Maddie McCann’s parents ‘still have hope’

As they prepare to mark 10 years without their little girl, the McCanns have given a tell-all interview about how their coping since Maddie’s disappearance.

You no doubt remember that little Maddie McCann disappeared on May 3, 2007 while on holidays with her parents in Portugal.

Since then the family have been through quite the ordeal, even at one point being named suspects in her disappearance.

In an interview, broadcast overnight in the UK, the McCanns have opened up about life without Maddie and revealed they still hold out hope she will be found.

In a heartbreaking admission in the interview, Maddie’s mum Kate revealed she still buys birthday and Christmas presents for her missing daughter.

“I do all the present buying. I obviously have to think about what age she is and something that, whenever we find her, will still be appropriate so there’s a lot of thought goes into it.” the Mirror reports she said.

“But I couldn’t not, you know, she’s still our daughter, she’ll always be our daughter.

“Madeleine is part of our life, there’s photographs all round the house. Whether it be a birthday, family occasion or even an achievement or something, that is kind of when you really feel her absence.”

Their story is one that breaks hearts around the world, and while the main focus is on Maddie and her parents, not much is said about the other children in the family.

Maddie’s twin siblings Sean and Amelie are now 12, and Kate said she’s had to keep going so they can have a normal life.

“One of our goals – while obviously ultimately finding Madeleine – was to ensure Sean and Amelie have a very normal, happy and fulfilling life and we’ll do everything that we can to ensure that,” she said in the interview.

“Obviously massive events like this cause a lot of reaction, a lot of trauma and upset. But ultimately you have to keep going, especially when you have got other children involved.”

Over the years you’ve probably seen some terrible things written about the McCanns and shock accusations made against them.

In the interview, Gerry McCann addresses those and talks about explaining them to their twins.

“We have been as open with them as we can. We have told them about things and people writing things that are untrue and they need to be aware of that.” he said.

“I don’t want to dwell on the negative aspects too long, but people just need to think twice before they write and the effect it has.”

But despite the negatives, the family say they are grateful for the support they’ve been given from the public as they prepare to mark the anniversary of Maddie’s disappearance.

“Every day is another day, without Madeleine,” Kate said in the interview.

“That 10-year mark makes it more significant. I think we’ll get by as any other year really, surrounded by family and friends, remembering Madeleine, as we always have.”

You can’t help but feel for the McCanns.

Have you ever lost a child? How did you cope?