An online book of condolence has been set up for fans to pay tribute to Dame Barbara Windsor.
The actress’ grieving husband Scott Mitchell announced a JustGiving page had been started in order to raise money for Alzheimer’s Research UK.
Scott revealed he wanted the page to be used as a Book of Condolence where mourners can offer their sympathies while donating to charity. Almost two thousand pounds has so far been raised seven days after the actress, 83, died.
One supporter, Emma Barnes, gave £20 and wrote: ‘No one ruled the Queen Vic like you did, the Vic will always be yours, Rest in Peace Dame Barbara Windsor.’
Scott, who revealed he would read every message posted, said he had been asked many times what people can do to honour Barbara. He said both their wishes was for more money to be invested into dementia research.
The actress’ grieving husband Scott Mitchell (pictured together) announced a JustGiving page (pictured) to raise money for Alzheimer’s Research UK
Scott said both their wishes was for more money to be invested into dementia research. Pictured, in September 2019 delivering a petition calling for urgent action on dementia care to 10 Downing Street
‘That’s why I’d ask people, if they can, to share their memories of Barbara and consider a donation to Alzheimer’s Research UK, however small or large,’ he added.
‘Alzheimer’s Research UK is a charity that’s doing so much to ensure future generations don’t have to go through the same heartbreak I and so many others have. The donation page will also act as a book of condolence, where people can share their many stories, tributes and anecdotes about her.
‘I know that will provide comfort to so many, and I’ll be reading every one of them.’
Famed for her infectious laugh and baring all in the Carry On films, the east London-born actress universally known as ‘Babs’, boasted a 66-year career in showbiz, first appearing on stage aged 13 before retiring four years ago aged 79.
As dementia took its toll 4ft 10ins Barbara was forced to stop playing fearsome landlady Peggy Mitchell on EastEnders.
Her third husband Scott announced on December 11 that his ‘best friend and soul mate’ passed away peacefully in a London care home at 8.35pm the night before. He had moved into her home a few days earlier to be by her side when she died.
Scott ran last year’s London Marathon in a hope of raising £100,000 for Dementia Revolution alongside Barbara’s former co-stars, including Kellie Shirley, Adam Woodyatt and Jake Wood. He ended up helping to raise a record £4 million for dementia research.
Hilary Evans, Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: ‘We remember Dame Barbara first and foremost for lighting up our screens in her inimitable appearances over many years. But in her later years, and supported by husband Scott, Barbara also put enormous efforts into campaigning to help improve dementia care and research as she battled the condition herself.
‘We hope people will share their memories of Barbara’s life and work, and they can choose to support Alzheimer’s Research UK’s work if they can.’
Dame Windsor, best known for her roles in EastEnders and the Carry On films, died aged 83, her husband Scott Mitchell (pictured in one of their final photos together last Feburary) revealed last week
Outside of the showbiz world she was made a Dame (pictured) in the Years Honours List in 2016 for her services to charity and entertainment
Prince Charles and his wife Camila shared their tribute and memories of Barbara
EastEnders said it had lost its ‘Dame’. Babs showed her more gritty side as the Queen Vic’s formidable Peggy Mitchell
A donator called Jules gave £10 and wrote: ‘My thoughts are with dame Barbara’s wonderful husband Scott – devoted to the end – The entertainment world has lost a national treasure – heaven has gained an Angel – Barbara you will be so missed x’
Another said: ‘Thanks for the giggles, nothing classier than Dame Barbara Windsor.’
One wrote: ‘Thank you Dame Barbara for years of wonderful entertainment. Sorry it had to end like this. Lets hope together we can find a cure to prevent this awful disease affecting others. Love to the family x’
Another penned: ‘i am so sorry for your loss, what a lovely lady, a national treasure, who loved her husband dearly, my love to you Scott xxx’
Dame Barbara had no children, often saying she never regretted it because of the way she had been rejected by her own father, and spoke candidly about having five abortions in her life.
Barbara (pictured as a child) was born in Shoreditch to a fruit and veg cart seller and a dressmaker, making her stage debut aged 13
In the 1950s she attended the Aida Foster Theatre School in London’s Golders Green (pictured) before becoming a household name in the 1960s and 1970s
Mr Mitchell said his wife’s final weeks were ‘typical of how she lived her life’ and were ‘full of humour, drama and a fighting spirit until the end’.
Dame Barbara became one of the most famous faces on British screens for her fun-filled saucy roles in the Carry On comedies of the 1960s and 70s before before becoming the no-nonsense Queen Vic landlady Peggy Mitchell. As she bravely fought Alzheimer’s in the final years of her life, she turned her energies to campaigning to protect those with dementia, the vulnerable and the lonely as well her passionate support of the Armed Forces through the Poppy Appeal.
The actress – who was made a Dame by the Queen in 2016 – announced she was suffering from Alzheimer’s in 2018, having been diagnosed four years earlier. She moved to a care home in July, five months before she died.
To donate to Dame Barbara’s JustGiving click here.