NIKKI Grahame’s fans have now pledged an incredible £69,349 for her funeral costs and to support the fight against eating disorders.
The GoFundMe page that was set up to fund Nikki’s treatment for anorexia prior to her death on Friday was reopened to cover funeral costs and to raise money for charity.
The 38-year-old Big Brother icon was admitted to a specialist clinic earlier this year as her “last hope” to get better, but she tragically died following a three-decade battle with anorexia.
The fundraiser’s target was initially £25,000, with big-hearted celebs including Rylan Clark-Neal, Michelle Visage, and Vanessa Feltz each donating £500.
It has now raised nearly three times that amount.
On the page, the star’s friends Carly Cunningham and Leon Dee thanked everyone for their support and kind messages.
They said: “We just wanted to let you know that we are turning donations back on for anyone that would like to make a donation in Nikki’s memory, as lots of people have been asking if they can still donate.
“An amount will be used for the funeral costs and the remaining funds will be used to go towards an organisation that helps those suffering with eating disorders, the crucial funding that has been lacking to help people in these awful situations has not been addressed, we will use this money to the best of our ability to try and stem this horrific, debilitating illness.
“We also would like to thank people who have sent private messages with lovely words about Nikki, she would be so thankful.”
Nikki had been open about her anorexia battle since finding fame in Big Brother back in 2006, releasing autobiography Dying To Be Thin in 2009.
She fought the illness since childhood and was first admitted to a psychiatric hospital at the age of 12 following a suicide bid.
At one point, Nikki had to be force fed through a nasal tube after she starved herself.
Despite her battle with the eating disorder, Nikki’s bubbly personality – and dramatic reactions – made her an instant hit when she entered Big Brother in series seven in 2006.
One of her classic moments was when she cried “Who is she?!” about a new housemate in the Diary Room chair, while her relationship with eventual winner Pete Bennett won the hearts of viewers.
