
The Alice Fund
At the age of eight, and from the first day we met at dance class, we’d become best friends. Even after finding partners and competing against each other in competitions, that friendship never faltered. Any rivalry was always tempered with good humour and affection.
Graduating from the under-twelves to the under-sixteen competitions was exciting but that was when everything suddenly changed so dramatically. Owning just two ballroom dresses was no longer sufficient. Likewise, the matching satin shoes. And it soon became apparent that, to compete at a higher level, a weekly lesson with our local dance teacher wouldn’t suffice. Success would come at a cost.
I was lucky to have parents who were able to support me financially. But Alice wasn’t so lucky. Within weeks, she lost her partner to another girl and her dancing days were over. It was so unfair.
Michael, my partner, stressed I shouldn’t dwell on it. “You don’t know,” he reasoned, “if Alice would ever have made it to the top.”
“And neither does she,” I argued. “But she deserved the chance to find out.”
As much as I missed Alice, there was little time to think about anyone or anything else as dancing consumed my life. It became my world, even when the sheer pleasure of it was denied by the punishing hours of training. But the training paid off when we reached the pinnacle of our junior dancing career… International Junior Dance Champions.
Over the years, success followed success, as we progressed to Amateur and finally Professional Dance Champions. And when retirement beckoned, I opened my own dancing school.
And that was when I acknowledged something I’d always been harbouring… a wish that I could have done more for Alice. It hadn’t been possible to help my friend, but now I had the opportunity to help others like her.
My status in the dance world attracted students more than willing to pay top price for private lessons, empowering me to start a fund. A fund for less fortunate dancers who showed promise, enabling them to reach their full potential… the Alice Fund.
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GooglePut on your dancing shoes! An ungranted wish for one blossoms into help for many. A sweet blend of childhood memories, art, and generous love.

Thank you so much Voice-Team. I am so pleased to have made the final with this one as it is very close to my heart.
Linda, you have written an inspiring tale about generosity, altruism and supporting others!
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThank you, Margarida! Alice is loosely based on me. Age 14, my dance partner swapped partners for someone who could afford the expensive lessons from top professionals. I did re-partner until age 16 and was offered a job training to be a dance instructor. But the 1960’s called and all that came with it and I was unable to resist! I had an amazing career in I.T. so have no regrets. The… Read more »
Linda, this is a lovely tale. How many of us have harboured a wish that never came to fruition, especially if it concerned another. You’ve captured the thinking processes of a young girl progressing with life and we all know that in mid-life other things push to the front as priorities. (those of us old enough to have experienced mid-life!!)
Thank you, Allan. I’m so glad you enjoyed the story!
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleWow! It is very inspiring and heartwarming. I hope everyone is that very generous, like your protagonist.
Thank you so much, Lotchie! Yes, wouldn’t it be wonderful if everyone was so generous?
Yes. You are definitely right. I wish I can find someone as generous as your protagonist to help me get out of poverty in life. Even a little help for business capital or a work abroad. You are welcome, Linda.
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThis was such a sweet story, Linda! I hope Alice found satisfaction and happiness wherever life took her, the same way you say you did!
Thank you, Emily! I’ve often wondered if life is already mapped out for us. We may think we have choices but do we really? I too hope that Alice found happiness.
Sometimes, fairy godmothers come along to make wishes come true… It’s so inspiring that, through your story, we come to realise that they live among humans! I loved it!
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleI’m sure there are many unsung heroes out there Greene. So glad you enjoyed the story and really appreciate the support you give me.
How lovely to discover that the picture accompanying your story is actually a younger you! What a sweet photograph, and a great story of caring and giving support.
The picture brings back wonderful memories of my early teens and competitive dancing years, Fuji. Thank you for your lovely comments, I’m glad you enjoyed the story.
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleI love this, Linda. A lovely story, all too real and heartbreaking for the parents who can’t afford to support their child’s hobby. I love the idea of the Alice Fund. I hope Alice knew! Very nicely done. Love the picture too!
Thank you, Carrie. I remember the time my mum borrowed from the rent to pay for one of my dresses. She did her best for me. I’d like to think Alice knew. Given more words, that would make a lovely addition to the story.
I was lucky to be handy with a sewing machine and make most of Emily’s skating dresses—the ice skates were another story ?
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleI really loved this story. It has a natural flow and all of the descriptions and characterizations ring very true. And the ending… perfect (and inspiring).
I really couldn’t wish for a nicer comment, Preston. Thank you so much!
Hi again Linda. Congrats on the “finalist” selection!
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThank you, Preston. I was thrilled to have made the final especially as there were so many amazing stories on the shortlist, yours included of course, which I loved!
Hi Linda – I am back at the Voice.club after being pulled away by demanding software coding work!
I always enjoy your stories, and this one had a sweet altruistic tone and nice descriptive writing. I agree with
Preston Randall that it flowed well, and the ending was inspiring ?
Oh those crazy I.T. days, I remember them well from my time with the First National Bank of Chicago, London Branch, Chris! Very glad to see you back and hope to read a story from you soon. Thanks so much for your comments which I really appreciated.
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleLinda, this story was so beautifully written and inspirational! I think many people can relate to Alice and I think it is such a noble wish for your protagonist to want to help other dancers who might be in Alice’s shoes. Great story and I love the picture!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the story, Marianna. Ah yes, a picture of my younger days, where did the years go? Thank you so much for your lovely comments.
I was asking myself, while reading your story, if the photo was of you, Linda. And then got it confirmed in your answer to Margarita’s comment. A great picture! And love your story! It is told with a lot of emotion and respect for the not-so-priviledged participants in life/dancing. I understand that you were a very promising dancer, but it was probably wiser to put your efforts into IT.
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleYou are right, Christer, back in the 60s there wasn’t much interest in taking ballroom dancing lessons, maybe if Strictly Come Dancing was on the TV it would have been different! I know I made the right choice but those teenage dancing years will always hold a special place in my heart. Thank you again for your kind comments, always appreciated.
Linda, I am a dancer as well and I found your story very touching since the industry can be very hard on those with fewer means to achieve their goals/desires. The ending was truly heartwarming and an extremely enjoyable read!
Thank you Bella, and how lovely to hear that you are a dancer too. As such, I’m so glad you found my story credible and enjoyable. Your comments mean a lot.
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with Google