Madeleine McCann's parents 'still believe in miracles' in poignant post as her 18th birthday approaches

MADELINE McCann's mum and dad say they "still believe in miracles" in a poignant post – as the missing girl's 18th birthday approaches.

Kate and Gerry, both 53, haven't given up hope almost 14 years after Madeleine disappeared in the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz on May 3, 2007.

She was just three when she vanished.

In a post on the Official Find Madeleine Campaign Facebook page, her mum and dad, of Rothley, Leics, said: “Never stop believing in hope because miracles happen every day.

"Want to send a heartfelt thank you to all who continue to be by our side.”

German police say they have proof that Madeleine is dead – although the case is still being treated as a missing persons inquiry by UK cops.

And Kate and Gerry believe their daughter could still be alive.

She would turn 18 on May 12.

Convicted paedophile Christian B, 44, was identified as a suspect in the Madeleine case by German police last June.

He is currently in jail for the rape of a 72-year-old in Praia da Luz – where Madeleine vanished from her family's holiday apartment.

A fortnight ago, German prosecutors said they "remain optimistic" they will solve the mystery.

Hans Christian Wolters said an investigation into the prime suspect is running "at full speed".

Wolters also hopes a new TV documentary will help unearth more clues, the Sunday Mirror reports. 

He told the newspaper: "Even if the public does not notice it much, our investigations in the Maddie case continue to run at full speed.

"We still assume the accused, Christian B, killed Madeleine.

"Even though the investigation of a case that will be 14 years old in a few days is very difficult after all this time, we remain optimistic and hopeful that we will be able to solve the crime.

"In doing so, we continue to work closely with the Metropolitan Police and the Portuguese law enforcement authorities, regardless of Brexit."

But a lawyer for Christian B has repeatedly called for police to show their evidence – and vowed his client will never face trial over Madeleine.

The operation to find her has cost more than £12.5million since 2011.

Met Police chiefs have requested more funding in a bid to find vital evidence that could snare their main suspect.

Scotland Yard's special grant from the Home Office is set to expire this month, but bosses hope to be given further cash to continue investigating Christian B for another year.

A summit between British, German and Portuguese detectives is due to be held in Lisbon in the next two months.

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