Madeleine's Fund Timeline
03 May 2007 At 10:00pm Madeleine is reported missing
06 May 2007 First website set up
The official Madeleine McCann website is launched under the domain name www.bringmadeleinehome.com - This does not have a 'Donate' button and is simply an awareness site.
The Infohost site says: 'On the 6th of May Infohost received a call from Philomena McCann, Madeleine's aunt, asking if they would set up a website to help find her niece. The website was set up that day as: www.bringmadeleinehome.com
11 May 2007 Lawyers fly in / 'No Stone Unturned' mentioned for the first time
Portuguese newspapers report that this is the days lawyers flew in to Portugal and met with the McCanns at the Ocean Club.
Extract
English Lawyers in Lagos
However, it is known to DN, that two British lawyers arrived Friday afternoon at the Ocean Club resort, and were staying there to advise the parents of Madeleine in the process. A situation that arises hours after the last presence of the parents with the PJ in Portimão, where they were interviewed for the second time, for long hours.
Although the PJ reiterate that the relatives and friends of Madeleine "do not fall under any suspicion," the presence of lawyers is nevertheless a curious fact, at a time where there is talk of a possible return to the United Kingdom by the couple. According to the PJ, there is no legal obligation to prevent the family and friends from leaving the country at this stage since "nobody has been made an arguido".
Diário de Notícias (Portuguese Language)
Gerry McCann reads a short prepared statement to the waiting press on the road outside their holiday apartment. He specifically emphasises that they will 'Leave No Stone Unturned' in the search for Madeleine. He also mentions how grateful they are with the offers of support they have received both from home and around the world.
It would appear from this statement that the name of the company had already been decided and that this was a form of public preparation for the launch of Madeleine's Fund.
13 May 2007 McCanns lawyers arrival officially acknowledged
It emerges, for the first time officially, that London lawyers have flown to Portugal to assist the McCanns, and are setting up a special "Fighting Fund" to allow members of the public to make their own financial contribution to the search.
McCann family members in the UK confirm that 2 leading UK lawyers from the International Family Law Group (IFLG), specialising in divorce settlements where the affected parties are from different countries, have been hired.
Media Release
Last week, Gerry and Kate McCann instructed the International Family Law Group, London specialist lawyers in child abduction and international family law, together with Michael Nicholls QC of 1 Hare Court, to help them in the search for Madeleine. They have been visiting the family in Portugal.
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.
14 May 2007 McCanns lawyers approach the Charity Commission
"We were first approached for our advice about the possibility of a fund to assist the parents' search on Monday 14th May," explained a spokeswoman for the Commission. We held discussions with the family's lawyers and in the end they decided not to pursue that route."
Gerry reveals help from two British lawyers at press conference
Kate and Gerry answer questions from the media for the first time, on the road outside their holiday apartment. Gerry says he is now being helped by two British lawyers from the Family Law Group on how best to use money pledged to help find Madeleine and give assistance in Portuguese legal processes.
He said: "We have felt a burden lifted from our shoulders. It is one less thing to think about. It has allowed us to concentrate more on our own physical and mental wellbeing. We do need to spend more time focusing on that and with our twins Sean and Amelie. We do wish to keep communicating with the media however as this is essential in the search for Maddy."
Public fund to aid Madeleine hunt BBC News
Monday 14 May 2007
A "Fighting Fund" to which members of the public can donate to help in the search for missing Madeleine McCann 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.
The lawyers will help with liaison and will not interfere with the inquiry, Madeleine's uncle John McCann has said.
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.
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".
15 May 2007 Madeleine's Fund Incorporated
Date of incorporation of "Madeleine's fund: Leaving No Stone Unturned Limited" with Companies House, as a private, limited by guarantee, no share capital company.
It is thought the original idea was to set the fund up as a charity but this was rejected, according to The Times, when it became clear that a charity cannot be operated for the sole benefit of one person. The Charity Commission later denied this.
One of the things that distinguishes a limited company is that it does not have all the rules and regulations which govern the conduct of the fundraising and which controls the proportion of charities funds that are spent on overheads, expenses and wages etc.
It was also reported at the time that the Charity Commission was extremely disturbed at the way the Fund was being advertised as it gave people the impression that they were donating to a charity - not a private limited company.
The reality is, however unpalatable, that Madeleine's Fund IS a private limited company and can therefore spend the money donated in any way it so chooses. The memorandum of association is so wide that practically any expenditure could be approved by the board of directors.
16 May 2007 Madeleine's Fund and new website launched
Madeleine's Fund is officially launched as a campaign to support her parents, find the missing youngster and bring her home.
The following press release has been made on behalf of the McCann family
Embargo: 15:30
Date: 16/05/07
Time: 15:30
Location: Walker Stadium, Leicester City Football Club, Filbert Way, Leicester LE2 7FL
Contact Names: Esther McVey, Adele Cropper
Wednesday 16 May at 15:30 in Leicester at the Walker Stadium will be the press launch of:
The Madeleine Fund - Leaving No Stone Unturned - www.findmadeleine.com
Attending the press conference:
Close family members John McCann, Susan and Brian Healy
Launching the Madeleine Fund: Martin Johnson CBE - Former England Rugby Union Player and Captain
Lawyers representing the family: The International Family Law Group, London
The McCann's 'Medical Family' Dr Doug Skehan, Clinical Director of Cardiology Respiratory services University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
Dr Tony Gershlick, Consultant Cardiologist at Glenfield Hospital
Leicester City Chief Executive Tim Davies
Leicester City Chief Executive Tim Davies said:
"I have young children myself and I want Gerry and kate, and the rest of Maddy's family to know that we are thinking of them every minute of every day and are fully supportive of the Madeleine Fund.
As a family orientated football club we will do anything and everything we can to ensure her safe return."
- Ends -
In conjunction, the website is relaunched under the new name www.findmadeleine.com although this is not officially announced until the next day, 17 May 2007. According to the McCanns interview with Steve Boggan in The Guardian, the domain name 'findmadeleine.com' was originally purchased by a stranger in France and then donated to the family.
17 May 2007 New website enables donations to be made online
The newly named website is officially announced, when visitors to the site are met by the following message:
'From this morning, Thursday 17 May 2007:
Members of the public will be able to make donations to: 'Madeleine's Fund: Leaving No Stone Unturned Limited' over the counter in any branch of NatWest and The Royal Bank of Scotland'.
McCann family friend, Michael Wright, reads a prepared statement outside the couple's apartment.
The first three paragraphs give the impression that this is Michael Wright's own statement, with input from Gerry. But, from the fourth paragraph onwards, it clearly becomes a statement solely from Gerry.
He says: "Gerry and Kate have asked me to give you an idea of the spread and scale of the campaign and the huge response to the Fund that was officially launched yesterday.
Let me start by saying that Gerry and Kate have taken immense strength from the support and good wishes they are receiving from all over the world. They have been totally overwhelmed by offers from individuals, small companies and multi national corporations.
Both of them are firmly fixed on the campaign, which is designed to raise Madeleine's profile right across Europe and ensure we bring her home safely. Their purpose is to turn hope into action.
Whilst none of us are experts in campaigning, the situation we have found ourselves in has galvanised us into action and made us think creatively. We are leaving no stone unturned and we have a huge number of campaign partners who are helping us to do that from sporting celebrities to big business.
Top of the list are the UK and Portuguese media, in particular, who have played a huge part in maintaining the profile of this case and the awareness of Madeleine. We need your continued support and now need to increase the coverage right across Europe.
Our campaign has started with an expansive poster distribution across Europe and our partners include multi-nationals from the oil, banking, telecoms and retail sectors. Other multi-national companies have already started to include Madeleine's image on every outgoing e-mail.
The response to yesterday's launch has been huge. The official website has received over 5 million hits today and the scale of the response has brought some difficulties and they are being dealt with.
But this is just the start. Each day brings more offers of help and new ideas. We are open to anything that will bring Madeleine home. If anyone wants to offer practical help we can be reached at campaign@bringmadeleinehome.com"
Guardian 17 May 2007 (Note: Below is the original report - parts of which were later removed when it was updated)
"We have got one principal objective with this fund - we want Madeleine back", said her uncle John McCann. He explained that the "Madeleine Fund" was the result of popular demand for a way of turning the groundswell of popular support into concrete action.
Before it's launch the fund had already raised £10,000 from medical colleagues of Gerry and Kate McCann from a bucket of money filled up by visitors to Leicester's Glenfield Hospital, where Madeleine's father works.
The money for the fund - which will gather donations through the website findmadeleine.com, via cheques and through donations at NatWest and Royal Bank of Scotland branches - will be used to help search for Madeleine and to support the McCann family.
The McCanns have said they are unable to leave Portugal for the foreseeable future. The fund also seeks to have her abductors brought to justice. Any eventual excess from the fund would be dedicated to similar causes.
18 May 2007 Trademark Application Filed
The campaign to find Madeleine McCann has applied for British and European trademarks to protect its fundraising, internet and print promotions. The applications, which were filed on May 18, seek to protect the name: "Madeleine's Fund: Leaving No Stone Unturned". The European application also seeks protection for the provision of social services and advice for people affected by missing children.
Source: The Times 14 August 2007
20 May 2007 Fund refused charitable status and forced to pay tax
The fund will not benefit from gift aid, a form of tax relief that allows charities to claim from the government an extra 28p for every £1 they receive in donations. And tax will have to be paid on all interest accrued by the fund.
Last night the Treasury refused to intervene, insisting it was the preserve of HM Revenue and Customs to decide tax liability.
Source: The Times 20 May 2007 (article below)
Online store created on website
Infohost site says: 'On the 20th May It was decided there should be some way for people to buy Look for Madeleine bands so Infohost created an online store putting all the money into the campaign fund.'
Madeleine appeal fund set up by Irish friend
A dedicated bank account is set up in Ireland to allow people to assist through donations.
Funds raised through the Madeleine McCann Appeal account at the AIB bank are to be used to help fund the ongoing search for Madeleine, and to help defray the cost of legal representation for her distraught parents.
Source: Irish Independent 20 May 2007 (article below)
Madeleine appeal fund set up by Irish friend
A dedicated bank account is set up in Ireland to allow people to assist through donations.
Funds raised through the Madeleine McCann Appeal account at the AIB bank are to be used to help fund the ongoing search for Madeline, and to help defray the costs of legal representation for her distraught parents.
Source: Irish Independent 20 May 2007 (article below)
Madeleine' Fund was set up by Bates Wells and Braithwaite
Setting up Madeleine's Fund, May 2007
Rosamund McCarthy and Philip Kirkpatrick were involved with setting up Madeleine's Fund: Leaving No Stone Unturned within 48 HOURS and helping to present its launch live on BBC and Sky TV.
Note: '48 hours' here refers to the length of time it took to set up Madeleine's Fund, not the length of time following Madeleine's reported disappearance.
Donations Page: findmadeleine.com 21 May 2007
Madeleine's Fund - The Directors
There are currently six directors of the Fund, at 11 July 2011. They are:
* Peter Hubner - a retired consultant, friend of the McCanns, appointed 21 May 2007 No. of Company appointments: 2 - Resigned 19 September 2010
* Brian Kennedy - a retired head teacher, Kate's Great Uncle, appointed 16 May 2007 - No. of Company appointments: 1
* Esther McVey - Managing director of a public relations & communications company. Kate's schoolfriend, appointed 20 June 2007 - No. of Company appointments: 1 - (Resigned) - Replaced by Edward Smethurst
* Edward Smethurst - Commercial law specialist with wealthy McCann supporter Brian Kennedy's company - appointment announced 09 January 2008
* Dr Doug Skehan - Clinical director in cardiology at Glenfield hospital - Gerry's boss - appointed 16 May 2007 - No. of company appointments: 2 - Resigned 24 August 2010
* Philip Tomlinson - A retired solicitor and former coroner in Leicestershire - appointed 20 June 2007 - No. of company appointments: 5 - (Resigned) - Replaced by Jon Corner
* Jon Corner - Film producer and friend of the McCanns - (Wife is a long time friend of Kate) and Godparent to the twins, Amelie and Sean - appointment announced 09
January 2008. Reportedly drafted in to help Clarence Mitchell look at offers they have received, such as making a docudrama or writing a book.
