Madeleine McCann’s parents say Cleo Smith’s story ‘gives them hope’

Madeleine McCann’s parents have reportedly revealed that the discovery of Cleo Smith has given them renewed hope that their missing daughter could still be found.

The parents of Madeleine McCann’s say they have been “given hope” after Cleo Smith was found alive earlier this week after going missing for 18 days.

The four-year-old was found “alive and well” after disappearing from her family’s tent on a camping ground in Carnarvon, Western Australia.

Cleo’s disappearance gripped the nation and triggered a massive search which led to police recovering the child in a locked house a short drive from the family’s home.

Cleo Smith has been reunited with her family after being missing for 18 days. Picture: WA Police

In the UK, Cleo’s case has been described as “Australia’s Maddie” due to similarities to the then three-year-old’s disappearance in 2007 while holidaying in Portugal with her family.

Kate and Gerry McCann, both 53, have reportedly been following the case of the missing four-year-old which had similarities to their own daughter’s disappearance, according to a report in The Sun.

Her discovery has given the McCanns newfound hope that their daughter could still be alive after she went missing more than 14 years ago.

Three-year-old Maddie was taken from her bed on May 3, 2007, while on holiday with her parents and family friends at a resort in Praia da Luz, Portugal.

Her parents were dining with friends nearby.

Madeleine McCann went missing in 2007. Picture: AFP

British police have requested new funding to carry on the A$23 million global search for her which is set to be approved by the British Home Office.

A source close to the family told The Sun that the couple were “willing” for Cleo to be found alive.

“Kate and Gerry knew about the case which has had a lot of publicity here and like many people were willing the child to be found safe and well,” the source told the outlet.

“It’s the news every parent of a missing child hopes and prays for no matter how long it has been. They are thankful that she had been found, and share her parents’ joy and relief at the outcome.”

Kate and Gerry McCann have reportedly followed the Cleo Smith case. Picture: AFP

Terence Darrell Kelly, 36, was arrested in the early hours of Wednesday morning, after Cleo was allegedly found locked in an empty house.

Mr Kelly was questioned by detectives for several hours and was later charged, including one count of forcibly taking a child under 16.

During an appearance in Carnarvon Magistrate’s Court yesterday, the Magistrate described Mr Kelly’s case as “notorious”.

Dressed in a black T-shirt, he appeared stern when he sat in the dock, manned by two police officers.

There was no request for bail.

Cleo’s mother, Ellie Smith wrote on Instagram: “Our family is whole again,” after her daughter was found.

– with The Sun