Mccanns join villagers at church today

The McCann's close friends Fiona and David Payne, who joined them for the fateful holiday to Portugal's Praia da Luz in May 2007 from where Madeleine was snatched, are thought to be among supporters.

Madeleine's great aunt and uncle Janet and Brian Kennedy also took part in the special service at St Mary and St John Church. 

As devout Catholics Kate and Gerry remember their daughter at the large imposing 14th century church, 1,617 miles away in the pretty seaside resort of Luz locals will be praying for Madeleine too.

Villagers have gathered at the tiny whitewashed Nossa Senhora da Luz – Our Lady of Light Church – which became the couple's 'sanctuary' in the three months after their daughter vanished.



As devout Catholics Kate and Gerry remember their daughter at the large imposing 14th century church, 1,617 miles away in the pretty seaside resort of Luz locals will be praying too



There were flowers and pictured placed outside the church, where Kate and Gerry McCann went to pray after the disappearance and during numerous returns to the resort during the appeal to get information



Ronay Crompton, 38, from Bradford, releases ten balloons on the seafront in Praia Da Luz (pictured) this evening, one for each year she has been missing

Kate and Gerry prayed most days during their extended stay in the Algarve as they frantically searched for their daughter. 
They were even handed a set of keys by the priest so they could worship in the peace of the night whenever needed.

Cruelly, their tormentor, ex-Portuguese police chief Goncalo Amaral, insisted in a TV interview on Monday that Madeleine's body had been hidden in a dead woman's coffin and cremated – a claim their spokesman Clarence Mitchell dismisses as 'so insane it is almost laughable.'

In Liverpool, where Kate hails from and her parents Susan and Brian Healy live, prayers will also be said.

Three-year-old Madeleine was discovered missing from her bed in the rented apartment by her horrified mother shortly after 10pm on May 3 2007. She had been left alone with younger twin siblings Sean and Amelie while her parents were dining in the nearby Tapas restaurant with their seven pals, who became known collectively as the Tapas Nine.

Tonight, former GP and now medical worker Kate, 49, and eminent heart doctor Gerry, 48, will pray for their eldest child, who they believe is still alive.



Kate's uncle Brian Kennedy, pictured with her aunt Janet, echoing the sentiments of well wishers, later said: 'I can't believe we're here 10 years on but we will be here for as long as it takes. We don't know when the end is'



Brian and Janet Kennedy, Madeleine's great aunt and uncle, speak to the press after tonight's service in Rothley

Kate and Gerry McCann, dressed casually in jeans, a jumper and a beige coat, were holding hands as they made their way into the church. They appeared very solemn and straight-faced and kept their eyes looking forward.

They arrived at the church without their 12-year-old twins, who they try to keep out of the spotlight to shield them from the traumatic ordeal.

Earlier today, Kate's uncle Brian said: 'There will be a little programme at the parish church. Kate and Gerry will be there, they're not sure of the twins are coming or not, and while they won't be taking part in the short service they will probably say a few words of thanks to their supporters.'

Retired head teacher Brian, told how past anniversaries, barring a couple, had been marked with an informal outdoor gathering beside the village war memorial at Cross Green where a candle burns around the clock in Madeleine's memory.

Brian, who also lives in Rothley, explained: 'This year because of the significance of a 10th anniversary it was felt prayers in the church were more appropriate because of the amount of people wanting to show their support.'

The church's priest came out before their arrival and asked onlookers to keep back.

Well-wishers left candles, flowers, and messages tied with yellow ribbon - signifying hope - outside the church.

Kate, in her own message on the Find Madeleine website, told how 'stressful and painful' this week and next would be - the 'unwanted' landmark anniversary and her daughter's 14th birthday in just nine days, May 12.

She wrote: 'We never thought we'd be in this situation so far along the line. Ten years- there's no easy way to say it, describe it, accept it.



Ronay Crompton, 38, from Bradford, leaves a tribute to Madeleine McCann outside the Church of Nossa Senhora da Luz in Praia Da Luz, where the child went missing from ten years ago



'But the two themes that seem most appropriate to me as we reach this ten-year mark are perseverance and gratitude: We will go on, try our hardest, never give up and make the best of the life we have.'

A packed 250-strong congregation today attended the service, with prayers led by vicar the Reverend Rob Gladstone, who has become a family friend.

A collage of pictures of Madeleine and other missing children have been placed at the altar.

It is the church were on the first year anniversary of Madeleine's kidnap her sobbing mother gave an impromptu speech to the congregation begging everyone 'to pray like mad' for her lost daughter. Overcome by emotion, she then collapsed into her husband's arms.



Madeleine McCann's great uncle Brian Kennedy greets a well wisher as they attend the prayer service in Rothley






Retired head teacher Brian (left), told how past anniversaries, barring a couple, had been marked with an informal outdoor gathering beside the village war memorial at Cross Green where a candle burns around the clock in Madeleine's memory




Outside the war memorial in the town, people also left items to remember Madeleine, who has now been missing since she was three years old

The service was held at St Mary and St John Church, where they have been regularly to pray after the disappearance of Madeleine in 2007



A packed 250-strong congregation is expected to attend the service with Kate and Gerry (pictured), with prayers led by vicar the Rev. Rob Gladstone, who has become a family friend

Today a stronger Kate vows to do 'whatever it takes for as long as it takes' to find Madeleine, who she believes is still alive and now a teenager.

'My hope for Madeleine being out there is no less than it was almost 10 years ago,' she said, adding that many people are 'willing her home.'

In BBC Panorama interview to be screened tonight Kate describes the decade anniversary as 'a horrible marker of stolen time' telling Fiona Bruce 'because we should have been a family of five for all that time.'

Her husband adds: 'We're still looking forward, I think that's the most important thing, we still hope.'o make reference to the fact that they are doctors etc etc - things which are not relevant whatsoever to two grieving parents who to this day are still suffering. Let's hope none of you red arrowers suffer the same fate.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4470752/Kate-Gerry-McCann-join-prayers-Madeleine.html