Madeleine's grandfather: 'We pray that she will be back with us for Christmas'
Last updated at 18:17 25 November 2007
Kate and Gerry McCann have decided to buy Christmas presents for Madeleine this year in the desperate hope that their missing daughter will be home in time to unwrap them.
Madeleine's grandfather Brian Healy has revealed how the family are convinced that she is alive.
Speaking from his home in Liverpool, Brian told The People: "We will all buy her a Christmas present and they will be under the tree waiting for her when she comes home."
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Appealing for further help to get Madeleine home for Christmas he added: "Yes this is going to be one of the most difficult times of the year for all of us because Madeline, like all children, especially loved Christmas.
"Last year the whole family had such a wonderful time and we pray that we will be together again.
"That's why we are determined to buy her presents just like we have always done and we wish more than anything else she will be home in time to open them.
"We are just hoping that people will be thinking of Maddie more than ever because it is Christmas and it might lead to a breakthrough.
"It really would be a miracle and we would appeal to parents to think about Maddie at this time of the year and help us to bring her home in time for Christmas."
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"Last year things could not have been more different. It was one of our happiest Christmases ever.
"Maddie loves this time of year and on the big day her face really does light up like a Christmas tree beaming with the most amazing smiles and excitement.
"I will never forget how happy the whole family was last year as we watched the three children play so blissfully together.
"Watching her open her presents was so special. She got a pink Barbie doll because that is her favourite colour.
"She really is a little princess.
Now it just seems so far away and we had no idea how much things would change.
"It is just unbearable to think that it could have been our last Christmas together."
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