Grey matters

Wednesday 2 July 2008

Dear Friends,

For those of you in the Alps who can't make it to the UK on Friday, there will be a gathering to remember and celebrate Ali's life at La Boulotte (ex-Maracas), in Courchevel 1650 at 15.45 on Friday 4th July.

With love,

Team Rainback x

37 comments:

Anonymous said...: Dear Rainback Family and Janette,

I would like to tell you that you have all impressed me about all the great help and support you have done to Ali.
I would like in my turn, try to help you for going trough this very difficult time with my thoughts.
Even Ali is not here anymore, he will stay for ever in my heart.
I won't be able to be in Courchevel on Friday but I will light on a candle for you and Ali on Friday.
Please accept my deepest sympathy.
Laurent from Annecy; 2 July 2008 at 20:52
Anonymous said...: Dear team rainback, and jeanette,

as i said before, i feel extremly frustrated because i won't be able to be either in England or Courchevel on friday but you will all be in my heart and my thought this day.
my sister is giving birth soon and i will have to do my best to support her.
i'm sure we will all participate to Ali's last action and donate to the hospice.
he will always have a place in my heart.
i m sure it will be a great celebration.
Martin is sending his love as well.
take care all

gaelle and martin; 3 July 2008 at 06:55
Anonymous said...: Dear all,
It is with much regret that we will be unable to be with you tomorrow to celebrate the life of Ali, who was such a very special person. He and you will be in our thoughts and prayers and we send you all our love.
Sam and Vicky xxx; 3 July 2008 at 07:22
Anonymous said...: Dear team Rainback,
It is with regett that Angus and I will not be able to be with you in person tomorrow.We will be with you in our thoughts ,prayers and in our hearts.We will light a candle in Prague,and Cheshire and drink a toast to Ali who will,I am sure be looking down at all those who will be with you on Friday and all those who will be raising a glass all over the world.
All our love Angus and Lucie xx; 3 July 2008 at 18:09
Anonymous said...: Dear Ali,
From aged 4 when we started Kimpton Primary School you were always smiling and having fun. I will always remember you and your endless energy and laughter.
Keep safe Ali.
Love Abbie x

My thoughts are with you all tomorrow Team Rainback xx; 3 July 2008 at 19:51
Anonymous said...: Dear Team Rainback,
I won't be able to make it down tomorrow but will be thinking of Ali and you all.
Remembering him fondly and sending love to all those who are missing him right now.
Jane Whitham x; 3 July 2008 at 22:05
Anonymous said...: Dear Team Rainback

Thinking of you all tomorrow, while you celebrate and remember Ali for the great person that he was.

With love

Clair and Martin; 3 July 2008 at 22:05
Anonymous said...: Dear Team Rainback

Please accept my sincerest apologies; I am very sad to say that I won't be able to make it tomorrow.

Months ago I volunteered to take a group of kids from my old school on a mountain walk as part of their Geography course. With 40 kids signed up and a coach booked, the school has been unable to find anyone else who is qualified and willing to take my place. So tomorrow I will be climbing the highest mountain in South Wales with a class of 12 year olds.

Somehow being on top of a mountain seems to be a fitting way to remember Ali and my thoughts will be with you all tomorrow. I just wish that I could share all of my amazing memories of him with you all.

There aren't enough words to describe what a brilliant person Ali was, I will be forever grateful for his continuing enthusiasm and support. When Alison and I started our own business, he agreed to be our honorary third partner and have the casting vote should we ever disagree and I will always remember all of the crazy fun times that I had while working with him at New Gen.

All my love
Zoe x; 3 July 2008 at 22:50
Anonymous said...: Team Rainback

Still in Afghanistan, thankfully now in Kandahar and on a slow process of returning home, tour here completed.

Will be thinking of Ali and equally of you all at Ali's celebration of life tomorrow

Remember all the good times to help you through,tomorrow and indeed every day

Chris Watts; 4 July 2008 at 05:39
Anonymous said...: Dear Team Rainback

Sorry we can't be there to celebrate Ali's life with you today. We will be thinking of you all and especially remembering the smiling, mischievous teenage Ali that we knew.

With our love
Jeanette & Tony; 4 July 2008 at 08:33
Anonymous said...: I never had the honur of meeting Ali but I have heard so much about him. Thinking of you all today.; 4 July 2008 at 08:39
Anonymous said...: Dear Team Rainback

I am so sorry that I will be unable to attend today as I am too far away in NZ.
Ali and you have all been in my thoughts today and I lit a candle and said prayers in the Cathedral today in Ali's honour and memory.

With much love
Debbie Newton; 4 July 2008 at 08:54
Anonymous said...: Team Rainback,

Thinking of you all today. I am sorry that I can't be there but will be thinking of you all.

