Dear Friends
How that statement resonates with me!
Ali and Team Rainback certainly had that in abundance!
We were so lucky that Dr Ros Taylor was able to provide a bed for Ali in Hospice of St Francis when he needed it and enabled him to stay in that safe and comfortable environment for 7 weeks until the end of his life.
Not everyone is as fortunate as beds are not always available, and there is a shortage anyway, and that cannot be right. We should all be allowed access to a Hospice whether for pain relief, symptom control and respite care or to allow us to end our days with grace and dignity in a peaceful place.
Those of you who were able to visit HOSF will know what a special place it is. The beautiful buildings set in lovely gardens, the dedicated professionals giving such wonderful palliative treatment, the loving care from the nursing staff and the marvellous food from the chef all backed up by a huge number of volunteers all help to provide a calm sanctuary.
The Hospice of St Francis is an independent charity that provides free, specialist and professional support and care for people with terminal illness but will receive only 22 per cent of their running costs (£3.5 million) from the NHS leaving a massive amount to be raised annually.
We owe such a debt of gratitude to everyone at HOSF for everything so freely given that we have made the commitment to raise £100,000 in Ali’s name to open another bed.
To achieve that target we need you to give generously and fund raise energetically so that others too may benefit at a time when they most need it.
We thank you and hope that you will do all in your power to spread the word about the wonderful holistic care given in Hospices and in particular The Hospice of St Francis, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire.
On line giving: http://www.justgiving.com/alirainback
Or please send donations to:
Hospice of St Francis
Spring Garden Lane
off Shootersway
Northchurch
Berkhamsted
Herts HP4 3GW and write Ali Rainback Fund on the back of the cheque
Thank you
Love
Team Rainback
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
+of+Ski+School+of+the+Year+2005+Party+008.jpg)
21 comments:
Dear Team,
I think it's awsome that you have committed to raise £100,000 and open a bed in Ali's name. With the huge following this blog has generated that should be easily reached - the counter is at over 65,000 hits.
Jo and I will be there on Friday to support you all and to celebrate Ali's life and achievements. See you all then.
With love David and Jo
Fantastic.
We will all support the fund raising and do our upmost to reach the target. I new that some amazing things would be triggered through Ali's illness. Ali will continue to inspire the good in all of us for ever and a day,"what a bloke". Well done Team Rainback for being so motivated and caring in this very difficult time. You truly are an inspiration to us all, thankyou.
We hope you are all being cared for by family and friends.
Love Carolyn.
It was with great sadness that I learnt that your beloved Ali had recently passed away. The fortitude and personal courage he showed in the face of adversity was a fine example to everyone who knew him. The trust you have set up in his memory will serve as a fitting legacy
Hello Team Rainback,
I think it is wonderful that you want to honour and remember Ali in this way and I think we should make a date for an "Ali Rainback Charity Day" where everyone could do something, be it as a group or individuals from all around the world, to help raise funds for this wonderful cause. One thing is for sure Ali will not be forgotten and he is at peace but he never was any good at resting. Take care all,
Russ, Belle, Cara & Ava xxxx
Hi Team Rainback,
I miss telling Ali what's been going on, just stupid little things which I wouldn't have thought of telling many people before the blog but have got used to sharing.
For instance on Thursday I baked a scone mountain because we had a fund raising lunch for Little Haven Children's Hospice at work. We didn't raise masses but every little helps. We've agreed the next one will be for HOSF. We're also doing a dress down day at work. We do these on the last Friday of every month in the head office. Everyone pays a quid and they can wear jeans etc. I have one booked for some time in 2009 - all of the rest of this year was already taken. Again, it won't be much, but it's something.
My husband and I have spent loads more decent time together this week - we realised how the days just slip by and eventually you lose the people you love, so we wanted to start making the most of every minute we have left. It would have taken us longer to get around to realising it and doing something about it if it wasn't for Ali.
