His father was assassinated when Jack Rigby was a toddler. Now 12 years old, he is raising money for charity to commemorate the tenth anniversary of his father’s passing.
The 12-year-old son of Lee Rigby has spoken out for the first time since his father’s assassination in 2013.
Jack Rigby was only two years old in 2013 when Fusilier Lee Rigby was murdered outside his barracks in Woolwich, south London, by Islamic extremists.
Jack is raising funds for the charity Scotty’s Little Soldiers, which supports military children who have lost a parent.
Over the course of the month, he will walk and run a marathon. He told the Mirror, “I’m honored to be participating in the May Marathon in commemoration of my father.
“It also helps me tune out everything. A long walk is a pleasant diversion and a reminder that things are not all terrible.
“I’d love to raise £10,000 for the 10th anniversary of my father’s passing, as well as £1,000 for each year he has been gone.”
His mother, Rebecca Rigby, stated that Jack wished to demonstrate “how, despite having grown up without Lee, he has not forgotten his father.”
She added, “People believe that because Jack was only two years old when his father was murdered, it has little effect on him, but this is not the case”.
The fact that Jack was young does not mean he has forgotten Lee.
“Lee has been and always will be such an integral part of our existence. I’m so proud of Jack for everything he does, and I believe Lee would feel the same way.
Fusilier Lee Rigby, an Afghanistan veteran, was struck by a vehicle and hacked to death near Woolwich military sites in broad daylight.
Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale are currently serving life sentences for his murder.
Mrs. Rigby stated in her victim impact statement at sentencing. “There is nothing I can do to prevent my son from seeing images of his father that no son should have to endure.”
She told the Mirror that Scotty’s Little Soldiers ensured that Jack was never forgotten.
The organisation has given the family respite holidays and party invitations with other military-lost children.
“It helps to know I’m not the only one in my situation,” Jack said.
And that there are individuals I can contact and converse with whenever I need them.