* Michael Linnett - A retired accountant - appointed 15 August 2007 - No. of company appointments: 8
* Gerry McCann - Father of Madeleine McCann - Appointed 12 November 2008
* Kate McCann - Mother of Madeleine McCann - Appointed 12 November 2008
* Company secretary - BWB Secretarial Limited - Appointed 15 May 2007 - No. of company appointments: 26
* BWB (No.2) Limited - was set up as a director on 15 May 2007 and resigned the next day, 16 May 2007
* FAQ about Madeleine's Fund
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| Esther McVey (Resigned) Spokesperson for Find Madeleine Fund and former school friend of Kate McCann |
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| Brian Kennedy Kate's Uncle |
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| John McCann Gerry's Brother Recent Filing History |
Documents filed since 15/05/2007
FILING DATE FORM DESCRIPTION
10/09/2007 288a DIRECTOR APPOINTED
08/08/2007 288a DIRECTOR APPOINTED
02/07/2007 288a DIRECTOR APPOINTED
28/06/2007 MEM/ARTS MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATIONARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
28/06/2007 RES01 ALTER MEMORANDUM 03/05/07
14/06/2007 288a DIRECTOR APPOINTED
12/06/2007 225 ACC. REF. DATE SHORTENED FROM 31/05/08 TO 31/03/08
03/06/2007 288a DIRECTOR APPOINTED
31/05/2007 288a DIRECTOR APPOINTED
31/05/2007 288a DIRECTOR APPOINTED
31/05/2007 ELRES S386 DISP APP AUDS 16/05/07; S252 DISP LAYING ACC
16/05/2007 S366A DISP HOLDING AGM 16/05/07
31/05/2007 288b DIRECTOR RESIGNED
15/05/2007 NEWINC INCORPORATION DOCUMENTSCERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATIONSTATEMENT OF DIRECTORS & REGISTERED OFFICEDECLARATION OF COMPLIANCEMEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATIONARTICLES
OF ASSOCIATION
(NOTE: Dates shown above are when amendments were filed with Companies House, NOT the date the change actually ocurred)
Reports available from Companies House
06-06-2008 Annual return made up to 15-05-2008 - 4 page(s) £18:00
12-02-2008 Notice of change of directors or secretaries or in their particulars. - 6page(s) £18:00
12-02-2008 Notice of change of directors or secretaries or in their particulars. - 2page(s) £18:00
12-02-2008 Notice of change of directors or secretaries or in their particulars. - 1page(s) £18:00
12-02-2008 Notice of change of directors or secreatries or in their particulars. - 1page(s) £18:00
14-09-2008 Notice of change of directors or secretaries or in their particulars. - 2page(s) £18:00
11-08-2007 Notice of change of directors or secretaries or in their particulars. - 2page(s) £18:00
05-07-2007 Notice of change of directors or secretaries or in their particulars. - 2page(s) £18:00
30-06-2007 Memorandum and Articles. - 16page(s) £18:00
30-06-2007 Resolution to adopt or alter Memorandum and Articles. - 1page(s) £18:00
19-06-2007 Notice of change of directors or secretaries or in their particulars. - 2page(s) £18:00
15-06-2007 Change of accounting reference date. - 1page(s) £18:00
06-06-2007 Notice of change of directors or secretaries or in their particulars. - 1page(s) £18:00
05-06-2007 Notice of change of directors or secretaries or in their particulars. - 2page(s) £18:00
05-06-2007 Notice of change of directors or secretaries or in their particulars. - 2page(s) £18:00
05-06-2007 Notice of change of directors or secretaries or in their particulars. - 1page(s) £18:00
05-06-2007 Elective Resolution. - 1page(s) £18:00
18-05-2007 New Incorporation documents. - 20page(s) £18:00
FAQS findmadeleine.com (As at 4th February 2009)
1. What are the objects of Madeleine's Fund?
Madeleine's Fund is a non-charitable not-for-profit company, which has been established to help find Madeleine McCann, to support her family, and to bring her home.
* To secure the safe return to her family of Madeleine McCann who was abducted in Praia da Luz, Portugal on Thursday 3rd May 2007;
* To procure that Madeleine's abduction is thoroughly investigated and that her abductors, as well as those who played and play any part in assisting them, are identified and brought to justice;
* To provide support, including financial assistance, to Madeleine's family
If the above objects are fulfilled then the objects of the Foundation shall be to pursue such purposes in similar cases arising in the United Kingdom, Portugal or elsewhere.
2. Is Madeleine's Fund a registered charity?
No. Madeleine's Fund is registered as a company limited by guarantee. It's company registration number is: 6248215.
3. What are the registered details of Madeleine's Fund?
Madeleine's Fund: Leaving No Stone Unturned Limited is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales, CRN 6248215. Registered office: 2-6 Cannon Street, London EC4M 6YH
4. Why is Madeleine's Fund not registered as a charity?
In England and Wales, registered charities are required to demonstrate public benefit. Because Madeleine's Fund is currently focussed on searching for one child, Madeleine McCann, it cannot register as a charity. However, it may be able to register as a charity in the future.
5. Can you claim Gift Aid on my donation to Madeleine's Fund?
No, Gift Aid is only available to registered charities.
6. Can I claim tax relief on my donation to Madeleine's Fund?
No, in the UK, tax relief is only available for charitable donations. Because Madeleine's Fund is not a registered charity, tax relief is not applicable to donations made to the Fund.
7. I have a charity account with Charities Aid Foundation from which I make regular donations with my vouchers. Can I use this to donate to Madeleine's Fund?
No. These accounts are used to obtain tax relief for charitable donations. As Madeleine's Fund is not a registered charity, it is inadmissible for this.
8. If Madeleine's Fund isn't a charity who is regulating it?
The Fund is subject to Company Law applicable in England and Wales and will be filing required returns with both Companies House and Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs.
Internally, in so far as is relevant and taking into account differences in structure, the Fund is aspiring to follow best practice policies and processes used by charities. The directors have reviewed its operation against "Good Governance:A code for the Voluntary and Community Sector". This sets out best practice requirements for charities.
The Fund also has:
* A Financial procedures manual
* Job descriptions for directors, chair and treasurer
* Clearly laid out policies and processes for
Payments
Expense claims
Risk management
Whistle blowing
Registering conflicts of interest
9. Who are the directors of Madeleine's Fund?
There are seven directors of the Fund. They are:
Edward Smethurst
Dr Doug Skehan
Philip Tomlinson
Jon Corner
Michael Linnett
Gerry McCann
Kate McCann
10. Are the directors paid?
The directors are not paid as directors of the company. However, they may, if family members, be beneficiaries of the Fund and they may, as is the case with some registered charities, be paid for providing services to the Fund. The Fund has established conflict of interest policies to deal with these situations. Currently, as at the end of August 2007, none of the directors are being paid for providing services to the Fund.
11. I've heard the directors are members of Madeleine's family. Is this true?
Two of the directors, Brian Kennedy and John McCann, are members of Madeleine's family. The other five directors are independent appointments. They were appointed to ensure the Board of Directors had independence and the range of skills required to manage the Fund.
12. But surely family members shouldn't be directors because the Fund is set up to support the family?
It is true that family members, including those on the Board, can benefit from the Fund. However, the Fund has a conflict of interest policy to manage this situation. Those directors who are members of Madeleine's family cannot vote in discussions relating to payments to family members. They also cannot sign cheques payable to themselves or other members of the family. The only exception to this was some small initial payments to family members made before the independent directors had signed the bank mandate.
13. I've heard that Kate and Gerry McCann might benefit from the Fund. Is this true?
Yes – the fund has provided support to Kate and Gerry. One of the reasons the fund was established was to support Madeleine's family and such financial assistance is one of its specific objectives. This assistance to Kate and Gerry was a subsistence allowance, provided whilst they were on unpaid leave from work and enabled them to push forward the campaign to find Madeleine. The directors approve all payments to Kate and Gerry, with family members not having a vote. Financial support given to Kate and Gerry since Gerry returned to work is negligible.
14. What is the money being spent on?
The Fund is supporting the McCann family during their search for Madeleine and in ensuring a high profile of Madeleine's abduction is maintained. Money spent to date has been on :
- supporting the private investigation to find Madeleine;
- ongoing public awareness raising ;
- establishing and updating the website ;
- family expenses; and,
- professional fee, including concerning international law on child abduction and the costs of setting up the Fund
The directors continue to review the future strategy of the Fund to ensure effective use of the funds
15. Who are the professional advisors to the Fund?
The Fund's lawyers are Bates Wells Braithwaite, 2-6 Cannon Street, London, EC4M 6YH. www.bateswells.co.uk
Auditors are Haysmacintyre, Fairfax House, 15 Fulwood Place, London,WC1V 6AY. www.haysmacintyre.com
Bankers are National Westminster Bank plc., 3rd Floor, Cavell House, 2A Charing Cross Road, London, WC2H 0NN www.natwest.com
Two points worth noting from the Companies House website
Types of company (from Companies House website)
Private company limited by guarantee - members' liability is limited to the amount they have agreed to contribute to the company's assets if it is wound up. This includes all RTM (Right to Manage) companies-, commonhold associations and those community interest companies which are companies limited by guarantee.
What types of words and expressions are sensitive?
The following words imply specific objects or functions:
benevolent, foundation or fund - names that include any of these words will be refused if they unjustifiably give the impression that the company has charitable status. If the company is limited by guarantee and has a non-profit distribution clause in the memorandum of association, then the name will normally be approved.
*
Note: that the words 'Fund' and 'Foundation' are used in the memorandum of association (detailed in 'objects of Madeleine's Fund' below). It is item 1.2 that allowed Madeleine's Fund to register as a private limited company as that clause indicates that any profit will be used to pursue 'such purposes in similar cases'.
It is highly unlikely the average person donating to the Fund would have investigated the memorandum of association before contributing. The use of the word 'Fund' in the title would clearly have led people to believe that they were donating to a charitable fund to help in the search for Madeleine.
So where has the money gone?
The short answer to that question is that we don't know. [Note: This article was written in April 2008. The accounts, to 31 March 2008, were released in January 2009 -View here]
The Fund's organisers have refused to say how much has been spent but have confirmed that money donated by the public was made available for the family's living expenses.
In October 2007, it was revealed that the Fund had been used to make mortgage payments on the McCanns' family home in Rothley. It is believed that two payments were made amounting to £4,000 but the fund directors have never been prepared to divulge that information. The information has come from Clarence Mitchell who isn't even on the board of directors.
The Fund also met the legal fees involved in the setting up of the private limited company but the Fund's directors ruled that they could not use it to pay the legal team defending them against Portuguese allegations that they were involved in Madeleine's disappearance. That has been met by a separate fund, using donations from wealthy benefactors including Sir Richard Branson.
The salary of the McCanns' spokesman Clarence Mitchell is paid by another millionaire, double-glazing tycoon Brian Kennedy. But Madeleine's Fund has paid for other staff, including former campaign manager Justine McGuinness.
In the weeks after Madeleine's disappearance it paid for her parents' campaign trips to Madrid, Amsterdam, Berlin, Washington DC and the Moroccan capital, Rabat.
It was revealed in September that about £300,000 had been spent, and that up to £80,000 was to be paid out for a new publicity campaign in Portugal, Spain and Morocco.
Donations have slowed dramatically, however, since the McCanns were made official suspects in the case.
