Bracken Bank residents have rallied round to help the family of a neighbour who died of cancer.

The big-hearted residents on the Keighley estate last weekend raised £3,674 for Angie Wilcock’s four children.

The youngsters faced a bleak future after Angie, 39, lost her battle with breast cancer last month.

The lifelong Bracken Bank woman brought up Mark, 21, Laura, 17, Jack, 15, and Joe, 11, alone.

Friends and neighbours discovered the quartet was struggling with fuel costs and other matters.

They organised a “girlie night” at Bracken Bank Community Centre, which raised £1,416.

A fundraiser at Keighley’s New Variety Club, featuring local band The Taking, raised £2,258.

The fundraising was led by Angie’s best pal Laura Tretton and another friend, community centre worker Bernie O’Neill. Laura paid tribute to former Oakbank School student Angie, who she described as outgoing and happy.

She said: “Angie was fantastic with the kids. She brought them up single-handedly and always put them first.”

Angie, who spent her final days at Manorlands, had hoped to live until Christmas.

Laura said: “The kids are outstanding. I can’t believe how together they are — obviously they’ve got financial worries, but they’re being very strong together.”

Bernie this week praised the many people who helped with the fundraising efforts.

She said: “School friends, residents of Bracken Bank and the generous people of Keighley got together.

“A big thank you to the people of Bracken Bank for showing us all that there is still such a thing as community spirit.”