27 September 2023 , 18:35
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Jack Rigby started out with a plucky wish to raise £1,000 for every year since his dad was murdered on the tenth anniversary of his death in May.
But so moved was the nation by the 13-year-old’s fundraising efforts, walking a marathon in memory of his father, Fusilier Lee Rigby, he ended up exceeding £50,000. And now the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards, with TSB, wants to give the determined teenager the best surprise possible with your help – by upping that total to £100,000.
We have teamed up with GoFundMe to launch a secret page to supercharge his efforts – lifting that total to £10,000 for every year Jack has been forced to grow up without his dad. All funds will go to Scotty’s Little Soldiers, a brilliant charity that supports children bereaved of a parent who served in the British Armed Forces which has always been by Jack’s side.
His proud mum Rebecca, said: “Jack was so excited to see the amount grow and seeing how much each donation made him smile meant the world to me. He and I read all the messages of support and were thankful for them all. We honestly couldn’t believe how kind and generous people were being.
Proud dad Lee Rigby holds baby Jack (COLLECT SUPPLIED)“We never dreamt that the fundraiser would do as well as it did and we are thankful to each and every person who donated and sent messages.”
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The Mirror broke the news of Jack’s determined mission ahead of the anniversary of his father’s killing by Islamic terrorists outside Woolwich Barracks on May 22, 2013.
Lee who joined the Army in 2006 and was deployed to Afghanistan three years later, was killed aged just 25 by extremists Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale. At the time he was working in a recruitment post for the 2nd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. At the time just two-years-old, anniversaries since have always proved hard for Jack.
The fundraiser which he took part in helped him through the most difficult year yet., and he could never have anticipated the snowball of support it attracted, from celebrities to the Prime Minister.
The schoolboy from Halifax, West Yorkshire, said: “I feel proud doing the May Marathon in honour of my dad. It also helps distract me from everything. Going on a long walk is a nice break and reminds me it’s not all bad.”
Pride of Britain Awards could increase fundraising totalRebecca added: “Jack wanted to do something positive in memory of his dad. He wants to show how even though he’s grown up without Lee, he’s not forgotten his dad.” The charity Scotty’s has meant so much to Jack he has given his black cockapoo the same name, and often took him on his fundraising walks.
He explained: “It helps to know I’m not the only one in my situation,” he says. “And that there’s people I can reach out and talk to, whenever I need them.”
Rebecca added: “For me, Scotty’s is about knowing Jack’s not been forgotten. People seem to think because he was only two and a half when Lee was killed it didn’t affect him, but Scotty’s know that isn’t the case. It gives everyone the chance to speak to others in the same position.”
* To donate to Jack’s fundraiser visit gofundme.com/f/prideofbritainsecretchallenge