Exact details of where the money has gone is unlikely to be made public for some time. The first accounts are not due until January 2009 and even then it is unlikely they will provide much detail as to how the money has been spent. Fund officials said an administrator had been appointed to ensure "the highest standards of transparency and accountability".
Mr Mitchell said in October 2007: "The Fund exists to support Kate and Gerry where their living costs would become difficult. Gerry is going back to work this week and they hope they will not have to rely on it for their living costs for much longer."
It is also unclear exactly how much money has come into the Fund from donations, merchandise sales and interest. The official findmadeleine.com site used to carry a running total but this was very rarely updated and has since been removed when the upgraded site was launched on 01 February 2008. The final figure shown on the old site was £1,223,629.31 at 08 January 2008.
Incomings:
£1,223,629.31 + merchandise sales + interest (official findmadeleine.com website no longer carries a running total for the fund so impossible to say what current figures are)
£550,000 from Express Group settlement
£1,773,629.31 Total incomings, although this must be higher due to interviews/donations which have not been publicly declared
Outgoings:
£300,000 - Setting up the fund/Misc expenses/Promotional
£51,000 - Fees to Justine McGuiness as official spokesperson, based on £350 per day for 89 days (£31,150) + overtime payments and expenses - including bar and restaurant bills (£19,850).
£300,000 - Metodo 3 (based on 6 month contract @ £50,000 per month).
£4,000+ - Mortgage payments + 'living expenses'
£655,000+ Total outgoings
*
Note: On 22 December 2007, Clarence Mitchell is quoted as saying: "We will review Metodo 3’s contract as we would naturally with any contract. It’s an expensive operation but we are pleased with their work. All the directors want is value for money."
On 26 January 2008, the Times revealed that:
'They (The McCanns) were given a boost in November when the production company behind a Panorama documentary agreed to pay about £10,000 for exclusive footage of the couple taken by Jon Corner, a family friend, while they were still in Portugal.
Corner is donating any money he receives for ''licensing rights'' to the Madeleine fund. He said: ''We need to sustain the cost of the search for Madeleine. All money I receive from the broadcast itself will go straight back into the fund.''
Date and Amount declared on official site
20 May 2007
The balance on the fund account current stands at £73,505.58.
24 May 2007
The balance on the fund account current stands at £294,758.65.
26 May 2007
The balance on the fund account current stands at £313,091.17.
08 June 2007
The balance on 08/06/07, the fund account current stands at £713,927.81.
24 June 2007
Donations of £804,550.66 have been received to the fund to date.
27 June 2007
Donations of £823,010.23 have been received to the fund to date.
29 June 2007
Donations of £867,138.04 have been received to the fund to date.
09 July 2007
Donations of £901,234.89 have been received to the fund to date.
20 August 2007
Donations of £946,843.92 have been received to the fund to date.
24 August 2007
Donations of £1,005,000 have been received to the fund to date.
24 September 2007
Donations of £1,036,104.17 have been received to the fund to date.
29 September 2007
Donations of £1,041,697.60 have been received to the fund to date.
03 October 2007
The McCanns collect a cheque for £57,000 from their local newspaper, The Leicester Mercury. However, this amount does not appear to be reflected in the running total of donations.
08 October 2007
Donations of £1,091,108.67 have been received to the fund to date.
31 October 2007
Donations of £1,095,223.50 have been received by the fund to date.
23 December 2007
Donations of £1,223,629.31 have been received by the fund to date.
01 February 2008
Official site is relaunched and running total of donations removed.
Gerry talks about the offers of financial support, 14 May 2007
McCanns Offer Thanks For Public Support
The parents of missing Madeleine McCann have again thanked the public for their support during their ordeal. In a statement to the media they said they were particularly grateful for offers of financial support while they remain in Portugal.
00:02:23
'Fighting fund' set up by lawyers in Madeleine search
14 May 2007
Source: Daily Mail
Last updated at 16:43 14 May 2007
Members of the public could soon be able to make their own financial contribution to the search for missing Madeleine McCann, it has emerged.
The special "fighting fund" is being set up with the help of London lawyers who have flown to Portugal to assist the four-year-old's parents Gerry and Kate McCann.
A statement from the International Family Law Group, the firm instructed by the McCanns, said details of how people could make donations would be released within days.
A QC, Michael Nicholls, has also been instructed by the family as their determined battle to find Madeleine enters another week.
Madeleine's uncle John McCann, who lives in Glasgow but was in Praia Da Luz last week, said the lawyers would play a liaison role and would not interfere with the criminal investigation.
A spokesman for the International Family Law Group 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."
The couple have told friends they wanted to begin restoring an element of normality to life as they remain in Portugal waiting for a breakthrough.
Mr McCann has spoken openly about how he is convinced his daughter is still alive.
But the past 10 days have seen them holed up inside an apartment, just metres away from the building where the four-year-old was abducted, co-ordinating efforts to recover her.
Apart from daily visits to church for masses and private prayer, they have stayed within the same small area, making regular appearances to plea for information which could help get her back.
On Saturday, which was Madeleine's birthday, they took time out together with their two-year-old twins Sean and Amelie for the first time at a private villa.
After days looking increasingly drawn, they returned looking relaxed and attended a special birthday service at the local village church where Mr McCann delivered a powerful personal address telling of his faith and hope for the future.
"We are looking forward to the day when Madeleine returns to us as a joyous one," he told hundreds of villagers as they were showered with gifts, hugs and kisses.
While there is little information emerging about the investigation, behind the scenes there has been concentrated police activity.
Plain clothes officers dressed in holiday gear have been operating in the village.
Sources also said today that officers have been making targeted searches on white vans as recently as Saturday, taking them off to be examined by sniffer dogs.
The confirmation followed reports that officers were interested in the movements of a man seen loitering with a white van outside the apartment where the McCanns had been staying when Madeleine was snatched.
The Sunday Times said that a new detailed portrait had been compiled based on his description.
But two high profile theories now appear to have been ruled out.
Officers have been touring the area as recently as three days ago showing people images centred around a blonde foreign woman aged around 40.
They have also been investigating a complaint by a Portuguese man that a foreigner had been photographing his daughter in the nearby town of Sagres.
"There is no information to support those links," chief inspector Olegario Sousa of the Policia Judiciaria (PJ) said.
Around 10 British people, including the McCanns and their friends, have been re-interviewed to clarify their statements in recent days.
This week the group are set to appear in court behind closed doors to record their evidence for any future trial before they go back to the UK.
The procedure, known as "memory for the future", is similar to a mock trial in which the friends would give evidence as witnesses now against a future defendant.
Local lawyer Artur Rego said the procedure was used only in exceptional cases such as this where a large group of witnesses are foreign.
"It is recorded by video and kept sealed then released during the hearing," he said.
"If somebody is ever charged then this statement can then be unsealed and disclosed for the judge who is going to hear the case.
"It has the same value as witness statements delivered live in the trial."
But the McCanns themselves are not expected to be asked to take part.
Reports that a further British person interviewed on Saturday was being treated as a suspect have been dismissed.
Chief Inspector Sousa said that police did not have any specific suspects at present. Police have three general "hypotheses" but have not elaborated.
Yesterday Madeleine's uncle John McCann had a meeting with Glasgow marketing bosses ahead of the Espanyol-Sevilla Uefa cup clash being held in the city on Wednesday.
The plan is to show Madeleine's picture on large screens in the city where around 30,000 fans are expected to travel from Portugal's neighbour Spain for the match.
The rugby world has also added its support to the campaign to find the missing youngster.
Scotland captain Jason White called on anybody with any information to come forward.
"It's impossible to imagine what Madeleine's parents, Kate and Gerry must be going through right now and my heart goes out to them," he said.
John McCann talks at the launch of Madeleine's Fund, 16 May 2007
Madeleine's Uncle Launches Fighting Fund
Friends and family are stepping up their international campaign to find Madeleine. They have revealed details of a fund to help get the four-year-old back. Her uncle was at the launch representing the McCann family.
00:01:02
Madeleine's Fund launched FindMadeleine.com (information now removed)
The Madeleine Fund - 'Leaving No Stone Unturned' Appeal
Wednesday, 16 May 2007
Funds will be used to help find Madeleine McCann, support her family and bring her abductors to justice. Any surplus funds will be used to help families and missing children in United Kingdom, Portugal and elsewhere in similar circumstances.
By phone:
Text "MADDIE" to 60999 and £1 will be taken from your phone for the Madeleine Fund. (Standard network charges apply)
Over the counter:
members of the public can make donations to
'Madeleine's Fund : Leaving No Stone Unturned Limited'
over-the-counter in any branch of NatWest and The Royal Bank of Scotland.
Postal Donations can be made with cheques payable to 'Madeleine's Fund : Leaving No Stone Unturned'.
Cheques should be posted to the following address:
‘Madeleine’s Fund’
c/o The International Family Law Group
26 Southampton Street
Covent Garden
London
WC2E 7RS
Internet donations can be made into the following account:
'Madeleine's Fund : Leaving No Stone Unturned'
Branch Natwest
PO BOX 113
Cavell House
2A Charing Cross Road
London
WC2H ONN
Sort Code 60 40 05.
Account Number 32130058
Instant donations can now by made via Paypal.
Donations From Ireland:
Allied Irish Bank (AIB)
Account number: 07511020
Sort code: 937339
Madeleine McCann account
Internet banking donations from abroad:
Iban : GB63NWBK
Sort Code : 60 – 40 – 05
Account number : 32130058
Iban bic : NWBKGB2L
All donations will be processed free of charge.
Michael Wright reads a prepared statement, 17 May 2007
Team McCann: Statement From Kate And Gerry
Michael Wright, a close friend of the McCann family has spoken on behalf of Madeleine's parents Kate and Gerry, saying they are totally overwhelmed by the supprt they have received. Watch the whole statement here.
00:02:12
Fund refused charitable status and forced to pay tax, 20 May 2007
Algarve police 'hung up' on one suspect Sunday Times
John Follain and Steven Swinford, Praia da Luz
May 20, 2007
Extract:
Tax blow for search fund
In addition, the fund will not benefit from gift aid, a form of tax relief that allows charities to claim from the government an additional 28p for every £1 they receive in donations. And tax will have to be paid on all interest accrued by the fund.
Last night the Treasury refused to intervene, insisting it was the preserve of HM Revenue & Customs to decide tax liability.
The development will embarrass Gordon Brown who told Madeleine’s family last week he would do all he could to help on "a practical and a personal level".
The decision on charitable status could hit the family's efforts to trace Madeleine. Her parents Kate and Gerry are considering hiring a private investigator amid concern over the way police have handled the hunt. A FUND to finance the international search for Madeleine McCann will be forced to pay Vat and denied tax breaks worth tens of thousands of pounds after being refused charitable status writes Mark Macaskill.
The Madeleine fund has already received almost £80,000 from the public and businesses. Madeleine's parents had hoped for charity status for the fund but were turned down by the Charity Commission because the money raised is not for the "wider public good".
Instead, the fund has been registered as a company, which means it is liable to pay Vat at 17.5% on advertising costs and goods designed to raise funds, such as stickers. Charities are eligible for "zero rate" tax relief on such expenses.
The Charity Commission denies claims made in The Times, May 2007
Maddy's Fund rejection story 'misreported' says Commission Charity News Alert (link no longer available)
Gareth Jones
May, 2007
The Charity Commission has denied a report in The Times newspaper that it refused to award charitable status to the fund set up by the parents of missing child Madeleine McCann to finance the international search effort.
The Commission was quoted in the article as saying the money raised was not for the "wider public good", but has told Charity News Alert the story had been "misreported".
"We were first approached for our advice about the possibility of a fund to assist the parents' search on Monday 14 May," explained a spokeswoman for the Commission. "We held discussions with the family's lawyers and in the end they decided not to pursue that route."