I also wanted to let you, Team Rainback know that we haven't forgotten you either, just because Ali is gone. So, I typed messages and deleted them several times because I didn't want anyone to think I'd taken Ali's passing lightly and I desperately didn't want to offend anyone but I wanted to keep open what Ali had given us when he started his blog.
Anyway, I figured I'd post the message this time because I suspect there's others who are still looking at the blog too and have got used to thinking "that made me smile - I'll share it."
Ali, you were amazing and you continue to inspire.
Lots of love
J-A
Dear Team Rainback,
We are so sad that we may not be able to celebrate Ali's life with you on Friday - our son is having an operation - but if one of us can be there, we definitely will be. We would love to support the fundraising though, now and into the future. Julie & Mark Baker
Hi there to Team Rainback
It is with the greatest sadness that I have returned from the north of Musa Qual Eh, after some 10 weeks, to Camp Bastion in Helmand to the news received by post of Ali's passing.
What a guy, what a group of people you all are to show such true compassion, courage, dignity and love at such a difficult time. You really are all truly special people, may I extend my deepest sympathies to you all.
The blog is an absolutely moving treasure and your idea to raise funds for a new bed for your hospice will be a truly great and lasting legacy to the memory of Ali.
Thanks for sharing it with us all -Chris Watts - Helmand,Afghanistan.
(Formerly of Bonne Neige Ski, Meribel)
Rest in peace Ali, you will always be missed and never forgotten
Dear Team Rainback
i feel very frustrated because i won't be able to be wih you on friday but i will send some good vibrations to all of you.
i will be with you by thought.
i wanted to thank all of you for all the efforts you've done to keep posting Ali's news.
he was always in my thought whatever i was doing,skiing, gardenning, enjoying the sun shine...
Jeanette, i hve said that for a millions of time already but our house in correncon will always be open to welcome you or anybody who wants to rest for a while.
it s a great place.
i know it will be a great funeral celebration on friday.
with all my love and Martin one.
gaelle et martin
I'm still logging in every day - it's become a habit that I don't want to give up, and it's lovely to see Ali's smiling, happy face in the photos. He may now be gone but he leaves behind so many happy memories for his family and friends.
I don't think people always know what to say that can give you any relief at this time, but I hope that it's a comfort to know that you are still very much in our thoughts and prayers. You have shown such strength in adversity, and so much love - Ali wanted for nothing in his final weeks.
I hope your final goodbye to Ali on Friday will be a wonderful celebration of all his achievements in life, and a great occasion in bringing all his good friends together in rememberance of a very special man.
Our love goes out to you all Team Rainback. xx
Team Rainback
I reiterate J-A's comments, I have started writing about half a dozen notes in the past week, but keep on deleting them as I find it hard to send them.
Now that this time is upon you, you need the support from Ali's friends just as much. So I will endeavour to continue logging on regularly and seeing if there is anything that you require that I could possibly do. Please ask.
As for Friday I am really frustrated too that I can't get there to celebrate the 'Legend's' life.
From personal experience you need to try and remember to enjoy what you can at such a difficult time, as I know that Ali would want to be remembered for all the good points he and us have enjoyed together.
His life was cut short, but he squeezed more into his 36 years than the bible would have imagined many of those who get to 3 score years and 10 would ever do!
Best wishes and thinking of you all
Regards
Danny G
Hi Team Rainback
We think that is a fantastic idea to raise this money and we will do our bit to help.
We will both be there on Friday to say goodbye to Ali.
Lots of Love
Cat and Dave Brooke
This is something I am more than happy to support in Ali's memory and his life can only serve as an inspiration to us all.
After my mum died a couple of years back, whilst by her bed shortly after her passing, my father turned to me and said that she looked wonderfull, relaxed and at last free of her Parkinsons desease and finally at peace.
I hope in some way Ali is now free of his terrible desease and truely at peace.
