Royal Fusilier Lee Rigby’s son, Jack, marks the 10th anniversary of his dad's death
Scotty's Little Soldiers' Member Jack Rigby has marked the 10th anniversary of his father, Royal Fusilier Lee Rigby's death, by raising over £100,000 for bereaved military children and young people. Recognised for his incredible fundraising efforts for Scotty's Little Soldiers, 13-year-old Jack and his mum, Rebecca, attended the prestigious Pride of Britain Awards ceremony at London’s Grosvenor House hotel, where Jack picked up the Good Morning Britain Young Fundraiser of the Year award.
On the 22nd of May 2013, Royal Fusilier Lee Rigby was murdered on the way to his barracks. His son, Jack Rigby, was just two years old. Since his dad’s death, Jack, now 13, has been supported by Scotty’s Little Soldiers, the charity for bereaved military children and young people. In honour of his hero, Jack had hoped to raise £10,000 for each year his father has been gone to support other bereaved military children, just like him.
Jack Rigby holding a photo of his dad Lee Rigby
Winning a Pride of Britain Award
Jack’s ambition was to raise £100,000 for Scotty’s, as the charity means so much to him. After two fundraising challenges for Scotty's Little Soldiers, his fundraising page reached £55,000 thanks to overwhelming support from the British public. He was presented with a Pride of Britain Award but on the evening, hosts Carol Vorderman and Ashley Banjo also surprised Jack with donations from TSB, Pride of Britain and Go Fund Me, plus £12,000 from generous Daily Mirror readers. Dragon’s Den star Duncan Bannatyne was in the audience and boosted Jack’s funds with an incredible £20,000, taking the total to over £107,000.
Scotty Member Jack Rigby with his Young Fundraiser of the Year Award. Photo: Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards
“I can’t quite believe everything that has happened. It feels like a dream. Scotty’s has always been there for me and I wanted to give something back. I thought the fundraiser would be a good way to do something positive in Dad’s name. I never expected to raise so much, and I never imagined I’d win an award and get the chance to meet so many incredible people. It means a lot to me and I’m so grateful to everyone who has showed their support. I’m so happy that I’ve helped to raise funds and awareness for Scotty’s.” – said Jack
Marking 10 years since Lee Rigby's death
13-year-old Jack Rigby marked the 10th anniversary of his father's death on 22nd May. Turning his pain into something positive, the Scotty Member decided to take on the charity's annual May Marathon challenge and set himself a fundraising target of £1,000 for every since since his dad has been gone.
“I feel proud doing the May Marathon in honour of my dad,” said Jack. “It also helps distract me from everything. Going on a long walk is a nice break and reminds me it’s not all bad.”
Lee Rigby in April 2011 with son Jack, age 7 months
May Marathon – fundraising for Scotty's Little Soldiers
Thanks to overwhelming support from the public, Jack raised over £54,000 for Scotty's Little Soldiers by completing the virtual challenge of 26.2 miles throughout May.
Jack said, "It means more than any of you would know. Just to know that we are helping hundreds of other bereaved children just like me in my dad’s name.”
Jack and his mother, Rebecca, shared a thank you video. Rebecca said: "This is just a quick video to thank everybody who has shared or donated to Jack’s fundraiser. 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 and Lee Rigby in Tenerife when Jack was 10 months old
Remembering Lee Rigby, a father and husband
His mum, Rebecca, said: “With it coming up to the anniversary, Jack wanted to do something positive in memory of his dad. Jack 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. 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,” continues Rebecca.
Jack attending BBC One's Festival of Remembrance and the National Parade of Remembrance with Scotty's Little Soldiers
Meet Scotty, Jack's dog, named after Scotty's Little Soldiers
For May Marathon, every day after school, Jack and his mum walked over a mile around a park near their home. They were joined on the journey by their two dogs, one of which is called Scotty. Jack named Scotty himself, chosen because of the charity that supports him.
“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.”
Jack Rigby with his dog, Scotty
Favourite memories with Scotty's Little Soldiers
Jack and Rebecca have been on respite breaks organised by Scotty's, giving them a much-needed opportunity to take some time away and make new happy memories.
They have also attended a number of events, including taking part in the National Service of Remembrance alongside other Scotty members.
Jack has also enjoyed attending Scotty's annual Christmas parties, which give him an opportunity to meet and have fun with other children who understand what it's like to experience the death of a parent who served in the British Armed Forces.
Jack pictured with a group of Fusiliers at BBC One's Festival of Remembrance
Visiting Buckingham Palace and Christmas Parties
“The thing that I’ll always remember is when we went to Buckingham Palace and I met Prince Harry,” says Jack, who visited the palace in 2017, along with other Scotty members, for a garden party honouring children whose military parent died.
“He’d asked if he could meet us, which was a little bit surreal,” says Rebecca. “He was really nice, seemed very genuine and could relate to what Jack was going through, as he’d been through a similar experience himself.”
She continues: “I thought Jack’s favourite memory would be the snowball fights at Scotty’s Christmas parties! I think a few people have learnt to keep their distance when he starts making them.”
“I just like to add some excitement to the end of the party,” laughs Jack.
Jack enjoying a break at Blackpool organised by Scotty's
Scotty’s Little Soldiers' impact
Jack joined Scotty’s Little Soldiers in 2013 and has been supported by the charity ever since, benefitting from Scotty Breaks, grants such as Scotty’s Allowance, Christmas parties with other bereaved military children and the option to access to one-to-one bereavement support.
Rebecca says: “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.”
Jack remembering his dad Lee Rigby
The impact of Scotty's Little Soldiers' events
She continues: “When we were on the train down from London after the Scotty’s Christmas party a few years ago, we were sat opposite an elderly couple who asked Jack about his Scotty’s t-shirt. Jack then sat there telling them all about Scotty's for the best part of the journey, about how amazing they are and what they do for all the boys and girls he’d just been throwing snowballs at.”
“Scotty’s makes me feel proud,” says Jack. “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.”
Jack remembering his father, Fusilier Lee Rigby
Scotty’s founder, Nikki:
“Jack is an incredible young man. He's been through so much and we are just glad that Scotty's has been able to support him. Throughout a child’s life there can be many trigger points where they will need a little extra support with their bereavement so we will continue to be here for him to ensure he knows he's not alone. We are honoured that Jack is raising funds for Scotty's to mark the anniversary of his dad's death. He's raised an incredible amount for the charity and this money will make a real difference to the lives of other bereaved military children.”
Jack Rigby with charity founder, Nikki Scott
Supporting bereaved military children
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.
Inspired by the experience of Army widow Nikki Scott, following the death of her husband Corporal Lee Scott in Afghanistan in 2009, the charity, which was set up in 2010, provides support and guidance to hundreds of bereaved military children and young people throughout their childhood.
Scotty’s currently has over 600 members and services offered include access to child bereavement support, guidance to parents and carers, personal education and learning assistance (including grants), and fun activities such as holiday respite breaks and group events. These are all designed to remind the children and young people supported by Scotty’s that they are not alone.
Scotty Members attending the London Remembrance Parade