Since the disappearance of Madeleine from a holiday villa in the Algarve, Portugal, on 3 May, the story has captured the public's sympathy and filled column inches in both the tabloids and the broadsheets. The search fund, known as Madeleine's Fund: Leaving No Stone Unturned, has so far raised over £184,000 from the public and businesses.
Madeleine appeal fund set up by Irish friend, 20 May 2007
Source: Irish Independent (No longer available online)
Ronald Quinlan
Sunday May 20 2007
AS the search for abducted four-year-old Madeleine McCann enters its third week, a dedicated bank account has finally been set up here in Ireland to allow people to assist through donations.
Funds raised through the Madeleine McCann Appeal account at the AIB bank are to be used to help fund the ongoing search for Madeline, and to help defray the costs of legal representation for her distraught parents.
The establishment of the account has been undertaken by Donegal-based Katerina Fernandez, a close friend of the missing girl's family.
Madeleine and her parents stayed with Ms Fernandez on a recent holiday in Donegal. Ms Fernandez fondly recalled the Easter visit.
"It's very hard to take it all in. It's bad enough when it's a child you don't know. But she was here with her family. It was only a weekend, but I can still see everybody down at the beach playing rounders. I can still picture Madeleine there. It's devastating," she said.
Ms Fernandez set up the fundraising account at the AIB to maintain awareness of Madeleine's case in Ireland.
Madeleine McCann Fund
AIB Account No: 07511020
Sort Code: 93-73-39
Gerry bemoans inability to use funds for legal costs as 'a disaster'
Now we're fighting for our lives
Source: News of the World (No longer available online)
By Sarah Nuwar
09 September 2007
Extract:
The McCanns now fear the cops may be about to arrest and charge them. Gerry told us: "Our lawyer said the weight of it is that, under the Portuguese legal system, they've got enough to move forward against us."
Then he revealed they may consider flying in a crack legal team from the UK to assist their Portuguese advisor.
But he confessed he is frustrated they are not allowed to use any of the £800,000 Madeleine Fund— boosted by celebrity appeals including Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling and soccer star David Beckham—to pay their mounting legal bills.
"It seems like a disaster that we've got this huge donated fund and now we're not allowed to use it for legal costs because we're under suspicion," said Gerry.
Madeleine Fund Won't Pay For Legal Costs
13 September 2007
Source: Sky News (No longer available online)
7:11am UK, Thursday September 13, 2007
Money from the Find Madeleine campaign will not be used to fund Kate and Gerry McCann's legal costs, the trustees have announced.
They announced the decision after discussing the matter at a special meeting.
The McCanns had already said they would not use the cash - more than £1m - to pay any legal bills, even if the trust had let them.
But the trustees decided to meet anyway to consider whether the money could be used in principle.
Fund director Esther McVey said the decision had been taken despite legal advice that it would be legally permissible to use the money for a legal defence.
She said the trustees understood that as well as a "legal answer" there was a "spirit which underlies the generous donations to Madeleine's fund", which it was their responsibility to steer.
Ms McVey thanked contributors to the fund for their kindness, support and generosity, and then explained that the fund had been set up to find Madeleine, support the McCanns and bring the abductor to justice.
She stressed that the McCanns had not asked to use the money to pay for their legal costs, and went on to say that any future fund set up to pay such costs would have to be separately administered.
A family spokesman earlier confirmed the McCanns would not seek to use the money to pay their legal bills.
He spoke out shortly before the McCanns left their home in Rothley, Leicestershire, for a short trip to a nearby park.
Gerry McCann drove the family's turquoise Volkswagen people carrier while his wife sat in the middle seat in the back, in between their two-year-old twins.
The couple are facing mounting costs after being named suspects in relation to Madeleine's disappearance in Portugal on May 3.
They have appointed top lawyers in case they are charged by Portuguese police.
'£300,000 spent' on search for Madeleine
26 September 2007
Source: Liverpool Daily Post (No longer available online)
By Tim Walsh, PA
Nearly £300,000 has been spent so far on the search for Madeleine McCann, it was revealed tonight.
Directors of a fighting fund set up to help find the four-year-old and support her family met today to discuss how the cash is spent.
To date, according to its website, individuals and organisations have given £1,036,104 to Madeleine's Fund, a non-charitable not-for-profit company.
Donations have rolled in from people touched by the appeals of parents Gerry and Kate McCann, whose daughter vanished from their holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, on May 3.
And this afternoon, the Fund's board of directors - comprising colleagues, friends and relatives - met in the couple's home county of Leicestershire to decide how to use the money.
The exact figures for what the donations are spent on will not be disclosed until the end of the financial year when the accounts are made public, said director Esther McVey.
But the board did reveal that nearly a third of the money collected has already been used.
Costs incurred include the launch of the Find Madeleine campaign, advertising, the production of the yellow and green wristbands and the employment of former campaign manager Justine McGuinness.
Legal fees had to be met for the setting up of Madeleine's Fund.
Private investigators, understood to include ex-military personnel, are being employed to search for the Rothley youngster outside of Portugal.
And with Mr McCann, the family's main earner, on unpaid leave from his job as consultant cardiologist, part of the Fund has been used to meet their living costs.
"I haven't got the exact figure but it is just under £300,000," said Ms McVey, after today's meeting.
On not producing a full breakdown of the costs, she added: "We are doing what every charity does. We are going by best practice charity rules."
A new £80,000 advertising campaign in the area of Portugal, Spain and Morocco, announced earlier this month, was among future costs discussed at the meeting, said co-director John McCann, Mr McCann's brother.
He said: "At the moment we are negotiating with the suppliers of billboards and the focus will be the Iberian peninsula.
"We are looking at more internet virals. We are talking to truck organisations about using the sides of their lorries.
"We are still negotiating with the big advertising companies to get better discounts."
Asked about expenditure on investigators to help find his niece, Mr McCann added: "We agreed in principle that we would leave no stone unturned and if we deemed it practicable it could be effective that private investigators be used.
"Not in Portugal, but it could be possible to use them in Morocco or Belgium, where there are sightings."
The McCanns and their supporters have become concerned in recent weeks that speculation surrounding the case has diverted attention away from the search for the youngster.
Speaking after today's meeting, director Dr Doug Skehan, a friend and colleague of Gerry McCann's at Glenfield Hospital, in Leicester, said: "I think the Fund remains directed towards Madeleine and the search and that was the whole focus of the discussion today.
"There's a focus on a reinvigoration of the campaign."
The couple's bill for their new spokesman, Clarence Mitchell, is being met by millionaire businessman Brian Kennedy, who shares a name with Mrs McCann's uncle.
Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson has confirmed he is giving £100,000 to help with their legal bills.
It was decided that the McCanns, named official suspects in their daughter's disappearance, will not use the fighting fund to pay for their defence costs.
In a statement, the board said previously: "The Fund directors realise that there is not only a legal answer and recognise the spirit which underlies the generous donations to Madeleine's Fund, which it is the directors' responsibility to steer.
"For this reason the Fund directors have decided not to pay for Gerry and Kate’s legal defence costs.
"We stress that Gerry and Kate have not asked for these costs to be paid."
Madeleine's Fund was set up, said its directors, "to find the little girl, support the family, bring the abductor or abductors to justice and, subject to that, help other missing children".
Surplus funds could be converted into a charity to help families and missing children in the UK, Portugal and elsewhere in similar circumstances, they said.
The board said it was following best practice governance procedures as set out in the Good Governance Code for the Voluntary and Community Sector.
The directors of the company include retired hospital consultant Peter Hubner, Mrs McCann's uncle Brian Kennedy, John McCann, former television presenter Ms McVey, a long-time friend of the couple, Dr Skehan and lawyer Philip Tomlinson.
A fund administrator has also been appointed to ensure "the highest standards of transparency and accountability", the board said.
The next meeting of the board is scheduled for sometime next month.
Madeleine: £300,000 of fighting fund has been spent on the search
Daily Mail reports £300,000 already spent on the search
27 September 2007
Last Updated at 00:10am on 27th September 2007
Extract:
Nearly £300,000 of the fighting fund set up to help finance the search for Madeleine and support her family has been spent so far. This represents a little under a third of the £1,036,104 given by individuals and organisations to Madeleine's Fund, a non-charitable not-for-profit company. The Fund's board of directors – comprising colleagues, friends and relatives – met yesterday to decide how to use the money.
The exact figures for what the donations are spent on will not be disclosed until the end of the financial year when the accounts are made public, said director Esther McVey. But the board did reveal that nearly a third of the money collected has been used.
With hospital consultant Mr McCann, the family's main earner, on unpaid leave, part of the Fund has been used to meet their living costs. Other costs incurred include the launch of the Find Madeleine campaign, advertising, legal fees and the employment of former campaign manager Justine McGuinness.
Private investigators, said to be ex-military personnel, are being employed to search for the youngster outside Portugal. They are focusing on countries such as Morocco, where there have been several sightings of Madeleine since she disappeared from the family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz on May 3.
But the news has infuriated the Portuguese police. Police trade union chief Carlos Anjos said it was "another diversion manoeuvre by the McCanns. It's another strategy by the McCanns, who today say one thing and tomorrow something completely different. Portugal does not have legislation in this area. Private detectives cannot intervene in criminal cases."
McCanns pay 'irrelevant' detective team £50,000 a month in Madeleine hunt
Source: Daily Mail
By VANESSA ALLEN
Last updated at 21:34 28 November 2007
The McCanns' private detectives have cost the Find Madeleine Fund £300,000, it was revealed yesterday.
The Spanish detective agency Metodo 3 has charged £50,000 a month for its initial six-month contract - the equivalent of around £2,000 for every working day.
The fee was agreed at a meeting of trustees of the Find Madeleine Fund, set up in May to help finance the worldwide search for the four-year-old.
But a fall in donations to the fund has raised questions about how long it can afford to employ Metodo 3.
It relies on public donations and has raised almost £1.1million in the six months since Madeleine went missing, but nearly £700,000 of that has now been spent. Donations - which poured in at up to £450,000 a month after the fund's launch - have fallen to under £30,000 a month since the McCanns were named as official suspects.
Trustees would be reluctant to give up the private detectives' search for Madeleine, which was the key aim of establishing of the not-for-profit company.
However, Metodo 3 has yet to find any concrete evidence about where she could be, despite boasts by it directorgeneral, Francisco Marco, that he would find her within five months.
The McCanns' spokesman, Clarence Mitchell, said: "The fund has agreed to pay Metodo 3 £50,000 a month towards their costs."
Asked about donations, he said: "Money pours in at the start and dries up after a while, it's only natural. Money is still coming in."
The fund has also approved at least £380,000 in spending on publicity, advertising and legal fees involved in setting up the fund, taking its total spending to almost £700,000.
Metodo 3 has had between 30 and 35 detectives working on the case in Britain, France, Spain, Portugal and Morocco since September, and the fee includes their expenses.
However, Portuguese detectives have labelled Metodo 3's private investigators "irrelevant" and said they have failed to provide any new evidence.
McCanns' fury at TV freeze Sunday Mirror (No direct online link - FindArticles.com)
By STEPHEN MAGUIRE
Dec 2, 2007
MADELEINE McCann's family are furious with TV3 bosses who froze a bank account which was meant to be used to help find the missing girl.
Almost EUR25,000 was raised by viewers of the TV station, based in Dublin, when it launched the Missing Maddie Fund in June. But station bosses decided not to hand over the cash because the main Maddie Fund was not a registered charity.
Last night Kate and Gerry McCann's family spokesman Clarence Mitchell said he was very disappointed at the station's move.
He said: "We would appeal to them to think again and forward the cash on so it can be used for the purpose it was intended".
"In relation to the charitable status of the fund we took legal advice on this issue and were advised not to do this".