Much love,

Clare Melville; 4 July 2008 at 09:34
Anonymous said...: Dear Team Rainback

Many thanks for the information re Ali’s funeral both in the UK & France.
I’m sorry that I cannot attend as I will be away in Lanzarote preparing for my Second Ironman race for this season.

I hope the day goes well and that Ali is remembered in a way that is truly fitting, he was one of the most positive people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting, skiing with or indeed just knowing.

My thoughts are with you all today. And please do let me know if there is anything I can ever do to help raise funds for Ali’s bed.

Hugh Pelling; 4 July 2008 at 10:05
Anonymous said...: Dear Team Rainback

We were so sorry and saddened to hear of Ali passing away.
I did not know him well but the brief time I spent in his company I was struck by his friendliness, humour, warmness and welcoming to his company. From following this amazing blog and how fondly and lovingly he is spoken about by all at New Gen I realise how true these first impression were and how much more there was to get to know.
Unfortunately we can not be with you today but are thinking of you all and the loss that you in particular and the many many friends that Ali has have suffered.
We wish you all the best and are sure that the strength, determination and humour of you all that radiates from the pages of his blog will get you through the grieving and loss.
Love Rob, Katy, Anna and Dillon Pearson; 4 July 2008 at 10:27
Anonymous said...: Dear Team Rainback and friends,

You are in my thoughts today.

Fiona W.; 4 July 2008 at 10:33
Anonymous said...: Dear Team Rainback,

I will be thinking of you all today. I didn't know Ali personally but knew of his reputation in the ski world - huge reputation and respect!

You are all a truly wonderful family with a huge amount of courage and dignity.

Today I hope there will be some fond memories and laugher in amongst the tears and inevitable pain.

I will be thinking of you all today and in the coming months ahead.

Lots of love,

AR XX; 4 July 2008 at 11:00
Anonymous said...: Like many others I shall be thinking of you all later on this afternoon. Although seperated geographically, I think we shall all be very much together with our thoughts and feelings about Ali and what a fantastic person we were all so lucky to know.
Sally x x x (Whitham).; 4 July 2008 at 11:23
Anonymous said...: Dear Team Rainback

I too just wanted to say that I am thinking of you all today. Although we cannot be there here in Scotland we shall be remembering Ali and thinking of you all this afternoon.

Love

Susannah; 4 July 2008 at 12:04
Anonymous said...: Team Rainback

Thinking of you all today as you celebrate Ali's wonderful life.

With love; 4 July 2008 at 12:19
Anonymous said...: Family commitments keep me from joining you today to say goodbye to Ali and celebrate the wonder of his too short life. I'm happy I met him and shared some joyful times in his company. I'm so sad he's gone and he can't be with all of you who love him so dearly. Dear Team Rainback....my heavy heart is with you all today. Ali, you are a super super guy and I shall miss you.
With love
Cathy Hendry XX; 4 July 2008 at 14:10
Anonymous said...: Unable to make it to Courchevel today to pay my respects and help to celebrate Ali's life, my thoughts were constantly with you all today.
I hope that through the sadness there were smiles, stories and happy memories.

Keep those precious memories close to you, nothing can take them from you.; 4 July 2008 at 19:10
Anonymous said...: Ali was such an inspirational guy.
Thanks for how good you made everyone feel, and your positive nature. We'll ski together again. See ya then.

Stephan from Austria; 4 July 2008 at 20:05
Anonymous said...: Dear Team Rainback,

Thank you for allowing me to be part of yesterday. It was a honour to be there.

The service was beautiful, the hymns, the reflextions of his life, the readings and the fitting song tribute to one of most amazing blokes I have ever had the pleasure to meet.

Love to you all, rest in peace Ali.

Love

Craig xx; 5 July 2008 at 09:27
Anonymous said...: To Team Rainback
Many thanks for the honour of attending yesterday. The service was beautiful. Ali truly was inspirational
Love to you all
Fi x; 5 July 2008 at 10:29
Anonymous said...: I had every intention of joining you yesterday but unfortuanatly the M25 didn't want me to. You were all in my thoughts as I sat in my car and had me own service for Ali. I'm so sorry I could be there.

Kerri Prince; 5 July 2008 at 10:38
Anonymous said...: We were thinking of Ali up north yesterday afternoon. The sun shone and that seemed right. Please anyone who wants to share moments of the service, which hymns you sang, readings, tributes; we'd love to read them on here and remember Ali.
Thinking of him an awful lot, he's definitely still around! Jane W x; 5 July 2008 at 11:14
Jacqui Edwards said...: Team Rainback, Jeanette and all at New Generation, thinking about you all.

The Edwards Family; 5 July 2008 at 11:17
Unknown said...: Dear Rainback Family and Janette,

Yesterday afternoon I climbed a hill near my house and lit a candle at the top for Ali and all the people who are taken from us so early.

