02 June 2023 , 11:43
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At the start of May, Jack Rigby, 12, set out to fundraise £1,000 for every year since his fusilier father Lee Rigby’s horrific murder a decade ago.
His aim was to walk a marathon across the month to help him cope with the traumatic anniversary of Lee Rigby’s killing on May 22, hoping at the end he could donate £10,000 to the military bereavement charity Scotty’s Little Soldiers, who have always supported him.
But Jack has smashed his total. Following an outpouring of support including praise from the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Jack has raised more than £53,000 in Lee’s name.
After completing his ‘May Marathon’, he said: “It means more than any of you would know.
“Just to know that we are helping hundreds of other bereaved children just like me in my dad’s name.
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Jack Rigby holding a copy of the Daily Mirror from May 18, 2023
Jack Rigby holding a photo of his dad Lee Rigby (PA)“Please, if you can, keep donating and sharing because it’s creating so much awareness as well.”
His mother Rebecca, 40, Lee’s widow, added: “The amount that’s been raised so far is absolutely phenomenal and I am immensely proud of Jack for everything that he is doing to raise funds and awareness for Scotty’s, and to do something positive in Lee’s name.
“May’s not an easy time for us and doing this is really helping Jack to get through this difficult period, so thank you.”
Jack was just two when his father was murdered by terrorists outside his barracks in Woolwich, southeast London.
The trauma caused the toddler to lose the power of speech for some months as he regressed back to babyhood.
The schoolboy spoke for the first time about his loss in the Daily Mirror earlier this month, catapulting his fundraising for Lee beyond his wildest dreams.
Rishi Sunak tweeted: “I pay tribute to his son Jack, who has honoured his father’s memory by raising money for other bereaved military children.
“As Jack’s mum says, Lee would be very proud.”
Jack and his dad in Tenerife (PA)Presenter Piers Morgan and radio host Jeremy Vine also posted their support.
Speaking in the Mirror, Rebecca explained age has not been a barrier to grief for her young son.
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The teacher, from Halifax, West Yorks, said: “People think because Jack was only two when his dad was killed, that it doesn’t affect him very much, but that’s not how it works.
“Just because Jack was young, it doesn’t mean he’s forgotten Lee. Lee has always been such an important part of our lives and always will be. I’m so proud of Jack in everything that he does, and I think that Lee would be as well.”
While Jack added walking helped with his grief. “I feel proud doing the May Marathon in honour of my dad. It also helps distract me from everything,” he said.
Jack with mum Rebecca at BBC One's Festival of Remembrance 2022 (PA)“Going on a long walk is a nice break and reminds me it’s not all bad.”
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.
Off-duty, he was entering the barracks in civilian clothes when his killers mowed him down in a speeding car, and then attacked him with knives and meat cleavers before shouting “Allahu Akhbar” - God is great - and waiting for police.
At the end of a four-week trial at the Old Bailey the killers were both handed life sentences, with ringleader Adebolajo facing a whole-life tariff.
Jack’s fundraiser will help Scotty’s support other bereaved military children like him.
Lee was killed 10 years ago (PA)
Jack and Rebecca thanked everyone who supported his fundraiser (PA)The charity currently has over 600 members and offers access to child bereavement support, guidance to parents and carers, personal education and learning assistance (including grants).
It also provides fun activities such as holiday respite breaks and group events.
Scotty’s founder, Nikki Scott, added: “It’s been incredible to see the response to Jack’s fundraiser.
“Jack’s not only raised funds that enable us to provide much needed support to bereaved military children and young people, but he has also helped raise awareness of Scotty’s Little Soldiers.
“We are so proud of him and very grateful that he chose to support Scotty’s to mark the 10th anniversary of his dad’s death. Thanks to everyone who has shown Jack that his dad, Royal Fusilier Lee Rigby, hasn’t been forgotten and that his memory lives on.”
To show support visit scottyslittlesoldiers.enthuse.com/pf/jack-rigby. For more information about Scotty’s, go to www.scottyslittlesoldiers.co.uk.