Dame Barbara Windsor’s husband Scott Mitchell has said he’s “overwhelmed” at the response to a fundraiser set up in her memory.
The showbiz legend died earlier this month at the age of 83, after six years of living with Alzheimer’s disease.
Following her death, Dame Barbara’s husband Scott Mitchell requested that a JustGiving page be set up in her honour, raising money for Alzheimer’s Research UK, which managed to reach £100,000 in less than a week.
“I have been completely overwhelmed by the response from Barbara’s fans, friends and former colleagues,” Scott said of the donations.
“This outpouring of support has filled me with pride and been a huge comfort to me. It just shows how loved, respected and adored my Barbara was. That’s magical.”
He added: “I’m determined to honour her legacy by doing everything I can to support dementia research and help Alzheimer’s Research UK’s search for a cure. We must find a way to stop future generations going through what so many of us have already.
“Please do consider a donation however small or large. Every penny will take us one step closer to desperately needed breakthroughs.”
Among the donations was a massive £83,000 from the software company Gamesys, whose adverts Dame Barbara appeared in as the “Queen Of Bingo”.
The company remembered her as “an amazing lady and an amazing life”, writing: “Thank you, Babs, for the humour, warmth and joy you brought to us all, and for all you have done for people with Alzheimer’s and their families. A very worthy cause to support in your memory.”
Dame Barbara devoted her final years in the public eye to raising awareness of Alzheimer’s, and last year met with prime minister Boris Johnson to discuss dementia care.