Author John Ling’s book is tribute to friend Alice

Dec 28 2010 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

A WRITER has published a book in tribute to his friend in the hope that it can help others.

The collection of his poems chronicles the last 15 years of the life of his pal Alice who died after a long battle with crippling illness.

Author John Ling hopes the story of the woman he describes as ‘feisty’ and ‘determined’ will help highlight the plight of the many lonely and disabled people in our communities at risk of being forgotten.

He also aims to raise as much money as possible in support of two charities that help people facing the same conditions as his friend.

John, from Slaithwaite, met Alice – who her family have asked not to be named because of the sensitive nature of the book – 15 years ago at a writers’ group at Huddersfield’s Greenhead College.

Writing short stories and poems was one of her passions and John describes her as “the life and soul of the group”.

Alice, a former mills manager who later worked looking after terminally ill people in their homes, had suffered from rheumatoid arthritis since her 30s.

The crippling disease causes inflammation, pain and swelling of joints and there is no cure.

She also battled with Ménière’s disease for many years, a disorder of the inner ear which causes severe dizziness and hearing loss.

Alice, who lived in the Dalton area, died earlier this year aged 82.

She had been housebound for the last 10 years and relied on the kindness of others to help her.