Ross Hall in Praia da Luz, Portugal
17 June 2007
The News of the World
Madeleine McCann'S dad has revealed he cannot bear to celebrate Father's Day today while his daughter is still missing.
Speaking from the family's apartment in Portugal, Gerry McCann said: "I can't think about last year's Father's Day and how we spent it. I honestly can't.
"My thoughts are focused on looking forward. I can't think about anything other than how we can help try to get Madeleine back."
Upsetting
Gerry, 39, and wife Kate, 38, took their two-year-old twins Sean and Amelie to a nearby zoo yesterday to avoid bumping into families celebrating today.
And from today, the News of the World will not show the twins' faces at the family's request.
Gerry explained: "Kate and I will have to remain in the public eye if this drags on for months.
"But we don't want Sean and Amelie to be instantly recognisable as they grow up."
Gerry also spoke about the heartache he and Kate endured as police searched wasteland nine miles from where Madeleine was taken after a "credible" tip-off this week.
He said: "The thought of a very public search with Madeleine coming out of it dead was extremely upsetting. Kate wasn't good during that time."
Friday will mark 50 days since Madeleine was abducted from the Mark Warner resort in Praia da Luz. To keep her plight in the public eye, the family are planning to release 50 balloons bearing Maddie's face in 50 countries.
The News of the World has launched a Pounds 1.5million reward for information leading to the safe return of the four-year-old.
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