Madeleine McCann’s parents mark her 15th birthday with cards and presents

It's hard to believe that Madeleine McCann has been missing for 11 years - and would now be a teenager.

And on Saturday May 12 - her 15th birthday - her parents Gerry and Kate laid presents and cards in their daughter's bedroom, hoping that one day she will be found. They also sang happy birthday and had a cake at their home in Leicestershire. Maddie's pink bedroom has become a shrine and remains unchanged since she disappeared during a family holiday with her younger twin siblings and parents in Portugal 11 years ago. Maddie’s great-uncle Brian Kennedy this week told Mirror.co.uk: "It would be lovely to have a celebration one day. We never lose hope." Also on Saturday on the official Find Madeleine McCann Facebook page, an image was posted with the message:

"Happy 15th birthday, Madeleine! We love you and we're waiting for you and we're never going to give up."

Previously, Kate has said: "I do all the present buying. I think about what age she is and buy something that, whenever we find her, will still be appropriate so there’s a lot of thought goes into it." She referred to the birthday of her eldest child as a "difficult time because that’s when you really feel her absence". Earlier this month, on the 11th anniversary of the disappearance, Gerry and Kate posted on Facebook:

"It gets harder to know what to say or write as each anniversary of Madeleine’s abduction approaches then passes. Life is full and busy which helps but Madeleine is still missing and she is still dearly missed. "Information continues to come in (incredible as it may seem after so long, although we are grateful for that) and work goes on. Perseverance and hope remain. "Thank you to everyone who continues to support us and wish us, especially Madeleine, well. After eleven years such warmth and persisting solidarity is truly remarkable, and at the same time a real tonic and boost to our spirit. "We couldn’t bear for Madeleine to be forgotten or to become just a 'story'. She is a real person and still our 'little girl' and as we always have, we will endeavour to do whatever it takes to find her. Thank you so much for staying with us on this mission.