Many of the Lincoln Griffin girls and parents that knew Alice are taking part in the Race for Life at the Lincolnshire Showground in July 2011 to raise funds for this good cause in her memory.  If you would like to sponsor any (or all) of us for this, or feel you would like to make a donation for Alice, then please use this site.  Please remember to tick the box if you are a UK tax payer as the Charity gets even more at no cost to yourself.

 

Alice joined the Lincoln Griffins Girls U12s team in 2008 following captaining her previous boys team to the league title the year before.  Late in 2008 Alice started to suffer from back pains, which ultimately prevented her playing and training. Despite this, there was no clear diagnosis of the condition. The problem worsened as summer approached when Alice started to lose weight. One Sunday evening in June 2009, Alice began to have trouble walking and she was rushed to hospital for checks.

It was a great shock when the hospital discovered a melon-sized tumour on one of Alice’s ribs pushing into her internal organs (explaining the back pains) and into her spine resulting in partial paralysis and her difficulty in walking. An immediate operation to remove parts of the tumour to release pressure on her spine revealed the tumour to be an Ewings/Atkins Sarcoma (a type of bone cancer). The cancer was also found to have spread into her lungs.

Within days, Alice began an intensive course of chemotherapy which resulted in dramatic weight loss and her initially being confined to a wheelchair.

Alice and her family responded to all of these setbacks with incredible resolve and fight. The treatment was physically and mentally hard on Alice and her family.  Alice’s positive attitude, throughout was an inspiration.

By the Summer of 2010 Alice was believed to be in remission and even managed to come to a few light training sessions with the girls.  Though she looked so much stronger than previously, her body was still obviously very weak.  More than anything, her love for playing football was one of the driving forces behind her fight.  Unfortunately in Late 2010 it was found that the cancer had returned which was of course devastating news.  Alice sadly passed peacefully away on 2nd May 2011.  Alice was not only a tremendous footballer who played with skill and without fear, but a great character.  Her no-nonsense and determined personality was inspirational. She will be greatly missed at the club and by all that came to know her. 

The family were supported throughout the hardest times by a number of children’s cancer charities.  Alice would like donations to go to one of these, a local charity named 'Flights for Life'.  

This page is for anyone who would like to make a donation on behalf of Alice to this charity and give so many more young people the chance of a great experience such as she had.

Flights for life are based at Wickenby Airfield, Langworth, Lincoln, LN3 5AX.  They provide seriously ill children the opportunity to fly in a vintage aircraft along with all the thrills involved.  Alice was one of the first people to benefit from the charity and had two flights over her hometown of Market Rasen.

Lincoln Griffins added an Annual Chairman’s Award in May 2010 as part of their end of season Presentation Nights.  Alice and her family were the first to be awarded this shield for their bravery and dedication.  In memory of Alice the Chairman’s Award is now being renamed The Alice Rice Shield.  

The Alice Rice Shield for 2011 was awarded to Phil Hukin for all his help at the club this year and also for his support for Alice.  Phil raised £2,000 (for another local charity that helped Alice) by doing a 237 mile coast to coast bike ride. 

 

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