As it burnt i thought of Ali and all the good things he has done. You must be very proud.

My thoughts are with you all,

With love,
Zoe Norton; 5 July 2008 at 11:39
Anonymous said...: Dear Team Rainback

We just wanted to say a great big thank you for yesterday. We were honoured to be a part of the day.

The service was beautiful. Si and Nick you were amazing and so composed!! Ali would have been really proud.

We are in awe of how you were all so strong yesterday and gave Ali the send off he wanted and deserved!

We will miss Ali so much. He has left a huge hole. I am grateful for the photo you gave me as he now beams at us from the fridge.

We are already conjuring up some ideas to raise lots of money for Ali and the hospice.

Keep blogging!!

All our Love and ongoing support

Cat and Dave xx; 5 July 2008 at 11:57
J-A said...: Dear Team Rainback,

My Aunty Mary has a photo of my Grandad on the inside of the cupboard door where the tea & coffee live in her kitchen. I always thought it was a strange place to put a photo of someone you loved and missed, until last night when I blue tacked up the picture of Ali on the inside of the door of my tea & coffee cupboard. Every time we open the door, which is many times a day, there he is. No risk of the picture getting lost, or tucked away in a corner where it will get dusty or forgotten. I came downstairs this morning and it had slipped my mind that I'd put the picture up last night, went for the tea bags and there was Ali, in my face. Perfect. Perfect! Thank you so much, so thoughtful.

Yesterday was a wonderful day. Devastatingly sad, (my tears started on the walk from the Memorial Hall to the church and didn't really stop until Ali was driven off in his VW), but amazingly comforting and joyous at the same time. It was absolutely right and honoured Ali, Team Rainback and all of his family and friends.

It was lovely to see Simon again after so long and to meet Jo, so kind and welcoming. We had at least two of the hymns at our wedding, so Gareth and I were reminded of happy times in our life while we were singing for Ali. The strength of the Rainbows showed in Simon's poem and Diana's speech, spot on. Ewan was amazing singing "Something Inside so Strong" and the emotion was evident in every other reading and reflection from people who had known Ali in all stages of his life. Humour was a strong story!

It was really good to meet other people from the blog and see they were just as lovely and funny in reality as on screen, Linz (write the book!), Ewan, Jo and Russ, having the longest chat I've ever had with Miranda from Dacre, finding out it WAS Kirsty McGregor from school, not just someone with the same name and realising I will miss the contact with them all.

When I chatted to Ali on the phone one time months ago he told me how he was really convinced that something good would come out of what was happening to him. Maybe this is what he meant. He’s been a catalyst in creating a new community, changing the way people think, forging new connections, opening our hearts and beginning new friendships. I know that I would love to hear from anyone and would be delighted to help in any way I can with fund raising efforts.

After the service at the church and up at the hall, everywhere I looked people were smiling and laughing. hugging and kissing, memories being refreshed and new ones being made. The picture boards were fabulous, so good to see other parts of his life. I did notice there was a common thread. In every group a grinning Ali is the centre of whatever is happening in the picture, surrounded by his friends.

Team Rainback you have been amazing through out and please know that we are all here for you just as we were for Ali.

Thank you so much for such a memorable day. I sure Ali loved it. I know he was with us.

Lots of love

J-A; 5 July 2008 at 14:18
Elena Spalenza said...: Ciao Team Rainback,
I've received just yesterday a notice about Ali.
I didn't check a blog for the last 2 weeks and I didn't expet a so quick aggravation.
I want share with you this moments and I want remember Ali: his smile, his positive rhought, his energy and his enthusiasm.
Ali will be for ever with us
Ciao Ali I'll miss you...
Elena Spalenza
New Generation Ski Instuctor; 6 July 2008 at 13:08
Elena Spalenza said...: Ciao Team Rainback,
I've received just yesterday a notice about Ali.
I didn't check a blog for the last 2 weeks and I didn't expet a so quick aggravation.
I want share with you this moments and I want remember Ali: his smile, his positive rhought, his energy and his enthusiasm.
Ali will be for ever with us
Ciao Ali I'll miss you...
Elena Spalenza
New Generation Ski Instuctor; 6 July 2008 at 13:08
Anonymous said...: Dear Team Ali,

We are so sorry to hear Ali's very sad news. I am afriad we have only got back from holiday today to log on an read that we have missed Ali's funeral. Our thoughts are with all of Ali's family and of course, Jeanette.

Ali was the very nicest, happiest, generous hearted and out-going man I know. We will miss him very much indeed. We will remember Ali tonight with a toast and celebrate his life.

God bless you Ali, we will never forget you.

All our love, Jack, Jen & Lily Kellard; 6 July 2008 at 14:06
Anonymous said...: here was a lovely gathering in 1650for Ali on friday afternoon and the order of service was there for us to read through as the service in England was taking place. The readings were read out loud and we had a toast for Ali. A lovely way to pay triibute to Ali.