"But we want to assure people, including TV3, that every penny of the fund can be accounted for." The TV3 Maddie appeal was launched in a blaze of publicity on June 1 after huge viewer interest in the plight of the missing four-year-old.
Donations of EUR24,345 soon flooded in, and the cash remains in an account at the Allied Irish Bank headquarters in Ballsbridge, Co Dublin, gathering interest.
A spokesman for the station said earlier that if a registered charity is not set up for Maddie the money will be donated to a registered child protection cause.
Charity cash will not go to Maddy fund
Source: Hemel Today
By Abena Bailey
Published Date: 20 December 2007
The Bull pub in Hemel Hempstead, which raised more than £1,500 towards the fund for missing toddler Madeleine McCann, has now decided to donate the money to Iraq soldiers instead.
Pub landlord Ricky Hampton made the decision after the parents of the four-year-old, who went missing in Portugal six months ago, became suspects in the police investigation.
The £1,570 total is now earmarked for Help For Heroes.
Mr Hampton explained: "We chose the charity because I served in Iraq during the war and I want to support my fellow soldiers because they don't get enough help from the government.
"Once we find what's happening with the Madeleine McCann case we will be able to decide whether to make a donation."
Mr Hampton confirmed that a charity football match, again originally in support of the Find Madeleine Fund, will go ahead and the money raised will go to the pub's new chosen charity.
Mr Hampton is now busy trying to persuade celebrities to play against the pub team and if HeraldExpress readers would like to play, they can contact him on 01442 268912, or find out more about Help For Heroes at www.helpforheroes.org.uk
l Since Madeleine's parents Kate and Gerry McCann were named official suspects, they have not used money from the Find Madeleine Fund, but the rate of donations to help find their daughter has slowed.
The current amount of £1,095,223.50, published on the Find Madeleine website, shows that less than £100,000 has been donated since July, when the amount stood at £1million.
Madeleine's Fund down to £500,000
Source: Leicester Mercury (No longer available online)
By TOM PEGDEN
10:30 - 09 July 2008
The Madeleine McCann fighting fund is down to £500,000, the family's spokesman said today.
At one time, the fund, partly launched to pay for the investigation into the disappearance, stood at £1.1 million.
Family spokesman Clarence Mitchell said that over the past year Madeleine's parents Kate and Gerry McCann, from Rothley, had spent hundreds of thousands of pounds on private investigators searching for their missing daughter.
He spoke as Leicestershire police agreed to pass on to the family 81 pieces of information collected by them in the first days after the disappearance.
Mr Mitchell said: "The fund is approximately half spent, at about £500,000. Most of it is going on investigators.
"Money is still coming in, and every time Kate and Gerry do interviews a bit more comes in."
The fund - which is not a registered charity - was set up to pay for private detectives to investigate Madeleine's disappearance, to fund a website and to provide support, including financial assistance, for her family.
It was bolstered in March by a £550,000 libel settlement from the national Express group of newspapers, boosting the fund to £1.1million. Small amounts are still trickling in from the public. Last year, the Leicester Mercury's Bands of Hope wristband campaign, supported by thousands of readers, contributed a further £57,000.
Mr and Mrs McCann also have the support of several benefactors, including Richard Branson and Cheshire businessman Brian Kennedy, who have helped by funding libel actions and paying Mr Mitchell's salary. Mr Mitchell said: "The backers have not got open chequebooks, but they are supportive of the family. It is right that the legal bills should come from the backers."
The family could know this week if MEPs have backed their campaign for a European-wide child alert scheme.
The European Parliament sits in Strasbourg until Thursday before the summer recess. It gives Euro MPs gathering in France their last real chance to support the campaign before its July 24 cut-off date.
Mr Mitchell said the Amber alert campaign, which was already being considered before the McCanns offered their support, had gained 308 MEP signatures and needed just 85 more to gain a majority.
The family also hope Portuguese authorities will agree to lift their official suspect - or arguido - status next month.
Anyone wishing to support the family can send cheques, payable to Madeleine's Fund: Leaving No Stone Unturned, to Madeleine's Fund: Leaving No Stone Unturned Limited, PO Box 53133, London, E18 2YR.
Madeleine's Fund board statements
MADELEINE’S FUND
Leaving No Stone Unturned
Madeleine’s fund is a non charitable not-for-profit company, which has been established to help find Madeleine McCann and to support her family and bring her abductors to justice. Any surplus funds will be used to help families and missing children in the United Kingdom, Portugal and elsewhere in similar circumstances. If there are surplus funds Madeleine’s Funds can be converted into a charity.
The Fund is following best practice governance procedures as set out in the Good Governance Code for the Voluntary and Community Sector. The directors of the company are Peter Hubner, Brian Kennedy, John McCann, Michael Linnett, Esther McVey, Doug Skehan and Philip Tomlinson. They have appropriate legal, business and charitable experience. An experienced Fund Administrator has been appointed to ensure the highest standards of transparency and accountability. This should enable the Directors to maintain an appropriate governance distance in the day-to-day operations of the Fund.
The Board and its individual Directors will ensure that the Fund is subject to required financial legal scrutiny. They will ensure that they receive reliable external advice and information, as the basis for making good decisions.
Statement by the Board of
Madeleine's Fund: Leaving No Stone Unturned Limited
12 September 2007
The Fund would like to thank everyone for their kindness, support and generosity.
Madeleine's Fund was set up to:
Find Madeleine;
Support the Family; and
Bring the abductor or abductors to justice
and subject to that to help other missing children
With the sudden dramatic and unexpected turn of events at the weekend the directors had to consider whether legal defence costs could be paid for by the Fund.
The Board has taken advice from Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP and Christopher McCall QC. The Board has been advised that payment of Gerry and Kate's legal defence costs would be legally permissible subject to conditions about repayment in the event of a guilty conviction.
The directors of the Fund discussed this today. The two family directors, Brian Kennedy and John McCann withdrew from the meeting when the decision was made. Esther Mcvey chaired the meeting.
The Fund directors realise that there is not only a legal answer and recognise the spirit which underlies the generous donations to Madeleine's Fund, which it is the directors' responsibility to steer.
For this reason the Fund directors have decided not to pay for Gerry and Kate's legal defence costs. We stress that Gerry and Kate have not asked for these costs to be paid. However, people have already called in offering their financial support. Any such fund to pay legal defence costs would have to be separately set up and administered.
At the heart of this campaign and Fund is a little girl confused, lonely and in need of her parents. This Fund's money will be focused on finding that little girl and leaving no stone unturned.
Statement from John McCann
Madeleine's Fund:Leaving No Stone Unturned Limited
15 September 2007
Director John McCann, said:
"On behalf of the extended McCann family and the Madeleine Fund, I would like to say how grateful we are for people's generosity and support.
The main objective of the Madeleine Fund is to leave no stone unturned in the search for Madeleine.
To that end I would like to announce that the Fund will finance a broad range of initiatives in advertising to remind everyone that Madeleine is still missing. These adverts will focus on Spain, Portugal and other parts of Europe and will consist of billboards and other media. This financing of advertisements will complement previous efforts by the Fund and many motivated individuals – family, friends and people touched by our cause.
I hope that the general public will continue to support us in this.
It is so important that we remember: "don't you forget about me"- our lovely wee Madeleine."
Statement from the Board
Madeleine's Fund- Leaving No Stone Unturned Limited
09 January 2008
BEGINS
'There was a scheduled board meeting of Madeleine's Fund today. We have reached a new longer- term phase in the search for Madeleine and we have reviewed how effective our Fund has been in pursuing its objectives. We agreed to continue our funding of the investigation to find Madeleine and we have decided to look at further media opportunities to support our search. To that end, we have invited two new directors to replace the two who stepped down, for business and personal reasons, We, together with Kate and Gerry McCann, extend our thanks to Esther and Phillip for their hard work and continuing support. We welcome Edward Smethurst and Jon Corner to the board to lend their expertise in commercial law and media.'
ENDS
Esther McVey resigns - announced 08 January 2008
On 08 January 2008, the Daily Mail (referring to the proposed film project) reports that:
'The film project will be discussed at a meeting of the fund's directors, including Gerry, tomorrow night at the McCanns' home in Rothley, Leicestershire...
The meeting tomorrow follows the resignation of key board members, including the fund's spokeswoman Esther McVey.'
Clarence Mitchell later confirmed the reports that Esther McVey had resigned from the board but denied it was because of any rift with the McCanns. He said she wanted to concentrate on her role as a Conservative parliamentary candidate and was also about to start studying for a demanding MBA qualification.
"She has a lot of commitments and realised she could not devote the time she wanted to the fund," he said. "She felt the New Year would be a good time for the change, and spoke to Kate about her decision. Kate and Gerry were disappointed but they both understood her reasons. She is an old friend of Kate's and continues to support the fund."
Mr Mitchell said other directors might also want to "rotate" their position on the board, as it had created a lot more work than was originally anticipated in May.
Link to Daily Mail article
(Clarence Mitchell's quote above was added to the article later in the day and then removed)
Links
Link to Companies House record of Madeleine's Fund (link no longer working)
Link to details and aims of the Fund as reported on findmadeleine.com(Link no longer working)
The latest reported change regarding directors and/or secretaries was logged on the 14/09/2007:
UK Data credit report information for Madeleine's Fund (Link no longer working)
Company Details - MADELEINE S FUND: LEAVING NO STONE UNTURNED LIMITED
Registered No.06248215
14-09-2007 Notice of change of directors or secretaries or in their particulars. - 2 page(s)
Unless a fee is paid it is not known which type of form 288 was submitted. As you can see though there have been eight occassions upon which a "change of directors and secretary and their details" report has been submitted.
Companies House Guidance on Limited Companies(Link no longer working)
5. Change of directors and secretary and their details - Forms 288
There are three types of Form 288.
Form 288(a) is used for the appointment of an officer.
Form 288(b) is used for an officer ceasing to act (resignation, removal, death etc).
Form 288(c) is used for a change in details of an officer, for example, a change of name or new residential address.
All changes to directors' and secretary's details must be sent to the Registrar within 14 days of the change.
(Thanks to Kashmir from Mirror Forums for this research)
Who put up 'reward' money to find Madeleine?
May 2007
Published in the News of the World - no link
THE News of the World has put up a record £1.5 million reward for the safe return of Madeleine McCann.
Stars and business leaders have donated huge sums in an unprecedented show of support for our Find Maddie campaign — to make up the largest award in newspaper history.
After we kicked off the fund with £250,000, Harry Potter author JK ROWLING put up a staggering amount — the largest single donation. But she asked us not to reveal the exact figure.
Kind-hearted JK married a Portuguese TV journalist and her first child Jessica was born in Portugal, a few hours' drive from Praia da Luz where Maddie was snatched 10 days ago.
Her dad Gerry said: "We are very happy and pleased with what you are doing. Anything that can be done to publicise that Madeleine is missing and help with the search is very welcome."
Topshop tycoon SIR PHILIP GREEN matched our £250,000 and said: "I hope this makes a difference."
Virgin's SIR RICHARD BRANSON put up £100,000, saying: "I'd like to appeal as a father to whoever is holding her to please bring her home safe."
Everton football club chairman and theatre boss BILL KENWRIGHT was one of the first people to see pictures of Maddie wearing his club's shirt before they were released this week.
Mr Kenwright, who has pledged a huge personal sum, said: "If it helps towards the reunion it will be the best cheque I've ever written."
Footie chairmen EGGERT MAGNUSSON of West Ham and Reading's JOHN MADEJSKI both gave £10,000.
Ann Summers boss JACQUELINE GOLD donated £100,000, explaining she wanted to get involved after meeting Sara Payne.
She said: "I pray that this nightmare comes to an end soon with the safe return of their beautiful little girl."
Telly star SIMON COWELL promised £50,000, saying: "I heard about the terrible situation here in LA and I hope she is found safe and sound."
