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McCanns 'will not give up' search McCanns 'will not give up' search
(about 1 hour later)
The parents of missing girl Madeleine McCann have made fresh appeals for information in the run up to the first anniversary of her disappearance.The parents of missing girl Madeleine McCann have made fresh appeals for information in the run up to the first anniversary of her disappearance.
Gerry McCann said they had always hoped they "would not get to this stage".Gerry McCann said they had always hoped they "would not get to this stage".
His wife said the key message was that Madeleine was still missing, she had been the victim of a "horrific crime" and the perpetrator was "out there".His wife said the key message was that Madeleine was still missing, she had been the victim of a "horrific crime" and the perpetrator was "out there".
They told the BBC they kept hope alive because Madeleine was "so important" to them that they would never give up.They told the BBC they kept hope alive because Madeleine was "so important" to them that they would never give up.
"We need that key bit of information... then this could all be over," said Kate McCann."We need that key bit of information... then this could all be over," said Kate McCann.
Madeleine, of Rothley, Leicestershire, disappeared shortly before her fourth birthday in Praia da Luz, Portugal, on 3 May last year. Her parents were eating with friends in a nearby tapas restaurant.Madeleine, of Rothley, Leicestershire, disappeared shortly before her fourth birthday in Praia da Luz, Portugal, on 3 May last year. Her parents were eating with friends in a nearby tapas restaurant.
The McCanns still have arguido - or suspect - status in Portugal but deny any wrongdoing.The McCanns still have arguido - or suspect - status in Portugal but deny any wrongdoing.
We are not characters in a soap opera or a fiction - this is about a real child and real family who have been traumatised Gerry McCannWe are not characters in a soap opera or a fiction - this is about a real child and real family who have been traumatised Gerry McCann
In an interview with the BBC's Huw Edwards the couple said they had researched abduction cases in the US, and found hope in stories of missing children being found.In an interview with the BBC's Huw Edwards the couple said they had researched abduction cases in the US, and found hope in stories of missing children being found.
Reeling off names of children recovered after long periods of abduction, Gerry McCann said the evidence suggested that the younger a child was when they were taken the lower the chance they had suffered serious harm.Reeling off names of children recovered after long periods of abduction, Gerry McCann said the evidence suggested that the younger a child was when they were taken the lower the chance they had suffered serious harm.
As long as there was no evidence of harm being done to Madeleine, they would not give up, he said.As long as there was no evidence of harm being done to Madeleine, they would not give up, he said.
"And what a disservice it would be to Madeleine to assume otherwise, without any evidence," said Mrs McCann."And what a disservice it would be to Madeleine to assume otherwise, without any evidence," said Mrs McCann.
"She's still out there and we're asking for help to find her," added Gerry McCann."She's still out there and we're asking for help to find her," added Gerry McCann.
Information 'missed?'Information 'missed?'
The couple, whose campaign was the subject of a two-hour ITV documentary on Wednesday night, said they were convinced someone had details that could "unlock" the mystery of Madeleine's disappearance.The couple, whose campaign was the subject of a two-hour ITV documentary on Wednesday night, said they were convinced someone had details that could "unlock" the mystery of Madeleine's disappearance.
They have launched a new hotline number for information - 0845 8384699 - which can be called from within the UK or outside the country.They have launched a new hotline number for information - 0845 8384699 - which can be called from within the UK or outside the country.
"We will guarantee anonymity for anyone who wants it," said Mr McCann."We will guarantee anonymity for anyone who wants it," said Mr McCann.
CAMPAIGN HOTLINE From UK: 0845 8384699From outside UK: 00 44 845 8384699CAMPAIGN HOTLINE From UK: 0845 8384699From outside UK: 00 44 845 8384699
Mrs McCann said even if people had come forward previously with information, they should make another approach.Mrs McCann said even if people had come forward previously with information, they should make another approach.
She said there had been such a volume of information at the beginning that things could have been missed or not "slotted into place" at the time.She said there had been such a volume of information at the beginning that things could have been missed or not "slotted into place" at the time.
The couple said they had had no direct contact with police in Portugal, and were not aware of what was being done to find their daughter.The couple said they had had no direct contact with police in Portugal, and were not aware of what was being done to find their daughter.
They said they wanted more information but added that the situation was not unusual in the Portuguese system.They said they wanted more information but added that the situation was not unusual in the Portuguese system.
The McCanns said that they realised there would be less intensive media coverage of the campaign after the first year had passed, and would only be appearing in the press if they felt they had something new to say.The McCanns said that they realised there would be less intensive media coverage of the campaign after the first year had passed, and would only be appearing in the press if they felt they had something new to say.
The McCanns are campaigning for an EU-wide missing child alert system The McCanns said they saw hope in stories of other children being found
The ITV documentary revealed the extent of hate mail the family had received, showing one message calling the pair "scum".The ITV documentary revealed the extent of hate mail the family had received, showing one message calling the pair "scum".
But the couple told the BBC they did not want to expend too much energy and focus on talking about those who had sent them hate mail, because they were a minority among well-wishers.But the couple told the BBC they did not want to expend too much energy and focus on talking about those who had sent them hate mail, because they were a minority among well-wishers.
Mr McCann said they hoped the documentary would - among other things - help remind people they were real people.Mr McCann said they hoped the documentary would - among other things - help remind people they were real people.
"We are not characters in a soap opera or a fiction. This is about a real child and real family who have been traumatised by this.""We are not characters in a soap opera or a fiction. This is about a real child and real family who have been traumatised by this."
They said their twin children Sean and Amelie were "very happy" and enjoying as normal a life as possible.They said their twin children Sean and Amelie were "very happy" and enjoying as normal a life as possible.
They had taken professional advice about how to deal with the children's questions, which they were answering truthfully but on a basic level, they said.They had taken professional advice about how to deal with the children's questions, which they were answering truthfully but on a basic level, they said.
"They are still only three," said Mrs McCann. "They talk about Madeleine a lot, which is lovely. They just say 'Madeleine is missing' and we say 'yes, we're all looking for her'.""They are still only three," said Mrs McCann. "They talk about Madeleine a lot, which is lovely. They just say 'Madeleine is missing' and we say 'yes, we're all looking for her'."
DeclarationDeclaration
Meanwhile, the family is campaigning for an EU-wide quick response system to be introduced to help find abducted children.Meanwhile, the family is campaigning for an EU-wide quick response system to be introduced to help find abducted children.
So far, France and Greece are the only EU countries to have introduced full alert systems along the lines of the American Amber scheme which involves immediate broadcasts on radio and television about missing children and information about possible suspects.So far, France and Greece are the only EU countries to have introduced full alert systems along the lines of the American Amber scheme which involves immediate broadcasts on radio and television about missing children and information about possible suspects.
A European Parliament declaration demanding the alert system opened for signatures last week, but needs the names of at least half the 785 MEPs before it has formal status as a resolution.A European Parliament declaration demanding the alert system opened for signatures last week, but needs the names of at least half the 785 MEPs before it has formal status as a resolution.
To date the declaration has attracted 127 names, but needs at least 393 by the end of June.To date the declaration has attracted 127 names, but needs at least 393 by the end of June.