He will never be forgotten.

xx; 6 July 2008 at 19:25
Anonymous said...: Tribal Gathering

As they walk up the hill, they knew there would be many tears. For two weeks they had planned their good byes, but none of them were prepared. A deep sadness settles over each of them, as they walk heads bowed, towards the stone church.

But wait, curiosity gets the better of them – is that really her? Surely not, haven’t seen her in years, has she really travelled all that way to be here? That can’t be him, but yes it is, years have passed but the boy is still visible in the man he has become... As the different tribes converge, all with one purpose, the years fall away as old friends greet each other and friendships are reawakened. From all corners of the man’s life, the groups meet as one – family, neighbours, Kimpton villagers, school friends, skiers, scouts, travelling friends and work colleagues. Some are virtual acquaintances, meeting for the first time.

In the stillness of the church the people gather to pay their respects, huddled together on wooden pews they cannot fail to face the smiling picture of the man, feel the welling of emotion as they see his skis and his coffin.

But this is not all about sadness, it is about remembering a life well led. As Simon stands to speak, a shaft of sunlight pierces the cloud and shines down right where he is standing. His voice is strong and true.

One after the other, the representatives stand to tell of the man’s life. The stories they tell of courage, compassion, humour and mischief each strike a chord with the congregation. The life of the man is recounted in all its many colours, and there are tears, but there is also laughter.

As the congregation sing together they gain strength from each other and emotion fills the small church. Something Inside So Strong, I know that I can make it.

Afterwards, outside, the memory of the man leaving the church to the Ski Sunday theme tune, and borne away in a white VW camper van brings a smile to tear stained faces. Friends, old and new embrace as they remember. Later they marvel over the many photographs, each featuring a grinning boy, then later a man, the man, our Ali Rainback. Taken too soon, but never forgotten.; 6 July 2008 at 21:09
Anonymous said...: What beautiful words Linz, as always. I was not there but you seem to have captured the spririt of the day and so I thank you for that.

So long Ali, you gorgeous man. You made the world more special just by being in it. There are few people who touch the lives of so many the way you did and continue to do.

Team Rainback and all Ali's friends, my thoughts will stay with you for a long time to come.

Debbie (BASI) x; 7 July 2008 at 11:00

Grey matters

Wednesday 2 July 2008

37 comments:

With Jo my special sister-in -law

Dino looking so innocent!

Enjoying the heights

Annecy

Summer 2007

With Julian at Wimbledon

New Generation Directors

Charlie, my Bro and me La Napoule

John T and Me by Lake Annecy 07

Cheers

The Rainback Boys

Chocolate Cake and Wine !!!

Me and my Birthday Girl

Job well Done!

A Happy Day in Parc Vanoise

La Napoule Harbour before Monaco GP 07

Sunday Lunch

Family Breakfast

Guess Who

The Rainback Roundup La Napoule 07

todays highlight with Anne and Julia

Room with a view

My mate Theo!!!

Nick, Arsène Wenger and Me

View from the balcony

The big guns

Jeanette in Anncey

My brother Simon and nephew Charlie

Jo and Nephew Archie

Archie Rainback

|Charlie Rinback

Clouds above saint foy.

Ski touring in Les AVals, Courchevel

Biarritz Surfing New Gen Style!!

Si & Me in Ashridge Forest

Fran and Me-only a little drink

Rome

Jeanette in Rome

I love this photo - I hope it look like that up there just now!!

Courchevl! Black and White I think looks better

From my Window in Courchevel - New Years Days last Year

Archie

Archie Rainback

A seagull's botty, lake Annecy and a few mountains

Sunrise from our Annecy balcony

Simone!!

In La Grave

Me, Matt and John trying to look the part

Can anyone guess where this is?

Mr and my great friemd Franny telemarking in Cpurchevel

Jet and Ali in Rome

My friends Carolyn, Lotti & 'Tilda

Jet and me in Rome!

Me in italy on our ski day

Children at New Gen!

The Farewell team welcoming me back!

Me and the UEAFA coaching team-Largs

Skiing in Courchevel - Thanks Matt

Charile is 4 on Saturday! Yippee!!

some old van om the way to piips house

Rocks in Courchevel during last summer

Jet and me in Annecy

Definately going to fall off that bridge!

Charlie in his flying suit - best thing!

Courchevel from the nursey slope

Skiing again in Courchevel

This was planned!!!!

A mountain!

Me and my friend Jumbo!

It's fizzy water....promise!

Me and Warren in Zermatt

Me in Courchevel....very happy after a powder day!

Roy and me in the Helicopter in Italy

Two of BASI's top trainers ha ha

Me definately falling over!

Can you spot me?

Whooheeeee!