Alan Rickman will open the gala in memory of teenager Alexandra Wylie.

Hollywood actor Alan Rickman will host a memorial gala in honour of a teenage ice skater who died of cancer.

To send a link to this page to a friend, simply enter their email address below.

The message will include the name and email address you gave us when you signed up.

Email address

  Send link

To send a link to this page to a friend, you must be logged in.

The star of the Harry Potter films, who plays Professor Snape, will open the event at the Alexandra Palace Ice Rink on Saturday, September 10 - accompanied by actors Juliet Stevenson and Michelle Collins.

The celebrity turn-out is testament to the popularity of Alexandra Wylie, known to friends as Allie, who sadly died of a rare form of cancer at the age of 17 last November.

Her mother Lindsey Wylie, of Gladsmuir Road, Archway, said: “She was one of those people you wouldn’t be able to take your eyes off in a room because she just drew attention to herself with her dazzling smile and vibrant personality.

“Throughout her life she worked hard at school, getting 10 A*s at GCSE, but also outside of school. Her passion for helping others was evident in everything she did.”

Her family has since founded the Alexandra Wylie Tower Foundation in honour of the teenager, who skated with the Alexandra Palace team in national tournaments and loved performing in Christmas pantomimes there.

The event will raise much-needed funds for the foundation, which helps underprivileged youngsters achieve their dreams in sciences, performing arts and environment projects - something Allie was passionate about.

It has been organised and choreographed by Allie’s close friends from the rink, all aged between 14 and 28.

The X Factor finalists One Direction have also made a promotional video to publicise the event on Twitter and Facebook.

The gala comes after a successful fundraiser in June, where the foundation managed to raise almost £2,000.

If you would like to buy a ticket please visit www.awtf.org