My thoughts are with you all at this time
Hugh Pelling
I speak with you most days, and you know that our thoughts are with you all but after reading today I am compelled to write too., Its a kind of therapy I guess, all the things I want to say have been said a thousand times before on these pages. We cant be with you on Friday but we will be thinking of you all and remembering Ali here, together. The boys have been fantastic, they make me smile and laugh every day and I know that Ali will be following them and enjoying them too. With all our love as ever, J & J xxxxx
We will be supporting you in your quest to reach the target for 'Ali's Bed'. It has been a very emotional experience reading his blog and you must be very proud of how Ali has influenced and touched so many people. Our thoughts are with you. Stay strong team Rainback. Sos, Sarah and Harry
I never knew Ali personally but knew of his reputation in the ski-ing circle and knew what an amazing and inspirational instructor he was.
I was very shocked to hear the awful news of what happened to Ali.
Team Rainback sound an amazing bunch of people full of courage, strength and bravery.
It is so hard to know what to say really, but I send you my best wishes and sympathy. Even that seems so little.
I have donated a wee bit of money to the hospice so hope that helps.
Love to you all.
AR XXX
Ali was a fantastic person with the most decent of souls.
He will be so sorely missed by so many people. I will always remember his amazing courage and tenacity.
Huge admiration goes to all of team Rainback including the wider group of committed friends who continued to visit Ali. You did such good.
Goodbye Ali - it was such a great pleasure to know you.
Dear Team Rainback
It was a priviliege to have known Ali. A terrfic guy - inspirational and courageous, with a huge personality and great sense of humour. We will always have fond memories of him.
Our thoughts are very much with you.
The Dents
To team Rainback, you continue to inspire me with your warmth, focus, strength and love. I think of you often at this most difficult of times.
On Sunday the 22nd I stopped on my way through Luzern and lit two candles. One for my Mum and one for Ali. I asked that Ali not be suffering and I couldn't have known that at the time, but soon afterwards the headaches and suffering were over.
I am so sad that Ali has gone, but am so pleased that I had the chance to know him, be inspired by him, be encouraged to be the best I can be, and all that while being made to laugh long and loud until I cry. Thank you Ali.
Last week I was on the train to Milan and as I watched the world passing by outside the window I thought about Ali and I felt sad again and sad that he wouldn't see new things and explore any more new places and experiences. And then I realised that was silly. Because not only would that not be what Ali would want, but also because while we carry Ali in our hearts he will always see what we see, travel with us, and go forward through us. His life goes forward through all of us who have been touched by him and who will remember him. Now a candle also burns in Milan for Ali.
I missed texting Ali during the European Championships, but he will already know that I tipped well in the league at work. And because I tipped Spain to win at the beginning I won the league! None of the men here are happy about being beaten by a girl (especially the Italian ones) but Ali I'm sure is appreciating the moment. My football winnings will be going to the perfect place, which will be to Ali's HOSF fund.
Bye Ali, it was memorable, fun and fabulous to know you. Don't forget to come and give me a push in Dublin!
Michelle x
Dear Team Rainback,
We are unable to attend Ali's funeral on friday but you will all be very much in our thoughts.
With love from Karen, Daff, Jack and Toby
Hi Team Rainback,
Sadly We are unable to be with you on friday, I was hoping to get there, but circumstances have conspired agaisnt me. I will however go in to our local church and light a candle and say a prayer after school on friday. I also think the target to raise £100,000 is brilliant and just the sort of thing that Ali would want to happen. We are thinking of you all every day still and I also still log on to see what else is possible for us to do.
You are all truly an inspiration, Ali will always be remembered for his indomitable spirit and also his amazing 'Team Rainback'
Lesley, Steve and yogibear
I didnt know Ali very well but he and Jeanette were invited to eat together in our restaurant, sadly time was too short for Ali and I never had the pleasure of welcoming him.
Should there be a suitable event, evening or other fund raising idea that could be held in the restaurant then I would like to do that and it would be an honour to try to help you to acheive your goal for Alis memorial fund.
Treacle x
Post a Comment