Lee Rigby’s 12-year-old son has spoken out for the first time since his dad was murdered in 2013.
Jack Rigby was just two-years-old when Fusilier Lee Rigby was killed by Islamic extremists outside his barracks in Woolwich, south London, in 2013.
Jack is marking the 10th anniversary by fundraising for the charity Scotty’s Little Soldiers, which supports bereaved military children.
He will walk and run a marathon over the course of the month and told the Mirror: “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.
“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.”
His mother, Rebecca Rigby, said Jack wanted to show “how even though he’s grown up without Lee, he’s not forgotten his dad”.
She added: “People think 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.”
Fusilier Rigby, an Afghanistan war veteran, was hit by a car and hacked to death in broad daylight near the military barracks in Woolwich.
His two killers, Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale, are currently serving life sentences.
In Mrs Rigby’s victim impact statement at the sentencing, she said: “I know my son will grow up and see images of his dad that no son should have to endure and there’s nothing I can do to change this.”
She told the Mirror that Scotty’s Little Soldiers made sure Jack never felt forgotten.
The charity has provided the family with respite breaks and invites to parties with other children who have lost military parents.
“It helps to know I’m not the only one in my situation,” Jack said.
“And that there’s people I can reach out and talk to, whenever I need them.”