Community rallies to support daughter of Doddington’s Fundraising Queen Bridget Knowles who sadly died

A village community together with neighbouring villages are pulling together to raise funds in memory of a much-loved charity stalwart who died on Friday.

Bridget Knowles, 57, from Doddington, was well-known across the area for her fundraising efforts, helping many good causes over the years.

Now the communities that she has supported are rallying to support Bridget’s daughter Katie, 23, who has additional needs and needs some financial support, having lost her dad just under two years ago.

Bridget’s fundraisers were held not only in Doddington, but in Chatteris and Manea too, and she has helped people from all parts of Fenland including the three-year-old son of tragic Wisbech mum Grace Robinson who was killed in a horror car crash in February 2023.

She and her friend Anita Evans organised a month-long series of events to help the little boy.

Bridget and Anita also ran a Facebook raffle page after the Covid-19 pandemic known as A&B’s Lucky Page to raise funds for worthy causes suggested by the members of the community.

One of her most recent fundraisers was a bingo night in December that raised funds for Little Miracles Fenland Branches.

She also helped ensure Doddington was seasonally lit-up as a member of the Christmas lights committee.

A GoFundme page set up by one of Bridget’s friends, Lisa Cowling, describes Bridget as Doddington’s Fundraising Queen.

Despite losing her husband Mick, Bridget, who also leaves her brother Trevor Bays, continued with her support for those in need and Lisa said: “Tragically, Bridget lost her husband recently, and now this leaves her young daughter Katie without parents.

“The community, along with this GoFundMe page, wants to raise funds to help Katie after Bridget spent many years fundraising for the community.

“We will also be organising events locally in her memory.

“Katie will need a great deal of help but has many people around her who care very much. Bridget, you are so sadly missed.”

A special group has been set up to start the ball rolling with ideas for fundraisers ranging from car boots, to bingos and a ladies night among others.

Trevor said: “Bridget did so much to help others, I am not on Facebook but I have heard what is happening and it is great that so many people are rallying to help Katie – just as Bridget would have done for anyone else in the same situation.”