Shocked!!!

[wilma-bride]

Taken from AOL news:

McCanns use money from fund to pay mortgage

The fund set up to support the search for Madeleine McCann was used by her parents to make two mortgage payments, it has emerged.

Gerry and Kate McCann's spokesman confirmed that money sent to help their efforts to find their missing daughter had been used for their housing costs.

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.

Am I the only one who finds this questionable??? While I appreciate that the funds have the ability to assist the family, I cannot believe that money donated by wellwishers to help find their daughter has been used in this way

 

[carolfoy]

I read about this yesterday Joh and I totally agree, I wonder if the big people like Branson regret funding them?
I could see it coming to be honest as they've put so much time into their media campaign that theres no way they can be working full time at the moment

 

[stitch&ariel]

I totally agree I think this is wrong, if I had donated money like a huge number of people have I would be upset

 

[natalielongstaff]

its shocking but not surprising !

 

[Madjock]

I'm sorry but I don't see what the furore is about. This couple have put their lives on hold since their daughter disappeared which is understandable but unfortunately, no matter what the circumstances, bills don't go away and still need to be paid. Obviously they haven't been working and obviously there is only so much savings (unless you're one of the mega rich) so how else are they going to pay their bills whilst they are unable to return to a normal life? Can you imagine having to worry about the bills during such an awful time? Yes I am one of those who donated money and no it doesn't bother me that my contributions may have been used in such a way because if it gives this couple one less thing to stress about during this horrendous time then that's fine by me. When you offer to help someone during difficult times it doesn't, or at least it shouldn't, come with any stipulations on how that help is employed.

 

[DisneyJo]

I agree with you Joh no way should the money be used for their mortgage payments, it was given to them to aid the search for their daughter, yes I totally understand that bills still need to be paid but most companies would allow them to pay these at a later date!

 

[budicesi]

Well Im with Madjock on this. They are putting a great deal of time and effort into this and I thin kits great they have been able to call on this money to help them when they are stuck. Yes the money is to help find their daughter but they also have two other children to look after. I can't believe people would think that to use a small amount of money to make two mortgage payments is wrong.

They have both been on unpaid leave from work since this happened. They are both doctors and I know that the father could have probably gone on the sick (stress) and been paid full pay for six months. If this had happened would you complain that as a tax payer you were not happy he is being paid whilst been off in Portugal!!!

 

[wilma-bride]

Not wanting to start an argument but for those of you who don't care about the money being used for their mortgage and bills, will you feel the same if it turns out they 'did' have something to do with her disappearance

 

[Madjock]

My answer is yes, I will feel the same! At the end of the day, the money and how it’s used to help is neither here nor there. If this couple had something to do with it then money is the least that matters, it would be yet another very sad day for humanity.

Would this stop me from offering help again? No, absolutely not!

 

[budicesi]

This is just a hypothetical(sp?) question and would raise lots more arguments and would have massive consiquences if this sort of thing happened again. So for the sake of not wanting to raise and argue about something that may have or may not have happened I will leave it there.

 

[CustardTart]

I'm not shocked, just sad there's been no resolution. I particularly feel for the twins - I hope the family can ensure their upbringing isn't permanently overshadowed by this tragedy...

Does anyone know if other families in the same situation following the disappearance of a child are entitled to access the fund - or is it just for the McCanns?

 

[T16GEM]

To be perfectly honest I don't really have a problem with it, I think that the main point is that they concentrate on looking for Madeleine and the money shouldn't come into it. At the end of the day the fund is there to help with that and I think it should be used for any means necessary. I would rather them use it to pay their mortgage than see them out on the street with twins to look after in the situation that they are in.

 

[Joanne UK]

I'm not shocked, just sad there's been no resolution. I particularly feel for the twins - I hope the family can ensure their upbringing isn't permanently overshadowed by this tragedy...

Does anyone know if other families in the same situation following the disappearance of a child are entitled to access the fund - or is it just for the McCanns?

The money is just for the McCanns.

They made 2 mortgage payments using money from the fund in July and August but haven't dipped into it for their own use since they were made suspects in early September. They wanted to use it to pay for their legal fees but this was vetoed by the trustees. They've got some rich supporters though, namely Brian Kennedy - it was his house that they did the interview in for Spanish television last week.

 

[emily1982]

I don't have a problem with it either...they've lost their child (and no-one has been found guilty yet) so you want them to loose their house to?

 

[jtlover]

The only thing I would say on this is that none of us are in this situation so it is easy for everyone to make judgement!

I cant imagine what it must be like living with the nightmare everyday

 

[Goofyish]

I don't see what the problem is either

The fund is controlled independently by trusties and in the trust rules there is provision for financial help for the McCanns. The morgage payments were stopped as soon as the McCanns were made suspects.

The fund is worth well over a £Million. The McCanns were given about £4000 to help with their mortgage payments over a couple of months.

 

[Goofysmate]

The money donated should only go on looking for their daughter.
Because at the end of the day they only have themsleves to blame for leaving her.
I think that thier own familes should help them out with paying the bill not the public.
I'm sorry if this offend's other but it's the way it is.

 

[Tinker74]

I don't have a problem with it either...they've lost their child (and no-one has been found guilty yet) so you want them to loose their house to?

I agree Emily....I find it shocking that people won't leave these poor mccanns alone...FGS..they've lost their daughter..they are living in hell..I donated money to help them in ANY way..including any living expenses...Those poor poor people..
Iam totally and utterly covinced that they have nothing at all to do with their daughters disaperance...Iam appalled that a lot of people seem to disagree...I just don't get it

 

[Tammy Stringer]

The only thing I would say on this is that none of us are in this situation so it is easy for everyone to make judgement!

I cant imagine what it must be like living with the nightmare everyday

I agree with this and Madjock's sentiments. Yes they made an horrific lapse of judgment by leaving their children alone that fateful night - but haven't they paid for it every second since?

I believe they should be treated as innocent until found guilty and I hope and pray that one day this tragedy will be over and that Madeleine will be found safe and well

Tammy

 

[Tinker74]

I agree with this and Madjock's sentiments. Yes they made an horrific lapse of judgment by leaving their children alone that fateful night - but haven't they paid for it every second since?

I believe they should be treated as innocent until found guilty and I hope and pray that one day this tragedy will be over and that Madeleine will be found safe and well

Tammy

Agree Tammy...well said.