Alan Rickman's widow has launched a prize draw offering Harry Potter books signed by the film franchise's stars to raise money for pancreatic cancer research. Rima Horton appeared on BBC Breakfast on Tuesday to promote the initiative, which aims to fund development of a breath test for early diagnosis of the disease that killed the actor 10 years ago.
The prize features a complete set of seven Harry Potter hardback novels signed by 12 cast members. Rupert Grint, Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter, Miriam Margolyes and Imelda Staunton are among the stars who added their signatures to the books. Rickman portrayed potions master Severus Snape in all eight Harry Potter films.
The Fundraising Goal
Horton told BBC Breakfast the urgent need for better diagnostic tools drives the campaign. «Our motive is to raise money for this deadly disease, because it now has one of the highest death rates. The biggest problem is that by the time that people find out they've got it, it's too late. The symptoms are so difficult to work out. What we're trying to do is raise money for a breathalyser test which could provide an early diagnosis. All you have to do is buy a ticket.»
Around 10,800 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the UK each year. The average life expectancy after diagnosis is just three months. Rickman survived six months after his diagnosis before dying in 2016 at age 69.
Cast Support
The response from Rickman's former colleagues was immediate and enthusiastic. «The actors were wonderful. Everybody asked said of course they'd do it,» Horton said during her BBC Breakfast appearance. She reflected on her late husband's unfulfilled potential: «He had so much more to give. There were so many more things he could have done.»
Fans can enter the prize draw by donating at least £5 at uk.givergy.com/harry-potter-prize-draw/. The draw runs until Sunday March 1, with all proceeds going to Pancreatic Cancer UK.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