Manchester United star WAYNE ROONEY and fiancée Coleen McLoughlin pledged £25,000, telling us: "We are praying for Maddie's safe return and for an end to what must be a nightmare for all her family."
The England cricket team joined in with £20,000. Captain MICHAEL VAUGHAN said: "Our thoughts and prayers are for Maddie's safe return."
Entrepreneur SIR TOM HUNTER pledged £100,000 with EasyJet boss SIR STELIOS Haji-Ioannou and Matalan chief JOHN HARGREAVES chipping in with large sums too.
Who paid for the Valentine's Day poster campaign in Spain? March 2008
We are led to believe Madeleine's Fund paid for these controversial posters, that included images of Mari Luz Cortes and Yeremi Vargas, but did they?
The supposedly independent website 'Helping To Find Madeleine', which has organised, cult-like, teams and members working throughout Europe, reports the following:
"Helping To Find Madeleine (HTFM) is pleased to announce that it has undertaken a further mailing project to raise awareness of the disappearnace of Madeleine McCann, Yeremi Vargas and Mari Luiz Cortez throughout Spain and the Islands of Ceuta and Mellilla.
An estimated 17,400 letters in Spanish accompanied by 2 A3 colour posters depicting the missing children have been mailed to Banks and Building Societies, Schools and Colleges, Restaurants and Fast Food outlets, Post Offices, Ports and Marinas, Churches and Other Places of Worship, Supermarkets and Shopping Centres, Railway and Bus Stations, Garden Centres, Camp Sites, Leisure Facilities, Tourist attractions, Vets, Tobacconists, Bakers, Butchers and Grocers.
Gathering of addresses has been carried out by members of HTFM who volunteered their own time to work on this project, with printing and mailing costs kept to an absolute minimum due to the ongoing support of Paceprint, Crossflight and Swiss Post.
HTFM and the Madeleine McCann Campaign thanks these businesses, the people of Spain and Ceuta and Mellilla as well as everyone involved in this project for their ongoing support and commitment in helping to find these missing children."
- If HTFM were behind the poster campaign, what happened to the money the Fund was supposed to have paid out? Or did the Fund pay the money direct to HTFM?
On the FAQ page of the HTFM website, they question is posed: 'Is HTFM part of the Find Madeleine campaign'.
The answer given is:
'No, HTFM is a separate body, governed by its own members. We work independently of the main Find Madeleine campaign, and not FOR them.'
Perhaps Clarence Mitchell would like to issue a statement to clarify the issue, bearing in mind he now appears to have become the spokesperson for Madeleine's Fund.
Kate and Gerry McCann become directors of Madeleine's Fund/The search for Madeleine now known as 'Project M', 08 April 2009
Madeleine's Fund findmadeleine.com
(6) Who are the directors of Madeleine's Fund?
There are nine directors of the Fund. They are:
Peter Hubner; a retired consultant;
Brian Kennedy, a retired head teacher;
John McCann, a medical representative;
Edward Smethurst – A Commercial lawyer;
Doug Skehan, clinical director in cardiology at Glenfield Hospital;
Jon Corner – Director of a media company;
Michael Linett- retired accountant
Kate McCann General Practitioner
Gerry McCann Consultant Cardiologist
Company Filing History Companies House(Link no longer working)
03/04/2009 DIRECTOR APPOINTED GERALD PATRICK MCCANN
(Note: There is no record of Kate McCann being appointed)
*
Madeleine's Fund:
About the Fund
Madeleine's Fund - 'Leaving No Stone Unturned' is a non-charitable not-for-profit company which has been established to find Madeleine McCann, support her family and bring her abductors to justice. The Fund is following best practice governance procedures as set out in the Good Governance Code for the Voluntary and Community Sector. The directors of the company are Peter Hubner, Brian Kennedy, John McCann, Michael Linnett, Edward Smethurst , Doug Skehan, Jon Corner, Kate McCann & Gerry McCann. They have appropriate legal, business and charitable experience. An experienced Fund Administrator has been appointed to ensure the highest standards of transparency and accountability. This should enable the Directors to maintain an appropriate governance distance in the day-to-day operations of the Fund.
Fund Objectives
The full objects of the Fund are:
To secure the safe return to her family of Madeleine McCann who was abducted in Praia da Luz, Portugal on Thursday 3rd May 2007;
To procure that Madeleine's abduction is thoroughly investigated and that her abductors, as well as those who played or play any part in assisting them, are identified and brought to justice; and
To provide support, including financial assistance, to Madeleine's family.
If the above objects are fulfilled then the objects of the Foundation shall be to pursue such purposes in similar cases arising in the United Kingdom, Portugal or elsewhere.
Fund Raising
We thank you for your interest in fund raising to support Madeleine's fund. Many donations have resulted from a variety of fund raising events. These have included Car Boot sales, jumble sales, school cake sales, race nights, sponsored runs & cycle events, ‘dress down' days, auctions & ‘cheese & wine' nights.
These events have further highlighted Madeleine's plight as well as bringing many people together to have fun whilst working towards one common goal.
We would be grateful if you are considering fund raising that you do not refer to Madeleine's fund as a registered charity as it is not. If you are embarking on a type fund raising which may carry an element of risk you may wish to consider your position regarding insurance cover. If you require further information please refer to:
http://www.institute-of-fundraising.org.uk/bestpractice/thecodes/codesoffundraisingpractice/
(Link no longer working)
FAQs
(1) Who are the main contributors to the fund?
Many members of the general public from across the world have kindly donated to Madeleine's Fund, either by personal donation or fund raising events. In addition to this, over £1 million pounds in libel damages and compensation awarded to Kate and Gerry McCann and their friends has been paid into Madeleine's Fund.
(2) What are the registered details of Madeleine's Fund?
Madeleine's Fund: Leaving No Stone Unturned Limited is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales, CRN 6248215. Registered office: 2-6 Cannon Street, London EC4M 6YH.
(3) Why is Madeleine's Fund not registered as a charity?
Because Madeleine's Fund is currently focussed on searching for one child only, Madeleine McCann it cannot register as a charity. However in the future, if the objects of the fund are fulfilled and subsequently changed to concentrate on multiple similar cases, it may then be possible to acquire charitable status.
(4) Can gift aid or tax relief be claimed on my donation to Madeleine's Fund?
No it cannot because these are only available to registered charities.
(5) If Madeleine's Fund isn't a charity who is regulating it?
The directors regulate Madeleine's Fund and they aspire to follow best practice policies and processes used by charities. The directors have reviewed its operation against “Good Governance: A Code for the Voluntary and Community Sector”. This sets out best practice requirements for charities.
The Fund also has:
a Financial Procedures Manual
job descriptions for directors, chair and treasurer
clearly laid out policies and processes for:
payments
expense claims
risk management
whistle blowing
registering conflicts of interest
(6) Who are the directors of Madeleine's Fund?
There are nine directors of the Fund. They are:
Peter Hubner - a retired consultant;
Brian Kennedy - a retired head teacher;
John McCann - a medical representative;
Edward Smethurst - A Commercial lawyer;
Doug Skehan - clinical director in cardiology at Glenfield Hospital;
Jon Corner - Director of a media company;
Michael Linett - retired accountant
Kate McCann - General Practitioner
Gerry McCann - Consultant Cardiologist
(7) What is the money being spent on ?
The majority of the fund money has been and continues to be spent on investigative work to help find Madeleine. Additionally money continues to be spent on the wider 'Awareness Campaign' – reminding people that Madeleine is still missing and to remain vigilant. None of the directors have taken any money from the fund as remuneration.
Anyone who wishes further information with regards to the financial details of Madeleine's Fund and its professional advisors, please refer to the accounts filed at Company House.
*
Project M - Find Madeleine Team findmadeleine.com
Find Madeleine Team:
There is currently a small team of very committed and experienced people working hard to help us find Madeleine. This team includes retired British police officers and their support staff, several people with marketing and advertising skills, and highly motivated family members and friends.
Click to enlarge
Gerry McCann became a director of Madeleine's Fund on 12/11/2008, 10 April 2009
Some points to note from this document:
1) This is the electronically filed document that originated from Madeleine's Fund: Leaving No Stone Unturned Limited.
2) Gerry McCann was appointed a director on 12/11/2008, yet, despite promising that Madeleine's Fund would be 'entirely transparent', this information was not made public until it appeared in the UK press on 17 May 2009 - following its submission to Companies House in April.
3) Instead of satisfying the Companies House requirement to state his 'usual residential address', Gerry has used his work address of Glenfield Hospital. Gerry's boss at Glenfield, Douglas Skehan, is also on the board of directors.
What we have here is a public hospital with Trust status - funded by tax payers - being used as the residential address of a director of a privately run business.
4) There is no authorising director listed, and no accompanying signature, so it remains unclear who approved Gerry McCanns' election to the board of a fund of which he, and his family, are direct beneficiaries.
5) What assurance is there that Gerry won't get involved in making financial decisions from which he and his family will benefit?
Director address confidentiality parliament.uk (Link no longer working)
There is provision for an individual's address to remain confidential if a Confidentiality Order is granted under the provisions of Section 723B of the Companies Act 1965, as follows:
45. - (1) The Companies Act 1985 shall be amended as follows.
(2) After section 723A there shall be inserted-
"Confidentiality orders.
723B. - (1) Subject to the provisions of this section, an individual may make an application under this section to the Secretary of State where the condition in subsection (2) is satisfied.
(2) That condition is that the individual-
(a) is or proposes to become a director, secretary or permanent representative of a relevant company; and
(b) considers that the availability for inspection by members of the public of particulars of his usual residential address creates, or (if an order is not made under this section) is likely to create, a serious risk that he or a person who lives with him will be subjected to violence or intimidation.
(3) Where, on an application made by an individual under this section, the Secretary of State is satisfied that the availability for inspection by members of the public of particulars of the individual's usual residential address creates, or (if an order is not made under this section) is likely to create, a serious risk that the individual, or a person who lives with him, will be subjected to violence or intimidation, he shall make an order under this section ("a confidentiality order") in relation to him.
(4) Otherwise, he shall dismiss the application.
(...)
UHL NHS Trust 'content' for Gerry McCann to use Glenfield Hospital's address, 16 April 2009
UHL NHS Trust 'content' for Gerry McCann to use Glenfield Hospital's address
UHL NHS Trust 'content' for Gerry McCann to use Glenfield Hospital's address
By Nigel Moore
16 April 2009 (updated 19 April 2009)
In response to concerns about the use of Glenfield Hospital's address by Gerry McCann, in his capacity as a director of Madeleine's Fund, the Head of Communications at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust - which includes Glenfield Hospital - has stated that they are 'content'.
Gerry McCann was appointed a director of 'Madeleine's Fund: Leaving No Stone Unturned Limited' on 12th November 2008, although this change to the board of directors was not filed with Companies House until 3rd April 2009.
The document submitted to notify this change showed that Dr McCann had used Glenfield Hospital as a 'service address' instead of providing his 'usual residential address'.
This is possible if the Secretary of State considers that public disclosure of a directors residential address 'is likely to create a serious risk that he, or a person who lives with him, will be subjected to violence or intimidation'.
In response to concerns that a director of a private limited company was using a publicly funded NHS Trust in this way - rather than using his company accountants or solicitors - the Head of Communications stated that 'We continue to support Dr McCann and are content for him to continue to use his professional address in this manner'.
Documents were filed for Kate McCann at the same time as her husband, 12th November 2008, but her appointment to the board of directors has yet to be authorised by Companies House - despite being listed as a director on the FindMadeleine.com site. This means that, technically, she cannot yet act as a director - nor claim any associated expenses.
Kate McCanns' directorship registered with Companies House, 03 May 2009
By Nigel Moore
03 May 2009
The appointment of Kate McCann as a director of 'Madeleine's Fund: Leaving No Stone Unturned Limited' has now been confirmed by Companies House. The appointment was authorised on 01 May 2009, being effective from 12 November 2008.
