Lee Rigby’s son has spoken for the first time about his father’s murder in 2013 and how he will be running a marathon in his memory.
After the murder of drummer Lee, of the Royal Fusiliers, his son, Jack, matured into a baby and was unable to speak for several months due to the trauma.
When he was only two years old, he made a touching statement at his father’s funeral while wearing a T-shirt that read ‘My Daddy, My Hero’.
Ten years later, Jack, now 12, has told the tale The mirror that sports help him ‘distract’ from his grief.
“Going for a long walk is a nice break and reminds me it’s not all bad,” he explained.
Lee Rigby’s son, Jack, (pictured together) has spoken for the first time about his father’s 2013 murder and how he will complete a marathon in memory
Fusilier Rigby, 25, (pictured) was run over and stabbed to death in broad daylight as he walked towards his barracks in Woolwich, South East London
Jack said he will walk and run the May marathon to raise money for the Scotty’s Little Soldiers charity, which supports bereaved military children.
He completes the marathon over the course of a month and hopes to raise £10,000 to mark the 10th anniversary of his father’s death.
Jack’s mother, Rebecca, 40, told the paper: ‘Just because Jack was young doesn’t mean he’s forgotten about Lee.
“He wants to show how, even though he grew up without Lee, he hasn’t forgotten his father.”
Fusilier Rigby, 25, was run over and stabbed to death in broad daylight as he walked to his barracks in Woolwich, southeast London.
The attack was carried out by ISIS extremists Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale, who reportedly selected the soldier at random because he was off duty at the time and was wearing civilian clothes.
A child’s father died as a result of multiple cuts and stab wounds following the attack, fueled by Adebowale and Adebolajo’s extremist beliefs – described as a “betrayal of Islam” during their 2014 murder trial.
The killers allegedly expected to be killed on the spot by armed police and hoped to be ‘tortured’.
Instead, they were injured, arrested, and stood trial for Lee’s murder, where they both received life sentences.
Jack’s mother, Rebecca, 40, (pictured together at Lee’s funeral) said: ‘Just because Jack was young doesn’t mean he’s forgotten about Lee. He wants to show how, even though he grew up without Lee, he hasn’t forgotten his father.’
Fusilier Lee Rigby’s wife Rebecca carries their son Jack from Bury Parish Church after attending the start of an overnight vigil on July 11, 2013 in Bury, England
The father of one child grew up on the sprawling Langley estate in Middleton, near Rochdale, and attended nearby Middleton Technology School.
His mother, Lyn Rigby, said earlier this month that she still leaves a seat at the dining table empty for her son.
Meanwhile, killer Michael Adebolajo was in jail last year barred from attending yoga sessions because bosses feared he would “spread extremist views” to other participants during classes.
‘He was gutted. He thought yoga would relax him and improve his mental well-being,” a prison source said The sun.
Fusilier Rigby’s son is now hoping to raise money for the charity that has helped him come to terms with his father’s tragic death.
Jack has already taken some walks with his mother and his dogs at a local park, adding that his black cockapoo, Scotty, can only complete one lap.
The charity Scotty’s, after which Jack’s dog is named, has enabled him to meet other children who have experienced a similar tragedy.
Donate to Jack’s fundraising marathon here.