Alice Gross’s family will be thanking their community this weekend at a public memorial service for their daughter.
The service will be held on Sunday morning (November 2) at 11am in Greenford Town Hall.
It has been agreed by the family and council that the flowers and tributes left at Hanwell Clock Tower will be removed on Monday (November 3), the day after the memorial ceremony.
The family held a private humanist funeral in Hanwell last Thursday morning (October 23) which was full of music, with videos of Alice playing and singing songs she wrote herself.
Brentside High School pupil, Alice Gross, 14, vanished on the afternoon of Thursday August 28 after walking along the Grand Union Canal.
Her body was later recovered on September 30 after having been weighted down and concealed in the River Brent, yards from where she disappeared.
Latvian builder Arnis Zalkalns, who was the prime suspect, was found hanged in Boston Manor Park earlier this month.
Friends of Alice's family who are administrators on the Alice Gross Facebook group wrote: "The Hanwell clock tower looks glorious in the sunshine. Thank you to everyone who has laid flowers, teddies, candles and other tributes there, and to everyone who has looked after it so well.
"For two months the clock tower has symbolised all that is best in our wonderful, supportive community. It was also an integral part of Alice’s funeral as the cortege paused there so that everyone could pay their respects.
"However, the time has almost come for the sad task of taking down the clock tower tributes. The Gross family has agreed that the ribbons, flowers and other tributes will be removed on Monday November 3.
"They thank everyone for all their tributes. They are very much appreciated. Please: don’t add new flowers to the clock tower on Sunday. We suggest that if you want to remember Alice that you make a donation to Youth Music in her memory instead.
"Thank you for your continued, brilliant support. If you would like to donate to Youth Music in memory of Alice Gross you can do it either online or via text depending on how much you are giving. For donations of £5 and higher please go here: http://alice.poppymadeleine.gross.muchloved.com/ .For donations of £1 to £4.99 please donate by texting 70070, adding the code YMUS10 £x for the amount. So, for example, to donate £2 text: YMUS10 £2 (NB: there is a space between the code and the £ sign).
"Almost £7,000 has already been donated in memory of Alice. Massive thanks from us to you."
More information about the memorial is scheduled to be released later today.
