#Blogging4Madeleine

I remember when I first saw the news about the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.  As a mother it is hard to imagine anything more devastating happening to a family than the disappearance of a child.

Madeleine went missing from Praia De Luz, Portugal on Thursday the 3rd of May 2007.  It is hard to believe how long ago this was. Today is her 9th birthday.   

I'm sure a lot of people believe that after such a long period of time, she may never be found.  I don't see it that way. I have hope. I believe that actually there may be a higher likelihood of finding her than ever before.

Why do I believe this?  Madeleine at the age of 9, wherever she is in the world will most likely have access to a variety of media.  She may have access to a TV, a radio, a computer and newspapers.  By keeping her case in the media there is an increased chance that as she grows older she may stumble across the details of her own disappearance.  It has happened before. 

You may or may not be familiar with the case Carlina White in the USA who was kidnapped from hospital at just 19 days old. She had no memory of her real parents and was raised to believe she was the daughter of her kidnapper. As she grew older she began to suspect she was not the child of her so called mother. She began researching missing children and stumbled across details of her own case.  Carlina was eventually reunited with her parents after 23 years.  I truly believe this could happen in Madeleine's case too.

That is why it is so important to keep Madeleine's case in the public eye.  Wherever she is , regardless of the country or continent simply  keeping her image in the press increases the chances that someone may recognise her now, or that she may even recognise herself.  As individuals we can all  help. Simply emailing or sharing her picture and details of this campaign on social networking sites could make a huge difference. It takes only a few minutes.  So lets get this campaign off and running.  Lets get it trending on twitter, lets get it on the news and in the papers.  Below is all the information you will need to join in:

Below is the most current age progression image of Madeleine, it is a guide to how she may look now as a  9 year old.  Please share this image and the information given below with as many people as you can.  All the details you need to report any information or possible sighting of Madeleine is below.

If you see a young girl who looks like this, PLEASE CONTACT:

Your local police force immediately, AND

Operation Grange
0207 321 9251 (in the UK)
+44 207 321 9251 (non-UK)

or

Operation.Grange@met.pnn.police.uk

OR Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Thank you.

If you know where Madeleine is now or who was involved in her abduction, or if you were in Praia da Luz around the time of Madeleine’s abduction (3rd May 2007) and have not spoken to anyone in the police, please contact Operation Grange or Crimestoppers using the contact details above.

It's never too late to do the right thing!

If you would like to find out more about the campaign or other ways to help please visit the website for more details or check below for more ideas on what you can do to help the campaign. 

Additional ways to help:

• Are you a blogger? Why not write a post of your own, tag others to do the same, include #blogging4madeleine and  share your post with everyone you know. You can also share it at the Britmums link up too!

• The Find Madeleine website has lots of banners, posters and images that you can download and circulate.

• You could Carry a Madeleine ‘info card’ in your wallet/purse or a photo and the investigation helpline number in your mobile phone. This will allow you to have instant access to a photograph of her and the investigation contact number, if you see a little girl who resembles Madeleine.

• Donate to Madeleine’s Fund ‘Leaving No Stone Unturned‘ – This can be done via several routes including via the website.

Thank you for taking the time to read about Madeleine.  Please do what you can to help.

Happy Birthday Madeleine.  Thinking of you.

XXXX