Like Gerry McCann, Kate has elected to provide a 'service address' rather than her usual residential address. It will be remembered that Gerry used the address of Glenfield Hospital, with their blessing, despite it being a public hospital with Trust status.
Kate has chosen to use the address of Bates Wells and Braithwaite solicitors, which is also the Registered Office of the Company: 2-6, Cannon Street, London EC4.
12 November 2008 was clearly a busy day for Madeleine's Fund. On that day, the chairman's report was signed by John McCann; the accountant's report was signed by Michael Linnett, a retired accountant and director of Madeleine's Fund; the accounts were then signed off by the auditors haysmacintyre, the same day they were presented; and Kate and Gerry became directors of a company of which they are not only direct financial beneficiaries - under the objects of the Fund - but also, since November 2008, have been able to claim payment, and expenses, as directors.
There are three questions that stem from this.
1) Why does a company which receives most of its revenue direct into its bank account, and which outsources its merchandise sales to a garage in Scotland, need 9 directors?
2) Has Kate McCann been receiving payment for her much publicised 'months and months and months going through' the police files? And, if so, how much?
3) Was the McCanns decision to adopt a DIY approach to working through the police files, and their sudden appointment as directors, linked?
Given the secretive nature in which the appointments of Gerry and Kate McCann were made and the apparent inability, or unwillingness, of the directors to make any kind of public statement, it's unlikely that the answer to any of these questions will be known anytime soon.
McCanns join fighting fund board
Source: Sunday Express
By Tracey Kandohla
Sunday 17 May 2009
KATE and Gerry McCann have become directors of the public fund set up to find their missing daughter, it was revealed yesterday.
Madeleine's parents recently joined the board, along with seven other new members, their spokesman Clarence Mitchell confirmed.
"The board changes from time to time with old members going and new ones coming. The fund is properly managed and the board is there to distribute cash properly in the search for Madeleine," said Mr Mitchell.
Madeleine's Fund: Leaving No Stone Unturned is a limited company made up mainly of public donations.
It pays for a team of private investigators and awareness campaigns to remind people that Madeleine is still missing and to remain vigilant.
The fund states on its website: "None of the directors have taken any money from the fund as remuneration."
Nonetheless, one of its objectives is "to provide support, including financial assistance, to Madeleine's family".
As officials, the McCanns will help regulate the fund. Other directors include Kate's uncle, retired head teacher Brian Kennedy, Gerry's colleague Doug Skehan from Leicester's Glenfield Hospital and the McCanns' close friend Jon Corner.
The fighting fund, which once stood at more than £2million, could be empty by the end of the year.
Writing in his online diary, Gerry said: "There's still money in it. I can't give the exact figure but we have spent and continue to spend a lot of money with the aim of trying to enhance the chance of finding Madeleine.
"It won't dry up in the next few months but probably by the end of the year at the rate we are running."
The fund stood at £600,000 in January, according to accounts, and is now believed to stand at about £300,000.
Computer-generated photos of a present-day Madeleine plus a "reconstruction" of the night she disappeared form part of a new global campaign to find her.
In a statement on the Madeleine website on Friday, the McCanns said: "There has been a huge response to the reconstruction and we thank you for all the information received.
"Our investigation team are working through all this information. Once again thank you for not giving up on Madeleine."
Madeleine's Fund promoted by ICMEC as an NGO Don't You Forget About Me
09 June 2009
"Kate and I will work with the various non-governmental organisations to influence the policy makers who decide these important decisions."
Gerry's blog (Day 302: 29/02/2008-Friday)
By Nigel Moore
09 June 2009
According to the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children's (ICMEC) YouTube channel, 'Don't You Forget About Me', Madeleine's Fund is now classified as an NGO (Non-Governmental Organisation).
The ICMEC YouTube channel was created in collaboration with the Find Madeleine Campaign in order to help reunite children with their families.
So, is this information correct or is the channel falsely promoting "Find Madeleine" as an NGO for the benefit of American subscribers - in order to imbue it with an authority that it doesn't actually have?
What is an NGO? Wikipedia
Extracts:
'NGOs exist for a variety of reasons, usually to further the political or social goals of their members or funders. Examples include improving the state of the natural environment, encouraging the observance of human rights, improving the welfare of the disadvantaged, or representing a corporate agenda. However, there are a huge number of such organizations and their goals cover a broad range of political and philosophical positions. This can also easily be applied to private schools and athletic organizations.'
'Even though the term "non-governmental organization" implies independence from governments, most NGOs depend heavily on governments for their funding.'
'The legal form of NGOs is diverse and depends upon homegrown variations in each country's laws and practices. However, four main family groups of NGOs can be found worldwide:
Unincorporated and voluntary association
Trusts, charities and foundations
Companies not just for profit
Entities formed or registered under special NGO or non profit laws
NGOs are not subjects of international law, as states are. An exception is the International Committee of the Red Cross, which is subject to certain specific matters, mainly relating to the Geneva Convention.
The Council of Europe in Strasbourg drafted the European Convention on the Recognition of the Legal Personality of International Non-Governmental Organizations in 1986, which sets a common legal basis for the existence and work of NGOs in Europe. Article 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights protects the right to freedom of association, which is also a fundamental norm for NGOs.'
Non-governmental organisations based in the United Kingdom Wikipedia
A
ACTSA: Action for Southern Africa
Acronym Institute for Disarmament Diplomacy
Aptivate
B
British Atomic Scientists Association
British Helsinki Human Rights Group
D
Dignity in Dying
F
Forum for Stable Currencies
H
Homeless International
I
InterVol - The University of Birmingham International Volunteering Project
L
List of think tanks in the United Kingdom
M
Muslim Hands
O
One World Action
S
Somali Concern Group
V
VERTIC
Y
Young Lives
Updates: findmadeleine.com
May 2010
Update: Another 81 Miles for Madeleine
Poster for Event
Madeleine has been missing for just over 3 years and recently had her 7th birthday.
This weekend I am competing in the Etape Caledonia - an 81 mile (130km) cycle through Highland Perthshire with almost 2000m of ascent. I am raising money for Madeleine's Fund- Leaving No Stone Unturned and I would be grateful if you would consider sponsoring me. I hope to get round in under 5 hours- weather, injuries and luck permitting!
Donations can be made online via our donation page or directly through internet transfers (direction are on the donation page).
Please include etape in the reference.
Thank you.
Gerry
Donations page: findmadeleine.com
14 May 2010
Leicestershire Constabulary remove Madeleine McCann from the 'Missing persons' section of their website, 07 September 2010
* Update: Madeleine McCann page reappears, 08 September 2010
Leicestershire Constabulary remove Madeleine McCann from the 'Missing persons' section of their website leics.police.uk (Link no longer working)
07 September 2010
Search results for 'Madeleine McCann':
'Missing persons' page for Madeleine McCann returns 'Page not found':
The only remaining refence to Madeleine McCann on the website:
Please note: The form cannot be used for communicating information regarding Madeleine McCann. If you have messages of support for Madeleine's family please visit www.findmadeleine.com. If you have any other information please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Missing persons: Madeleine McCann leics.police.uk (Link no longer working)
08 September 2010
Madeleine McCann
Madeleine McCann from Rothley, Leicestershire disappeared on May 3 2007 from Praia da Luz, Portugal, nine days before her fourth birthday.
The investigation into her disappearance is being carried out by the Portuguese police.
Leicestershire Constabulary is one of a number of UK law enforcement agencies who are supporting the Portuguese authorities with their investigation.
The role of Leicestershire Constabulary is to complete and co-ordinate UK-based enquiries at the request of the Portuguese police and any tasks completed by British police are under their direction.
At the heart of this inquiry is an innocent little girl. Our focus remains on doing everything we can to assist the Portuguese police to find out what has happened to Madeleine.
If you have any information please contact your local police.
Updated on 02/08/09 at 14:00
Crime reference number: .
Further update to reinstate the link to the McCanns' findmadeleine.com website:
Missing persons: Madeleine McCann leics.police.uk (Link no longer working)
10 September 2010
The early union of the Leicestershire Constabulary, CEOP and McCanns' websites
Gerry McCann first announced the existence of the CEOP upload page at a press conference in Praia da Luz, on 22 May 2007, following his return from the UK.
...which linked to the CEOP website:
Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre
Help Find Madeleine McCann
Can You Help?
British police are calling on members of the public to help further in the search for Madeleine McCann. If you were at the Ocean Club Resort, Praia da Luz or in the surrounding areas in the two weeks leading up to Madeleine’s disappearance on Thursday 3 May then we would like to have copies of any photographs taken during your stay.
In particular we would like any pictures that have people in them who you don’t know as opposed to scenery shots or pictures of just your own family. If you have any such pictures then upload them here.
If you are unsure how to upload your pictures then click on this link where you will find a simple how to guide. You can also go into any high street photographic retailer and ask them to help in uploading your pictures onto this website.
British and Portuguese police are also asking anyone to contact them on the numbers below if they have seen anything suspicious related to the disappearance of Madeleine or if you believe you know where Madeleine is being concealed or hidden. Portuguese police have searched extensively around Praia da Luz and she has not been found. It is possible that she is being hidden or concealed in some way and if you know where then by now you may have realised that it is in everyone’s interest that she is returned to her family.
Call now:
British police on 0800 096 1233
or
Portuguese police on 00351 282 405 400
*
CEOP 'upload' and 'how to upload' pages:
And the CEOP website linked to...
John McCann and Dr Douglas Skeehan no longer on board of Madeleine's Fund
27 August 2010
Madeleine's Fund loses key McCann
Source: Sunday Express (Link)
26 September 2010
Madeleine's Fund loses key McCann Sunday Express
'NO STONE UNTURNED': New vigour in the hunt for Madeleine
By James Murray and Tracey Kandohla
Sunday September 26,2010
THE brother of Gerry McCann has quit the Madeleine Fund amid a drive to inject new dynamism into the search for the missing seven-year-old.
John McCann has been a dedicated director since the fund was launched more than three years ago and worked tirelessly behind the scenes to do everything he could to find the child.
However, latest company accounts show he left last month along with fellow director Douglas Skehan, a heart specialist and colleague of Gerry McCann who works with him at Leicester's Glenfield Hospital. Speaking at the launch of the fund two weeks after Madeleine vanished, John said: "This fund will be a vehicle to help our family get our darling, wee niece back."
In an update to their website, neither Kate nor Gerry McCann mentioned the names of the directors who have left.
Instead they focused on the renewed vigour behind the campaign to find their daughter. They believe Madeleine was abducted from their holiday apartment in Praia da Luz on Portugal's Algarve coast in May 2007.
The message states: "There will be some changes and development in terms of strategy and ideas as we endeavour to leave no stone unturned in our search.
"This will include some changes to the board of Madeleine's Fund, simply to try to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of what we are doing. It has now been three years and four months since Madeleine was taken from us. None of us ever thought we'd still be in the position we are today.
"Inevitably there has to be change for a variety of reasons but importantly, this will also allow people to help and support us in different ways.
"Regardless of change, everyone's focus, commitment and desire continues to be that of finding Madeleine."
New board members, as yet unnamed, have been appointed to the fund, which stands at £450,000 and relies on public donations to pay private investigators to carry on the search.
The unsigned blog continues: "Keeping Madeleine's image out there greatly increases our chances of finding her.
"It is a reminder to people that she is still missing and to please keep looking for her. In addition, we know that somebody knows where Madeleine is.
"One more reminder of her may be all that it takes for them to finally come forward and let us know."
The McCanns met Home Secretary Theresa May over the summer to ask for a review of all evidence in the case.
