Mum Lyn Rigby last night paid tribute to the Angels of Woolwich who tried to help her murdered son Lee 10 years ago today.
Soldier Lee was savagely hacked to death by two jihadi extremists as he walked home to Woolwich Barracks in South East London on May 22, 2013.
It was a crime that shocked the world but Amanda Donnelly, Tina Nimmo and Ingrid Loyau-Kennett stood out that day for their heroism.
Amanda lay down beside Lee and wrapped her arms around him to bring him comfort, while Tina put herself in front of traffic to shield the fusilier from being run over.
Ingrid, a French-born mother-of two from Cornwall, got off a bus and confronted the killers for 10 minutes until police arrived, telling the pair that they would lose their jihadi war.
Lyn said: “The Angels of Woolwich stepped up for my son in a way I will never be able to repay.
“It should have been me that was there to protect him, to comfort him in his last moments, but I knew nothing about Lee’s murder until later.“
"These women are incredible and I will remain in their debt for the rest of my life. They put themselves in terrible danger because they wanted to help a stranger in need.
"That takes enormous guts and its hows how very special they are.
“They all just rushed in on instinct– a mother’s instinct that drove them to protect a young man in desperate need. Their humanity is everything.”
Paying tribute to former pub landlady Tina, who sadly died on Friday following an illness, Lyn recalled her immense courage in the face of danger.
Tina and her daughter Michelle, from Woolwich, were among the first on the scene as Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale tried to behead Lee with meat cleavers and knives.
Lyn said: “Tina was an exceptional woman, brave and fearless, and she became a good friend. The horror of that day really affected Tina yet she always said she would do the same again in a flash.
“My heart goes out to her family at her sad loss, and I hope she rests in eternal peace.”
Last night Amanda, 54, relived the nightmare but insisted she would do the same again. She said: “I’m a mum with children and no one should be left to die in the street in such an undignified manner.
“It was a truly horrendous day. Witnessing something so violent is not something you can ever forget. But what I have suffered is nothing compared to what Lee’s family have been through.”
Lyn remembers being overwhelmed when she met Amanda. She said: “I gave her the biggest hug and no words were necessary.
"We just held each other and cried. She was just so full of love and warmth.
“I will be forever grateful that it was this remarkable woman who was with Lee at the end. Today we will celebrate Lee’s life 10 years on. He will never be forgotten, and neither will the amazing women who were there for him.
