The mum of murdered soldier Lee Rigby this morning said she still talks to him every day, and leaves an empty place for him at the dinner table, and says she is sure he can hear her, explaining strange things that have happened in her home. Fusilier Lee Rigby was off duty when he was murdered near the Royal Artillery Barracks 10 years ago.
He was just 25. Lee was attacked by extremists Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale in Woolwich, south-east London on May 22, 2013
Adebolajo was given a whole-life term and Adebowale was jailed for a minimum of 45 years.
His mum, Lyn Rigby, appeared on GMB today to speak about her 10 years without her son. She explained to host Richard Madeley that she has a picture of Lee next to her bed, and speaks to him every morning. She said she can feel him hugging her at night, telling her to carry on.
Richard asked Lyn is she feels Lee can hear her when she speaks to him, and she replied that she is sure he can. She said things have flown off shelves in her home.
Richard said: "Do you ever have an instinct that somewhere he is hearing what you're saying?"
Lyn replied "Yes, most definitely. Things happen in the house, you know, things can fly off the windowsill or the mantlepiece.
"There's nothing to explain why this has happened. I do feel quite a warmth of a night time and I think that Lee's there, sat there next to me, you know, giving me a nice hug, telling me that he loves me and that 'you've got to carry on'."
Lee's son Jack, who was two years old when his father died as a result of multiple cut and stab wounds, took part in the Scotty’s May Marathon – a challenge in which people complete 26.2 miles throughout the month of May – and has already beaten his £10,000 target which was “to raise £1,000 for every year my dad has been gone”. He has raised £40,000
His mother Rebecca, 40, said: “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, who now lives in Halifax, West Yorkshire, is raising funds on behalf of Scotty’s Little Soldiers, a tri-service charity which has supported him and other children and young people aged up to 25, who are grieving the death of a parent who served in the British Armed Forces.
Jack had said he wanted to do the charity drive because “Scotty’s makes me feel proud” and the fundraiser would enable them “to continue to help me and hundreds of other children just like me”.
He added: “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.”
The Rigbys have used respite breaks organised by Scotty’s to take some time away and make new memories.
They have also attended a number of events, including taking part in the National Service of Remembrance and Scotty’s annual Christmas parties, where Jack has spent time with other children in his situation.
He has also been offered one-to-one bereavement support, and met the Duke of Sussex at a Buckingham Palace garden party in 2017.
Urging people to continue sending in their donations, Ms Rigby added in the video: “If you can’t make a donation, please share the posts with your friends and let’s just raise as much awareness and funds as we can for such an amazing charity because Scotty’s really do help.
“They have supported Jack since 2013 and continue to do so. Let’s do what we can to show them how grateful we are and that Lee has not been forgotten, and that we can do something positive in his name. Thank you.”
Fusilier Rigby was off duty when he was murdered near the Royal Artillery Barracks.
Adebolajo was given a whole-life term and Adebowale was jailed for a minimum of 45 years.
