suspect on 20 January 2008 in London. The description has come from British woman Gail Cooper, who was staying with her family close to the McCann's apartment in Portugal
Clarence Mitchell, the press spokesman for the McCann family, releases a photofit image of a woman sought in the search for missing Madeleine McCann
Getty Images
Police released two e-fits of suspect in disappearance of Madeleine McCann
Getty Images
Convicted paedophile Raymond Hewlett, who is being sought in connection with the disappearance of Madeleine McCann
PA
An artist's impression of a suspicious man seen by a witness apparently watching the McCann family's apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, the day before Madeleine McCann went missing
Channel 4
Kate, who is ambassador for charity Missing People, also paid separate tribute to the "full and successful year" of that organisation's work.Kate, who is ambassador for charity Missing People, also paid separate tribute to the "full and successful year" of that organisation's work.
In a personal message to their supporters, the couple thanked people for their Christmas cards, saying it gave them hope that their daughter was still very much in the public's thoughts.In a personal message to their supporters, the couple thanked people for their Christmas cards, saying it gave them hope that their daughter was still very much in the public's thoughts.
They said: "Thank you also for all the lovely Christmas cards we've received.They said: "Thank you also for all the lovely Christmas cards we've received.
"It gives us a lot of pleasure and comfort to sit down together and share your kind messages, with the reassurance that Madeleine has not been forgotten.""It gives us a lot of pleasure and comfort to sit down together and share your kind messages, with the reassurance that Madeleine has not been forgotten."
The couple concluded their season's greetings saying: "And so a new year approaches....new energy, new opportunities, new hope.The couple concluded their season's greetings saying: "And so a new year approaches....new energy, new opportunities, new hope.
"Wishing you all a very happy, healthy and peaceful 2016 - Kate & Gerry.""Wishing you all a very happy, healthy and peaceful 2016 - Kate & Gerry."
In October, the couple announced they were closing the appeal's Twitter account because of "toxic" comments directed at them, accusing their critics of trying to "damage the search for Madeleine".In October, the couple announced they were closing the appeal's Twitter account because of "toxic" comments directed at them, accusing their critics of trying to "damage the search for Madeleine".
Press AssociationPress Association