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Lee Rigby’s son speaks of his father’s horrific murder for the first time as he smashes fundraising goal

Jack Rigby was just two years old at the time of his father's death in 2013.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 18th May 2023

The son of Lee Rigby, a British Army soldier who was brutally murdered 10 years ago, has spoken about his father’s death for the first time.

Jack, 12, has chosen to speak out as he fundraises for Scotty’s Little Soldiers, a charity that supports bereaved military children.

Lee Rigby‘s death in 2013 shocked the nation – he was run over and hacked to death by two extremists in broad daylight outside the 25-year-old’s barracks in south London.

Crumpsall-born Lee had been off duty when he was run over and attacked with knives and meat cleavers in front of horrified onlookers. 

Despite being only two years old, Jack was so traumatised by his father’s murder that he lost the ability to speak for several months, The Mirror reports.

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He was registered with Scotty’s charity ten years ago and is such a proud member that he even named his dog Scotty in its honour – and now, Jack is hoping to give something back to the charity, which supports so many children in harrowing situations like his. 

Lee Rigby / Credit: gov.uk

He has revealed plans to run a marathon distance over the course of the month of May, with a goal to raise £10,000 – a £1,000 for every year he’s grown up without his dad. 

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Jack has already smashed his fundraising goal, by quite a distance. At the time of writing, he has raised £13,800 for Scotty’s Little Soldiers. 

On his fundraising page, Jack wrote: “My dad Fusilier Lee Rigby was murdered on May 22nd 2013 when I was only 2 and a half years old. This year marks the 10 year anniversary, it’s never easy but this year feels even harder for some reason. 

“My mom registered me with Scotty’s in 2013 and I have been a proud member ever since. I have met other children that understand what it’s like to be in this position. I’ve had fun at the Scotty’s Christmas parties over the years and marched with Scotty’s through London on Remembrance Day which filled me with pride. I even named my dog Scotty after the charity.  

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“I now want to be able to give something back to Scotty’s and with your help donating we can help Scotty’s to continue supporting hundreds of bereaved military children just like me.”

You can make a donation to Jack Rigby’s fundraiser for Scotty’s Little Soldiers here. 

Featured Image – Jack Rigby (via Scotty’ss Little Soldiers)

News

Manchester locals appealing for more information over a month after from finding family member’s body

Danny Jones Danny Jones GMP appeal after body of Chorlton man found dead in bedroom

A Greater Manchester family are still calling for more information now over a month on from the discovery of a man’s body at his Chorlton home.

William Riddell, 49, was found dead in the bedroom of a property on Astbury Avenue at approximately 11:35pm on Sunday, 10 November after being found by his stepdaughter, Sarah Hayden.

Details surrounding his passing are still scarce but a 47-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder but has since been released on bail “pending further enquiries”, leaving Sarah and the rest of her family still none the wiser as to the exact nature of his death.

Preparing to spend their first Christmas without him, they have issued a desperate appeal for more information, urging anyone who might have information to come forward.

Riddell, more commonly known as Billy by those close to him, was described as a “good, caring man with a big heart” and a popular figure in the local area.

Speaking via Greater Manchester Police, Sarah, said: “I want to be Billy’s voice and get answers for him. Billy was a nice and lovely man and all the community knew who he was. He was well-liked and we gave him a good send-off at his funeral.

“I would just ask anyone who knew him or has any information to come forward and tell police. Even if you think it’s a little or small thing – please come forward. We just want to get to the bottom of what has happened.”

Detective Inspector Alex Wilkinson, who serves on GMP‘s Major Incident Team, added in an official statement: “The family of Billy deserve answers following his death and we are working hard to ensure they get exactly that.

“We have closely supported Sarah and the wider family over the last month, and we will continue to provide assistance wherever we can as they face their first Christmas without him.

“While a suspect has been bailed, we are still working flat-out to understand more about Billy’s life, the people he was close to, and events leading up to his death just over a month ago.”

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With that in mind, both GMP and Riddell’s family are asking anyone who might know anything or have information regarding people associated with Billy to come forward, reiterating that “even if you consider something to be small – your help could greatly benefit our investigation.”

You can contact police via 101 or by using the live chat function HERE, quoting log 3227 of 10/11/24.

Alternatively, you can contact the UK’s independent charity, Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Greater Manchester Police

News

Government aims to ‘turn the tide’ on homelessness with £1 billion funding boost

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Nearly £1 billion of funding is being pumped into Council budgets to help “break the cycle of spiralling homelessness” in 2025.

As part of the Government‘s wider ‘Plan For Change’, and in a bid to help tackle, reduce, and prevent homelessness next year, it’s been announced that more resources will be be made available for workers on the frontline who provide essential services to get rough sleepers off the street and into secure housing.

This significant investment means Councils will now be “better equipped” to step in early and stop households from becoming homeless in the first place.

According to the Government’s plans, these funded measures will include mediation with landlords or families to prevent evictions, helping homeless people find new homes, and providing deposits to access private renting. 

The funding will also be used to address the growing use of B&Bs and nightly-let accommodation, and the streamlining of funding structures to make it easier for Councils to spend their cash.  

Areas across the UK can also choose to channel resources into services such as Housing First.

Housing First has been massively successful in Greater Manchester, and has helped house hundreds of our region’s rough sleepers since it was first piloted, being described as “life-changing” along the way.

More than £633 million of the funding will be allocated for the Homelessness Prevention Grant – which is a £192 million increase from this year – while £185.6 million will go to the Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant, more than £37 million to the Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme, and £5 million will be for the Emergency Accommodation Reduction Pilots.

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This new £1 billion funding boost comes after it was announced back in September that Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions will be abolished in England next year as part of the landmark Renters’ Rights Bill.

It will also look to support the Government’s ambition to deliver the biggest increase in social and affordable housing in a generation – with an extra £500 million ploughed into the Affordable Homes Programme to build tens of thousands of affordable homes across the country.  

Featured Image – Gary Knight (via Flickr)

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