Friends rally with support for distraught McCanns

May 8 2007 by Caroline Innes, Liverpool Daily Post

FRIENDS of the McCann family last night rallied with support for the distraught couple and revealed they were hoping for a breakthrough in the investigation by midday today.

As Portuguese police and firefighters extended their search to a nine-mile radius around the resort, friends of Kate McCann, originally from Allerton, said the investigation was at a crucial stage.

They said the police and the family were closely guarding information in a desperate attempt not to scare or provoke the person, who they believe is still holding three-year-old Madeleine captive.

John Corner, founder of Liverpool-based River Media, is godfather to the McCanns�?two-year-old twins.

His wife has known Mrs McCann since they were both aged just three, and the couple have been in contact with the McCann’s and their relatives who have flown to the Algarve to be with the couple.

A father-of-three himself, Mr Corner said the family would not be making any further comments to the media until today �?when he hoped there would be positive news.

Madeleine’s grandfather and grandmother Brian and Susan Healey, of Mossley Hill, continue to stay in Praia Da Luz support-ing their daughter and helping with the continuing search.

A small volunteer party of around 20 people were still searching forests and rough ground around the outskirts of the village of Espiche.

Last night, Dave Felton, a Manchester man who lives in the village, said: “I think people are still hoping that we don’t actually find her and that she is safe and sound somewhere.

“If we find her, then maybe it is not the best thing.�?/P>