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Monday, 14 May 2007, 17:00 GMT 18:00 UK

Madeleine father sure she is safe

Tributes in pictures

Gerry and Kate McCann The parents of Madeleine McCann have said they will not return home until they have found her.

Speaking in Praia da Luz, Portugal, Gerry McCann said the couple thought their child was being cared for.

He said they considered that until there was "concrete evidence to the contrary, we believe Madeleine is safe and is being looked after".

Rewards of £2.5m have been offered to anyone with information leading to the four-year-old's safe return.

Madeleine, from Rothley, Leicestershire, disappeared from an apartment in the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz on 3 May.

Mr McCann also said he and his wife had drawn "tremendous strength from the warmth and the spiritual outpouring" the couple had received "here and from all around the world".

A "fighting fund" to which members of the public can donate to help in the search for Madeleine is being set up by her family's lawyers.

The legal team, which has flown out to Portugal, will reveal details of the fund within the next few days.

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Mr McCann added: "The thrust of the search for Madeleine is the investigation, which we are fully supporting.

"We have brought in the lawyers to advise us what else can be done. I don't know what that is at the minute."

His wife said: "We can't even consider returning home at the moment, can't even let it enter my head."

A spokesman for the International Family Law Group, the legal company helping the McCanns, said: "Gerry and Kate are very grateful for all the support and generous offers of help that they are receiving.

"Details of how contributions can be made to help get Madeleine back to the safety of her own family will be made available in the next couple of days."

Businessman Sir Richard Branson, footballer Wayne Rooney and children's author JK Rowling are among those who have contributed to rewards totalling £2.5m for the safe return of Madeleine.

The official ground search for Madeleine in the Algarve has ended, but police say they still have significant leads to follow up.

The focus has shifted from a local search for Madeleine to an international child abduction inquiry, amid suggestions she may have been taken out of Portugal.

Police have declined to confirm or deny reports about any possible leads, citing Portuguese law.

The international number for Crime stoppers is +44 1883 731 336. People with information about Madeleine can call anonymously.

Map of Luz Ocean complex




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