Viv Ellis reports on an incredible fundraising journey

Alice’s Youth Music fund - set up in memory of the talented Hanwell teenager, Alice Gross, now stands at a staggering £48,000.

Alice's mum, Ros Hodgkiss who has been behind the fundraising says she is not stopping.

 “We hope to tip it over the £50,000 mark shortly” says Ros, “we’ve been absolutely amazed by the support we have received from so many people”. 

Ros’s own efforts along with her daughter Nina, have been inspiring to say the least.

“I’ve run the 8 mile Kingston Breakfast run, the Osterley 10k and I am about to stagger through the Ealing half marathon”. 

These are just some of the fund raising events to date.

• ·      *Forecast Academy organised ‘A Concert for Alice’ featuring  Laura Mvula and other performers.

• ·      *The Grosvenor pub organised Alice’s Wonderbands, an evening of local talent.

• ·      *Hanwell Carnival dedicated their acoustic tent to young musicians.

• ·      *The Shamrock Sports and Social club raised money via a family run day.

• ·     * Friends of Boston Manor organised a memorial walk and music family picnic.

• ·      *Both Alice’s schools, Brentside and Mayfield,  have raised money through dedicated performing arts performances.

• ·      *Alice’s violin teacher organised a Coach House Company gig at the Drayton,  featuring young violinists playing jigs and reels.

 “With the help of family and friends, Nina and I have run stalls at Boston Manor Park, Hanwell Carnival and the Brentford Festival, with raffles featuring generous donations from so many people.  And Nina has been teaching children to finger knit and crotchet, and selling hand made Alice-bands.”says Ros.

“We have had very generous offers, including  a dinner dance, further concerts and further association with Ealing Half Marathon and the Osterley Winter 10k,

“I have been supported by many people in the local community”, said Ros,  “there are too many individuals to mention everyone but I would like to flag up Ealing and South Middlesex A.C. which has offered consistent support and training for the half marathon.”

Some of the funds Ros has raised have gone to the charity Missing People.

“Missing People is a charity close to our hearts, as they were so supportive both while Alice was missing and after she was found. They organise an annual Christmas carol concert in which they remember those who are missing, in which I am participating.”

Ros, Nina, Gillian Arundell and Berni Jennings raised more than £10,000 for Missing People by walking 50km of the Thames Towpath Challenge last weekend.

Ros says : '' I hope that Alice’s fund will make a difference to the lives of  disadvantaged young people.  Alice would have wanted us to keep on going, trying, helping others, finding some relief in small moments, despite the hideous and overwhelming sense of loss.  That thought, above all else, drives me.''

For the latter two events other wonderful people have also raised money for Alice’s Youth Music Memorial Fund.  To date, sponsorship for the half marathon collectively stands at just over £2000, but I am hoping to boost that significantly in the last weeks leading up to and the weeks after the event on 27th September.  There will be a youth music presence at the finish to the half marathon, and we hope that people will sponsor the participants who are running on behalf of Alice’s charity.''

17th September 2015