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Madeleine McCann disappeared at the age of three from the Portuguese resort of Praia da Luz, where she was holiday with her parents Kate and Gerry, and siblings Sean and Amelie. Her 2007
disappearance is still unsolved, however her parents still campaign for awareness of their daughter’s case. On the seventh anniversary in 2014, Kate and Gerry McCann spoke to the BBC about
how they still visit the small seaside town where Madeleine went missing. Fiona Bruce asked the couple: “Do you ever go back yourselves to put up some posters, or generate interest and get
more evidence?” Kate replied: “I do go back, I do go back for personal reasons. “I might, once or twice a year.” Gerry added: “There’s a lot of the local community there who are incredibly
supportive, Portuguese and others. “We made some good friends there.” Kate continued: “It’s difficult because we don’t want to go back and generate publicity. “I know a lot of local people
don’t like that, or resent that. “While we have some really good friends in Praia da Luz, I know some people would like it to go away. “So, when I go to Praia da Luz, I go quietly.” Ms
Bruce then asked: “I guess for you, it’s a chance to be close to her?” Kate said: “Well, it is. I mean, that’s obviously the last place we were with Madeleine. “I’ll still walk those
streets and, I guess, look for answers. “It helps me, most of the time.” In 2011, Kate released her own book, titled “Madeleine: Our daughter's disappearance and the continuing search
for her”. In it, she wrote: “I feel a strong bond with Praia da Luz – the place I last saw Madeleine.” The couple also found supportive community at the local church, Nossa Senhora da Luz,
where they attended both Catholic and Anglican services. In the book, Kate wrote: “Gerry and I were able to seek solace at Nossa Senhora da Luz, I spent time at my rocks on the beach and we
caught up with friends. “To this day I still return quietly to Luz from time to time to feel Madeleine close to me.” Although last month’s Netflix eight-part series, “The Disappearance of
Madeleine McCann” reignited public interest in the case, it was made without the support of the McCann family. In a statement on their website, findmadeleine.com, Kate and Gerry said: “We
did not see and still do not see how this programme will help the search for Madeleine and, particularly given there is an active police investigation, could potentially hinder it.
“Consequently, our views and preferences are not reflected in the programme.”