Mamma Kerr

It is two and a half years since little Madeleine McCann disappeared from her Praia da Luz apartment, while on holiday with her family in Portugal’s Algarve region.

I vividly remember the news breaking of four year old Madeleine’s disappearance.  Like most people, I was mortified that such a thing could happen.  As a parent of twin girls who were just a year younger than Madeleine at the time, I empathised with her parent’s distress.

Little over a month later, I went to Spain on holiday with Hubby, the girls and my in-laws.  Little Maddie was on my mind, as I’m sure was true of every parent flying out on holiday with their children.  I think everyone was extra vigilant on holiday with their children that year!

However, I remember that towards the end of our holiday (in fact it may have been our last night), I witnessed a display of panic, which must have gone some way in demonstrating how the McCann’s would have reacted on realising Madeleine was missing.  We were sitting on the terrace outside our hotel, waiting for the entertainment to start, when we were startled by a distressed man leaping over tables and shouting a girl’s name.  We then noticed a tearful woman wandering around at the side where the man had come from, just as a tannoy announcement was made, asking everyone to look out for a little girl, who had gone missing.  There was a collective intake of breath as everyone realised what was going on.  Thankfully, the girl was found safe and well within minutes, and everyone cheered and clapped.  I must say, I openly wept, as I watched the mother being reunited with her child.  It was very emotional.

I cannot even begin to imagine the nightmare that Gerry and Kate McCann have been going through in the past two and a half years, not knowing what has happened to their daughter.  You wouldn’t wish their pain on your worst enemy!

This week the McCann’s have released a new campaign video, showing images of Madeleine as she might look now at six years old.  It is hoped that this video, like the previous Maddie campaign videos, will spread virally throughout the World via the Internet to renew interest in the case and to hopefully uncover new leads.

I pray that it is a success.

You can view the video and read more about the campaign on the BBC website here, or at the McCann’s official campaign website here.