Drummer Lee Rigby’s brave 12-year-old son Jack has already smashed the £10,000 target he set himself to raise in his murdered dad’s name ten years after his killing.
And Piers Morgan has now personally added £1,000 to the total.
Jack was just two when the fusilier was killed by terrorists outside his barracks in Woolwich, south east London.
Yesterday, ahead of the anniversary of his death on May 22, he spoke publicly for the first time, telling the Daily Mirror of his “pride” in his dad and of his pledge to walk and run a marathon over the month of May in his name.
Just hours after we publicised his goal, moved supporters had already helped him surpass his target of £1,000 for every year since his dad’s death, with Piers tweeting: “Good luck Jack, and RIP Lee.”
All money will go to Scotty’s Little Soldiers, a charity which supports bereaved military children and young people.
Scotty's founder Nikki Scott said: “The team spoke to Jack earlier and he's quite emotional, he can't quite believe it, but it means the world and he's absolutely chuffed.
“The money will all go to helping bereaved military children just like him. It just shows him people are remembering his dad and showing their support to him which is just incredible, it's the boost he needs at this tough time of year.”
She added: “He set himself a target of raising 10,000 pounds and this morning we have watched the money rise and rise, it's been incredible. It's over ten thousand pounds already so I want to say a massive thank you to everyone who has donated already.
"I feel so proud of Jack, the fact this is the ten-year anniversary of his dad's murder which I know had a massive impact on the whole country. And to see Jack now, ten years on, raising money for Scotty's and wanting to do something positive at this time, which I know is a really tough time for him, is just incredible.
“Everyone is so behind him. Let's really get behind Jack and show him how much we care and raise as much as we can in memory of Fusilier Lee Rigby. I know this will have a really positive impact on Jack."
Exercise helps him cope with his grief, he explained.
Jack said: “I want to raise £1,000 for every year my dad has been gone and would absolutely love to raise £10,000 for the 10-year anniversary.
“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.”
His mum Rebecca, 40, Lee’s widow, said age has not been a barrier to pain for her young son.
The teacher from Halifax, West Yorkshire explained: “People sometimes think that, 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.”
She adds: “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 and he will always be part of his life.
“For me, Scotty’s is about knowing Jack’s not been forgotten. In the wider world, 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 it supports the chance to speak to others who are in the same position.”
Lee, just 25, who joined the Army in 2006 and was deployed to Afghanistan three years later, was killed 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 ‘Allah Akhbar’ – ‘God is great’ - and waiting for police to arrive.
They attempted to justify their actions as revenge for the deaths of Muslims in Afghanistan and elsewhere.
Later, as tributes mounted, among them lay one from Jack. It read: “My Daddy, my hero. Your memory will live on in me. You made me proud and I will miss you for eternity.”
After the killing the toddler was so traumatised lost the power of speech for months.
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.
Before sentencing, Rebecca’s victim impact statement highlighted how her son would be forced to learn the truth as he got older, and see “images of his dad no son should ever have to endure”.
Jack is determined to fundraise for Scotty’s in his dad’s name.
He happily discusses his walks so far with his mum and two dogs, a mile after school every day round a local park. One dog is named Scotty.
“Scotty is a black cockapoo,” says Jack. “We got him six years ago. He’s been doing the May Marathon with us and he loves it. He keeps up with us for one lap, but gets a bit tired if we do two.”
Of the support Scotty’s has given him, he says: “It helps to know I’m not the only one in my situation. And that there’s people I can reach out and talk to, whenever I need them.”
Scotty’s Little Soldiers is a tri-service charity dedicated to supporting children and young people (0 to 25 years) who have experienced the death of a parent who served in the British Armed Forces.
Please help Jack meet his target and raise £10,000 in honour of his dad Lee Rigby. Click here to show your support: Jack's May Marathon (Jack's May Marathon "smartCard-inline")
For more information about Scotty’s Little Soldiers, go to: www.scottyslittlesoldiers.co.uk (The Charity for Bereaved Military Children | Scotty's Little Soldiers)
