06 October 2023 , 15:43
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The tenth anniversary of his father’s murder approached with a weight heavier than any before it.
Jack Rigby, the son of Fusilier Lee Rigby, could easily have broken and hidden away. Instead, the 13-year-old, mature beyond his years, turned his sorrow into one of the most inspirational acts of the year and raised tens of thousands of pounds for charity - and all in memory of his dad.
Now we can announce Jack is a winner at this year’s Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards, with TSB. He has been named Good Morning Britain Young Fundraiser Of The Year and on Sunday will be presented with his award at the prestigious ceremony at London’s Grosvenor House hotel.
“I feel thankful, happy and proud to have won a Pride of Britain award,” he says. You can’t help but imagine just how proud Lee would be of his son, too. Jack was just two when he lost his dad in the most heinous circumstance, and has had to learn to, somehow, comprehend those terrible events which appalled us all.
Jack Rigby receives a surprise from Ant and Dec at a London bowling clubNo one would have expected the shy teenager and his mum, Rebecca, to do anything more than spend the anniversary of Lee’s death in quiet reflection. Instead, he bravely decided to walk the length of a marathon throughout the month of May to fundraise £1,000 for every year since his dad’s murder.
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Publicised by the Mirror, as news spread of Jack’s pledge, thousands of supporters including celebrities and even the Prime Minister stepped forward to praise his efforts and donate to his cause. Blown away by the outpouring of support, Jack, from Halifax, West Yorks, raised over £50,000 with his walk, donating the funds to Scotty’s Little Soldiers, a brilliant charity that supports children bereaved of a parent who served in the British Armed Forces which has been by Jack’s side for a decade.
Jack talking with Ant and Dec (Tim Merry/Daily Mirror)Reflecting on that surreal month, the schoolboy, who enlisted his dogs - including a loyal Cockapoo he’s named Scotty - on his marathon, recalls: “We walked miles and talked about my dad.” He isn’t aware how incredibly moving his candid matter-of-factness is.
Jack has known nothing more than simply being able to talk about Lee, and look at his photograph, and try and keep his scant memories - memories perhaps born only of photos - separate from the terrifying headlines which accompanied his death.
He has been raising money for Scotty’s Little Soldiers (COLLECT SUPPLIED)He explains of his challenge: “It was a way for me to remember him in a positive way at a difficult time. Ten years without having him here has not been easy, but he will never be forgotten and will always be a part of my life.
“I chose to raise funds for Scotty’s because they have always been there for me, they get it. They understand what it’s like to lose a parent and through the charity I’ve met people who are the same as me. I did my fundraiser for Scotty’s Little Soldiers so that I could raise awareness and funds for the charity and The Pride of Britain Award means a lot to me because I can spread awareness of Scotty’s even further.”
Jack pictured with his mum Rebecca (Andy Stenning/Sunday Mirror)Few will forget the news of Lee Rigby’s murder, a 25-year-old Fusilier killed outside Woolwich Barracks in south east London by Islamic terrorists on May 22, 2013. He had joined the Army in 2006, and deployed to Afghanistan three years later.
At the time he was working in a recruitment post for the 2nd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, and off-duty, was entering the barracks in civilian clothes when his killers, Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale, mowed him down in a speeding car.
They then attacked him with knives and meat cleavers before shouting “Allahu Akhbar” - God is great - and waiting for police. Few will forget either Jack’s small, pale face at Lee’s funeral, the toddler holding a regimental teddy bear his Daddy had bought him, and wearing a tee shirt which carried the words “My Daddy My Hero”.
He has raised tens of thousands of pounds for charity (COLLECT SUPPLIED)Rebecca, a teacher, explains life has not been easy for her son since. She is understandably protective of him, even in the face of such positive attention. She is desperately proud, and delighted with the support he has, but knows he is vulnerable.
She says: “Some people think because Jack was only two when Lee was killed it wouldn’t have any effect on him, but this simply isn’t true. Lee’s death had a big impact on Jack to the point he regressed when it happened and as he has grown, he has had to find out more and more about the horrific way his dad was taken from us.”
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She adds: “Fundraising for Scotty’s at the time of Lee’s 10th anniversary was a way for Jack to honour his dad and do something positive in his name. He wants to show people that his dad would have wanted him to be doing something positive and I’m sure Lee would be very proud of Jack, as am I.”
Jack was just two when he lost his dad (COLLECT SUPPLIED)In fact, she knows with certainty Lee would have supported Scotty’s. She has a clear memory of him at the devastating funeral of a friend who had been killed in Afghanistan, and his concern for their children. Of course, he never imagined his own son would stand in their shoes.
“Lee looked at his children and said that he really felt for them having to grow without their dad,” she recalls. “I know if Lee was here, he would fully support Scotty’s and the work they do and would be doing what he could to promote them.”
She adds: “The fundraiser really helped both Jack and I through the anniversary. This year felt different, bigger, and using our energy to fundraise for Scotty’s helped. We walked and talked about Lee, what he was like, funny stories about things he had done. These walks weren’t just an everyday dog walk, they gave us a sense of purpose and an opportunity to focus on something positive, helping others.”
She repeats Scotty’s support has really changed things for Jack, and helped him grow in confidence and strength. “He knows when he attends a Scotty’s function the members and team understand what it’s like, he feels equal,” she says. “To Jack, knowing that they are there and have been since he can remember, means everything to him. He was so excited to see the amount grow and seeing how much each donation made him smile meant the world to me.
Jack is a winner at this year’s Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards (COLLECT SUPPLIED)“I am immensely proud of Jack, not just for the fundraising but for the person he is and the person he continues to become. He was so shocked to find out he had won a Pride of Britain award. He never dreamed the fundraiser would do as well as it did, never mind being recognised for wanting to help Scotty’s.”
That shock is audible in Jack’s words. He cannot believe he has made such a difference; that his name and his achievements have caught the attention of the nation. He says: “My mum and I read all the messages of support left on the donation page and couldn’t believe how kind and generous people were being.
“They really spurred me on to do more. We were in total shock watching the fundraising amount as it increased so rapidly.” He adds: “I know Scotty’s is always there. They helped fund swimming lessons when I was little. We have been on Scotty’s breaks to Blackpool, Hastings, Devon Cliffs and Butlins, giving me time to spend with my family and talk about my dad.
“I have proudly marched alongside other members past the cenotaph in London on Remembrance Day. I’m so pleased I’ve had the opportunity to help them and hope they can continue to help other bereaved military children just like me.”
Watch The Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards with TSB on Thursday Oct 12, at 8pm on ITV1
Donate to Jack’s fundraiser at gofundme.com/f/prideofbritainsecretchallenge and to find out more about Scotty’s visit www.scottyslittlesoldiers.co.uk/