A MEMORIAL event for a ‘beautiful’ young woman who died at just 20 years old will be held to raise money for charity.

Alexandra Wood, from Portland, passed away suddenly in December.

The former Weymouth College student had Lupus, an incurable immune system illness.

Alex was buried alongside her grandparents in Essex, where she was born, and so her family want to hold a memorial for everyone who knew and loved her during her time in Dorset.

Money raised will be going to Lupus UK, as well as being put towards a special memorial bench on Portland.

Alex’s sister Jennifer said: ‘’We are holding the memorial fundraiser as a chance for Alex’s friends and family to remember her together.

“We are raising funds for Lupus UK and for a bench in memory of Alex. Alex was buried next to her grandma and grandad in Essex where she was originally from, so having the bench on Portland will be a lovely place for her local family and friends to feel close to her.”

All are welcome to attend the fundraising event, which takes place on March 19 from 4pm at the Royal Manor Theatre.

There will balloon release at 5pm.

There will be lots of purple balloons on which the family are planning to put tags from attendees with a personal message to Alex.

Singer and guitarist Jinder from Bridport, who Alex loved, has offered to play a set from 6pm.

This will hopefully be followed by a raffle at 7pm. Then there will be further music and a bar run by the Royal Portland Arms.

Alex’s bench will be installed near The Heights, close to where a huge ‘RIP Alex’ display was made shortly after she passed away.

For more information about Lupus, visit lupusuk.org.uk