Kate McCann: ‘I’m convinced Maddie is still alive’

IT’S been nine years since Madeleine McCann disappeared from a resort in Portugal. Her mother, Kate, is still holding out hope.

The last photo taken of missing British girl Madeleine McCann at age 3, that was used in an online voucher to sell discounted holidays in Portugal, has branded an utter disgrace. Madeleine (3), was allegedly abducted from family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal in 05/2007.

KATE McCann yesterday said she is convinced whoever snatched Madeleine from the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz never took her far.

She said: “That’s where she last was and I don’t think she’s been taken a million miles from there. I’ve always said Praia da Luz is the place where I feel closest to her.”

In the nine years since three-year-old Madeleine was abducted from the family’s apartment on 3 May 2007 there have been thousands of “sightings” of her worldwide.

There have also been many theories that she was rushed out of Portugal to be sold to a childless couple. But Kate believes Madeleine probably never left the country.

She said she and husband Gerry have learned from their years of research that abducted children are generally not taken far.

Maddie McCann was abducted from a holiday resort in 2007, sparking worldwide attention.

She said: “It’s all only speculation, but we’ve learned that’s usually the case.”

Kate, 47, is spearheading a two-week drive to get a million people in the UK to register for free Child Rescue Alerts. The Royal Mail-funded scheme sends appeals to phones, computers and tablets when a child goes missing.

She believes if CRAs had been around in 2007 Madeleine may have been found safe and sound within hours.

Kate said: “It’s nearly nine years and that’s so ridiculous and so unbelievable. You think, ‘Gosh that could have been hours, or a day’.

“If enough people had been mobilised and galvanised early then who knows what the outcome would have been.”

Madeleine’s 13th birthday is in May. And Kate said in her mind’s eye she jumps from seeing her as she was when she vanished — to seeing her as she would be today.

The apartment hotel building where Madeleine McCann disappeared.

She said: “Nine years. Time just goes too quickly. It’s the quiet times that are tough. Times when you are thinking about her — or something related to her.”

Scotland Yard’s investigation into Madeleine’s abduction has been scaled down. But Kate and Gerry will continue to search for her.

She said: “The urge to look for Madeleine absolutely hasn’t changed at all. You hear all the time about people who have been missing for years being found. There have been so many cases like that.

“We will never give up. You couldn’t settle if you thought about giving up. I want an end, an answer. Whatever that it is.”

This story originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission.