Maddie's aunt gives birthday present to charity

Apr 27 2008

Madeleine: Our Year Of Pain

MADELEINE'S aunt has admitted she is dreading the missing girl's fifth birthday.

Philomena and the rest of the McCann family bought presents for Maddie last year.

But she has revealed she gave her unopened gift away.

There will be no presents this year on May 12 and parents Kate and Gerry are expected to make a public appeal for her safe return.

Philomena bought the youngster a Scooby-Doo bike last year and wrapped it ready for her return from Portugal.

But months later she could no longer look at the gift and donated it to charity.

Teacher Philomena, of Ullapool, said: "I couldn't stand it sitting there in my kitchen any longer.

"Madeleine's birthday will be hard - it's another emotional landmark the family has to endure."

Last year Kate and Gerry marked Madeleine's birthday with a fresh appeal. In Glasgow, relatives joined 60,000 fans at a match between Celtic and Aberdeen to remember her.

Maddie's parents also sent Sean and Amelie a card from their big sister on the twins' third birthday.