Byline: By SARAH JELLEMA and ROD CHAYTOR
GORGEOUS mum Vivienne Connolly led a vigil for kidnapped Madeleine McCann yesterday.
The Irish model held her three-year-old son Ben at St Stephen's Green, Dublin, as she asked Irish mothers to pray for the snatched tot's safe return before going to bed tonight.
Appalled by the abduction, Vivienne said she wanted to do her best to make a difference.
The mum of two added: "The Minute for Maddy campaign is simply a minute together, praying with our children.
"If normal people get together and show solidarity, it creates a momentum and awareness that will keep the campaign going.
"Momentum to encourage people, wherever they are in the world to always be on the lookout for Madeline and never give up the search."
Meanwhile, family and friends of Madeleine yesterday launched an appeal fund to help in the search for the missing child.
The Madeleine Fund: Leaving No Stone Unturned will allow people to offer financial support to aid the hunt and bring her abductors to justice.
Donations would could also allow her distraught parents Kate and Gerry, still out in Portugal, hire private detectives if the official inquiry falters.
Family members, friends and advisers have been working behind the scenes for several days to set up the fund as the hunt for Madeleine drags on.
It was launched yesterday at Leicester City's Walkers Stadium, near the McCanns' home village of Rothley.
Her uncle John, who travelled from Glasgow, said: "People have been phoning to ask where our fund is. There is a groundswell of emotional support that people want to turn into something concrete.
"We are hoping this is going to be resolved very soon. We have got one objective - we want to get our darling wee Maddy back."
The public face of the appeal will be World Cup winning former England rugby captain Martin Johnson, who said of Madeleine's disappearance: "Obviously this has touched everyone. But as a parent and father myself, this has really hit home.
"I am here to help in any way I can and support the fund and represent the local community."
If the McCanns' ordeal is brought to an end soon surplus money will be used to help families who suffer a similar nightmare in the future.
Internet donations can be made via "Madeleine's Fund: Leaving No Stone Unturned", sort code 60 40 05, account number 32130058.
CAPTION(S):
SUPPORT: Vivienne and Ben on Grafton Street, Dublin; SUFFERING: Gerry and Kate with twins

No comments:
Post a Comment