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Alice Gross memorial service held | Alice Gross memorial service held |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The parents of murdered schoolgirl Alice Gross have spoken of their huge loss at an emotional memorial service for their daughter. | The parents of murdered schoolgirl Alice Gross have spoken of their huge loss at an emotional memorial service for their daughter. |
Ros Hodgkiss and Jose Gross spoke to hundreds of well-wishers who had queued in driving rain to attend service in Greenford, west London. | Ros Hodgkiss and Jose Gross spoke to hundreds of well-wishers who had queued in driving rain to attend service in Greenford, west London. |
Alice went missing on 28 August. Her body was found in the River Brent a month later. | Alice went missing on 28 August. Her body was found in the River Brent a month later. |
Her family thanked local people for their help in the hunt for Alice. | |
'Numbed by shock' | 'Numbed by shock' |
The service included two songs recorded by Alice herself, including Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen, which left many people in tears. | |
Ms Hodgkiss told the congregation of about 500 people: "I have been numbed by shock and grief, I have felt outrage and anger at the loss of her life and unbelievable sadness at the emptiness that has been left. | |
"I have racked my brains for all the 'what ifs' of that day, anything that might have stopped this random, incomprehensible tragedy. | |
"It is even harder to talk about that pain than it is to talk about Alice. I cannot imagine life without Alice. | |
"I think of all the hugs, shared jokes, evenings spent snuggled on the sofa, goodnight kisses, the confidence of after-school conversations, Alice playing the piano in her dressing gown (and) singing, shopping, baking, the way Alice still called me 'Mummy'. | |
"The future seems bleak without Alice. It is only the incredible support of family friends and the wider community that has kept us going." | |
'Ribbon fairies' | 'Ribbon fairies' |
The celebration, which was led by Caroline Black, a humanist celebrant who also presided over Alice's funeral, included music, poetry and speeches. | |
A number of poems were read, including one written by Brian Clark about the yellow ribbons of hope that were festooned around her neighbourhood while the search for Alice took place. | |
Ahead of the service, Alice's parents said they were particularly keen for the "ribbon fairies" and those who tended flowers at Hanwell Clock Tower to attend. | Ahead of the service, Alice's parents said they were particularly keen for the "ribbon fairies" and those who tended flowers at Hanwell Clock Tower to attend. |
The leader of Ealing Council, Julian Bell, thanked volunteers who "bathed our borough in yellow". | The leader of Ealing Council, Julian Bell, thanked volunteers who "bathed our borough in yellow". |
Representatives from the Ealing Half Marathon and sports clubs including Hanwell Town FC, Hanwell RFC, Brentford FC, Ealing RFC, Chelsea FC and QPR FC were also invited. | |
Ealing Council said Alice's family had asked for no further flowers, nor other tributes, to be left at Hanwell Clock Tower because the displays will be removed from Monday. | |
A tribute page with Youth Music has been set up to support disadvantaged children, in recognition of the teenager's love of music. | |
A post-mortem examination into the cause of Alice's death proved inconclusive and more tests are being carried out. | |
Police are currently investigating her murder. The inquest has been adjourned until 29 January next year. | Police are currently investigating her murder. The inquest has been adjourned until 29 January next year. |