http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/475201/Madeleine-s-birthday-is-so-hard-says-mother-Kate-McCann
‘Madeleine's birthday is so hard,’ says mother Kate McCann
KATE McCann has sent a heartfelt message to missing daughter Madeleine on the eve of her 11th birthday tomorrow, writes Tracey Kandohla.
STILL LOOKING: Madeleine's parents are not giving up on finding their now 11-year-old daughter[GETTY]
It reads: “We love you and we’re waiting for you and we’re never going to give up.”
Kate wants the world to know she still clings on to hope that Madeleine is found alive, despite British police being poised to dig up areas of the Portuguese resort where she vanished seven years ago.
A close friend of Kate and Gerry has revealed they have asked Scotland Yard to delay any ground searches in Praia da Luz until after they have “celebrated” the youngster’s special day, with a cake and presents at home in Rothley, Leicestershire.
Madeleine’s father Gerry said: “It is really hard. She won’t be here. It’s by far the toughest day of our year, every year. But we still have a birthday cake for her.”
Former GP Kate, 46, and heart doctor Gerry, 45, and their nine-year-old twins Sean and Amelie will also lay presents in Madeleine’s pretty pink bedroom which has become a shrine since she vanished nine days before her fourth birthday in May 2007.
Kate said: “The room’s absolutely the same but she might want to change it a bit now she’s a bit older!”
Kate’s uncle Brian Kennedy, 75, a retired teacher, who also lives in Rothley, said: “None of us expected to be in the same position, not knowing, seven years later.
"But we are grateful for all the support we’ve had from the public and our village, who along with us, never gives up hope.”
