Richard Branson, chairman of Virgin Group, pledged $200,000 on Sunday to help the British couple declared suspects in the disappearance of their young daughter to clear their name, a spokeswoman said. Branson has also contacted several other wealthy Britons to encourage them to contribute to a legal defense fund for Kate and Gerry McCann, a spokeswoman said. "If he can help a little bit to take the burden off the family and extended family in this small way, then that's all to the good," the spokesman said, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with Virgin practice.Branson had already contributed to a $2 million fund set up to help find Madeleine. "When the McCanns made it known that under no circumstances would they touch the Find Madeleine fund, and discussed selling their house, Richard felt something had to be done," Branson's spokeswoman said. (CNN)