Uncle quits Maddy fund Sunday Express (paper edition)
Key McCann out as strategy gets revamp
Note:
By Nigel Moore
27 September 2010
The print edition of the Sunday Express concluded with the following paragraphs:
'The McCanns met Home Secretary Theresa May over the summer to ask for a review of all the evidence in the case by a hand-picked team of Scotland Yard officers.
Former police detectives David Edgar and Arthur Cowley have made repeated visits to Portugal and have a new photo fit of a suspect which has not yet been released to the public.'
This information was previously reported by James Murray, in his article, 'New image of Maddie McCann abductor', published in the Sunday Express of 30 May 2010.
In August, I contacted the official Find Madeleine campaign team and was informed that they were not aware of any immediate plans to release the image to the media.
Update:
By Nigel Moore
29 September 2010
The official Find Madeleine campaign team confirmed today that 'the situation is the same' as previously stated.
Mortgage payments
In October 2007, it was revealed that the McCanns had received money from Madeleine's Fund to enable them to meet two mortgage payments on their house in Rothley.
The board of directors refused to disclose the amount involved, although Clarence Mitchell later stated that two mortgage payments were made from Madeleine's Fund, for the months of July and August, amounting to around £4,000.
Family Home: The mortgage repayments on the house in Rothley are believed to be around £2000 a month
Source: Sky News
30 October 2007
Updated: 08:43, Tuesday October 30, 2007
Gerry and Kate McCann used money from the Madeleine Fund to pay for their mortgage, the family's spokesman has confirmed.
At least two mortgage payments had been paid from the fund, which was set up to help find the couple's daughter and support the family.
But the McCanns decided not to use the money for personal payments after they were made suspects by Portuguese police.
Clarence Mitchell said: "The fund has always had the ability to assist the family financially if necessary, and they've only used it to pay for two mortgage payments earlier this year.
"When they were made arguido, it stopped, which was a mutual decision on the part of the fund and the McCanns - they were happy to accept that their changed status meant they were no longer entitled to that assistance."
The Find Madeleine Fund has attracted more than £1m in public donations to help find Madeleine McCann.
The use of donations had previously been called into question after it was revealed about a third of the money had been used to meet the McCanns' living costs, publicity fees and to pay staff.
But the family defended the fund, saying they would not use it for their legal fees.
Mr Mitchell, recently appointed as the family's PR spokesman, said he would not be paid from the Find Madeleine Fund but from "private financial backers" to the McCanns.
While Kate McCann is unlikely to return to her job as a part-time GP, Gerry McCann will return to his work as a consultant, a move likely to help ease the financial pressure.
McCanns used fund to pay mortgage BBC News (Link)
30 October 2007
Last Updated: Tuesday, 30 October 2007, 09:39 GMT
The fighting fund set up to help find Madeleine McCann was used by her parents to make two mortgage payments, their spokesman has said.
Clarence Mitchell said: "The fund has always had the ability to assist the family financially if necessary."
He said Kate and Gerry McCann stopped using the fund in September when they were made formal suspects in the case.
Four-year-old Madeleine, from Rothley, Leicestershire, vanished from her holiday apartment in Portugal on 3 May.
On Saturday, her family will hold a church service to mark six months since she was last seen in the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz.
Mr McCann wrote in his latest internet diary entry: "We will be marking this milestone very quietly with an ecumenical prayer service for Madeleine and other missing children in the local Anglican church."
'Changed status'
According to the Find Madeleine website, the fund has so far received more than £1million in donations.
At its launch, Madeleine's uncle John McCann said: "This fund will be a vehicle to help our family get our darling, wee niece back."
Mr Mitchell said Mr and Mrs McCann began using it earlier this year to help pay their mortgage.
"When they were made arguido [suspects], it stopped, which was a mutual decision on the part of the fund and the McCanns," he said.
"They were happy to accept that their changed status meant they were no longer entitled to that assistance."
Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that Mr McCann, 39, will return to his job as a consultant cardiologist at Leicester's Glenfield Hospital on Thursday.
It is understood he will initially work three half-days each week and will not have any direct contact with patients until his employers feel he is ready.
He and Mrs McCann, 39, who is a GP, have been on unpaid leave since Madeleine disappeared.
Elsewhere, it has been reported that private investigators from the Spanish detective agency hired by the McCanns have found another blonde girl who they believe has been kidnapped.
Sources at the Metodo 3 agency reportedly claim Interpol is investigating the discovery of the girl living in the Rif mountains in northern Morocco.
The Daily Mirror newspaper also claimed that the new Portuguese officer leading the hunt for Madeleine, Paulo Rebelo, spent three hours examining the McCanns' holiday apartment on Monday.
Listen to Clarence Mitchell speaking to BBC News
Clarence Mitchell states that two mortgage payments were made from Madeleine's Fund, for the months of July and August, amounting to around £4,000.
McCanns used Madeleine fund to pay mortgage Guardian Link
Fred Attewill and agencies
Tuesday October 30 2007
Madeleine McCann's parents used the £1m fund set up to help find her to pay their mortgage, it has been confirmed.
Gerry and Kate McCann, who have been on unpaid leave since Madeleine disappeared almost six months ago, used the money to make two mortgage payments on their home in Leicestershire.
Clarence Mitchell, the family's official spokesman, said: "The fund has always had the ability to assist the family financially if necessary, and they've only used it to pay for two mortgage payments earlier this year.
"When they were made arguido [official suspects], it stopped, which was a mutual decision on the part of the fund and the McCanns - they were happy to accept that their changed status meant they were no longer entitled to that assistance."
On the Find Madeleine website, the fund lists one of its purposes as to "support the family".
It has also emerged that Portuguese police have staged a re-enactment of how a possible abductor could have taken Madeleine from the family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz on May 3.
The detective in charge of the case, Paulo Rebelo, was yesterday photographed at the flat examining the scene with colleagues.
Mr Mitchell said Mr and Mrs McCann welcomed the renewed focus on the theory that their daughter was abducted.
Mr Mitchell yesterday also issued a statement on behalf of friends of the McCanns who were on holiday with them at the resort, denying they have entered into a "pact of silence" to protect the couple.
The so-called "tapas seven", who had dinner with the McCanns on the night their daughter vanished, have been the subject of media reports suggesting they are withholding vital clues from police.
The friends said: "We wish to state that there is categorically no 'pact of silence' or indeed anything secretive between us - just the desire to assist the search for Madeleine.
"This is reflected in us saying and doing nothing that could in any way hinder the investigations now under way."
Mr McCann is due to return to work as a consultant cardiologist at Glenfield hospital in Leicester on Thursday.
Row as McCanns use £1million Madeleine fund to pay their mortgage
Daily Mail Link
By VANESSA ALLEN
Last updated at 16:21pm on 30th October 2007
Kate and Gerry McCann have used the £1million Find Madeleine fund to pay their mortgage, it was revealed yesterday.
Fund organisers refused to say how much had been spent but confirmed that money donated by the public was made available for the family's living expenses.
Neither has worked since Madeleine vanished on May 3, although Mr McCann is due to return to his £75,000-a-year post as a hospital consultant this week.
Mortgage repayments on the couple's £500,000 detached home in Rothley, Leicestershire, are believed to be £2,000 a month.
The Find Madeleine fund, which has received more than £1.09million in donations from all over the world, was set up primarily to fund a publicity campaign after the little girl vanished on May 3.
It also met legal fees involved in setting up the not-for-profit business, which does not have charitable status.
But the fund's directors - who include colleagues, friends and relatives of the McCanns - ruled that they cannot use it to pay the legal team defending them against Portuguese allegations that they were involved in Madeleine's disappearance.
That has been met by a separate fund, using donations from wealthy benefactors including Sir Richard Branson.
The salary of the McCanns' spokesman Clarence Mitchell is paid by another millionaire, double-glazing tycoon Brian Kennedy.
But the Find Madeleine fund has paid for other staff, including former campaign manager Justine McGuinness.
In the weeks after Madeleine's disappearance it paid for her parents' campaign trips to Madrid, Amsterdam, Berlin, Washington DC and the Moroccan capital, Rabat.
It was revealed last month that about £300,000 had been spent, and a further £80,000 was paid out this month for a new publicity campaign in Portugal, Spain and Morocco.
Donations have slowed dramatically, however, since the McCanns, both 39, were made official suspects in the case.
Exact details of where the money has gone will not be disclosed until the end of the financial year when the accounts are made public.
Fund officials said an administrator has been appointed to ensure "the highest standards of transparency and accountability".
Mr Mitchell said last night: "The fund exists to support Kate and Gerry where their living costs would become difficult.
"Gerry is going back to work this week and they hope they will not have to rely on it for their living costs for much longer."
The McCanns have said any surplus money from the fund would be given to charities to help families of other missing children.
Friends of the McCanns have said they are anxious to keep the fund's money for the campaign to find Madeleine.
They denied Mr McCann was returning to work for financial reasons, insisting he wanted to regain a "sense of normality".
He has been on unpaid leave and his wife, a part-time GP, has not been paid while she has been off work.
It is understood that Mr McCann will initially work three half-days a week at Leicester's Glenfields Hospital and will not have any direct contact with patients until his employers believe he is ready.
His return has been approved by the General Medical Council, which regulates the medical profession, but a senior heart specialist warned last night that it could put patients' lives at risk.
The consultant, who did not wish to be named, asked: "How will he be able to concentrate on his work with his daughter missing? It is a high-pressure job and you have to make difficult decisions.
"I can tell you from personal experience that if your mind is not totally on it, it is hard.
"If he is going to be doing procedures where you have to totally focus, the only way you can do it is compartmentalise and if you can't do it, it could be very difficult. He could break down and make a mistake."
The group Patient Concern said Mr McCann should be monitored for at least three months and the public should be able to choose not to be treated by him.
Director Roger Goss said: "It's a good idea he is allowed back, but he should be monitored to ensure he is all right.
"Patients should be allowed the option of not being treated by him while the case has such a high profile. I know it sounds discriminatory but it is not unreasonable."
McCanns defend using public fund to pay mortgage Reuters
By Andrew Hough
Tue Oct 30, 2007 4:59pm GMT
LONDON (Reuters) - The parents of missing Madeleine McCann repaid two instalments of their mortgage with money from the fund set up to help find her, their spokesman confirmed on Tuesday.
But Kate and Gerry McCann stopped taking money from the one million pound "Find Madeleine" fund after they were made official suspects, Clarence Mitchell said.
He was speaking after media reports on Tuesday that the couple made two 2,000-pound repayments on their 460,000-pound detached house in Rothley, Leicestershire with fund money.
He confirmed the couple made two repayments in July and August, but defended their motives.
The primary objective of the fund, a not-for-profit company, was to help efforts to find Madeleine, but it can also provide financial support for her parents to cope with the stress, he said.
The couple have not worked since the young girl disappeared in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in May, just before her fourth birthday.
Mitchell said once they were made official suspects in the case, they stopped using the fund for mortgage repayments.
It was a mutual decision with the fund, after they conceded they would not be entitled to the money, he said.
Mitchell confirmed that because of their financial predicament, Gerry McCann, 39, will return to work as a consultant cardiologist at Glenfield Hospital in Leicester on Thursday.
It remains unclear what his wife, also 39, will do after reports said she was unlikely return to work as a locum GP.
"Gerry is about to go back to work quite soon and his financial position will improve on a personal level and hopefully they won't need to ask the fund for any further assistance in future," Mitchell told Sky News.
"But I do hope that people who have contributed to it do understand that their monies are being channelled towards finding Madeleine in every form and part of that is to help the family cope in this time of stress.
"How would you feel, losing your child and then potentially losing your house on top of that?"
The six-month anniversary since Madeleine went missing falls on Saturday and Mitchell said the couple would be attending a church service in their home town.
"It will be a quiet day, quite low key with a number of religious services," he said. "As Gerry often says to me: it is just another day without Madeleine."
With thanks to Nigel at McCann Files
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