Heartwarming second son, 13, of murdered soldier Lee Rigby wins a Delight of Britain award – after teenager raised £107,000 in tribute to his father

The son of murdered Fusilier Lee Rigby has gained a Pride of Britain Award after elevating greater than £107,000 in a tribute to his father.

In a crime that shocked the nation, Fusilier Rigby, 25, was mowed down near his military barracks in Woolwich, southeast London after which hacked to dying with a meat cleaver in Might 2013.

His son, Jack, who was solely two years outdated on the time of his father’s horrific homicide has solely not too long ago spoke publicly concerning the impression it has had on him.

This yr, the now 13-year-old schoolboy from Halifax, West Yorkshire, determined he wished to boost £250 by strolling a marathon to mark the tenth anniversary of his father’s dying.

Nevertheless, after a flurry of donations, he determined he would hike his goal to £1,000 however has smashed his goal by elevating greater than £107,000.

As celebrities cheered for Jack on the awards ceremony, a guard of honour of Royal Fusiliers, his father’s regiment, stood behind him.

Jack was handed his award by Good Morning Britain presenters Susanna Reid and Ben Shephard.

Alongside was athlete Katrina Johnson Thompson and rapper Aitch, who high-fived Jack.

The schoolboy advised the Mirror: ‘It feels unbelievable. It does really feel like I am dreaming.

‘I assumed my dad becoming a member of the army was an act of braveness and he was very sturdy to do it.

‘We walked miles and talked about my dad. It was a approach for me to recollect him in a constructive approach at a tough time. 

‘Ten years with out having him right here has not been simple, however he won’t ever be forgotten and can at all times be part of my life.’

His mom, Rebecca, added: ‘Clearly I’m immensely pleased with him. Of all the pieces he has carried out.’ 

Jack Rigby has gained the Delight of Britain award for his fundraising efforts in tribute to his father

Jack raised £55,000 by means of his marathon’s fundraising web page, and donations on the Delight of Britain occasion pushed this quantity over the road of his goal

Jack was handed his award by Good Morning Britain presenters Susanna Reid and Ben Shephard

This marks the tenth yr for the reason that dying of Fusilier Rigby, who was a drummer and machine-gunner within the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers

Jack’s mom, Rebecca, advised Good Morning Britain: ‘I’ve at all times mentioned I did not need what occurred to outline Jack’s life and I wished him to stay the childhood he deserved to stay.

What occurred to Lee Rigby: Contained in the brutal homicide of British Fusilier by terrorists Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale 

Fusilier Rigby holding Jack as a child

Fusilier Rigby was run over and stabbed to dying in broad daylight whereas strolling in direction of his barracks in Woolwich, south-east London in 2013.

The assault was carried out by Isis extremists Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale, who reportedly picked the solider out at random. He was off-duty and sporting civilian garments on the time. 

The daddy-of-one died on account of a number of reduce and stab wounds within the assault fuelled by Adebowale and Adebolajo’s extremist beliefs – described as a ‘betrayal of Islam’ at their homicide trial in 2014.

It’s understood they anticipated to be ‘martyrs’ and to be killed by police on the scene. As a substitute, they got life sentences for Fusilier Rigby’s killing.

‘I wished him to go on and do one thing good. I by no means dreamed that he would increase this sum of money for charity.’

Final evening, the teenager was gained Younger Fundraiser of the 12 months on the Delight of Britain Awards.  

By the point of the ceremony, Jack had raised £55,000 – however after listening to his touching story, Jack managed to just about double the quantity, with an entire host of celebrities together with Dragons Den star Duncan Bannantyne donating.

The cash was raised for the charity Scotty’s Little Troopers, which helps bereaved army youngsters.

His mom Rebecca mentioned the pair initially got down to increase £250,  however quickly went on to boost it to £1,000 which additionally they ‘smashed’.

Jack’s mom added: ‘We had been completely astonished on the quantity he was elevating.’

It was then they determined to strive increase £10,000. This could be £1,000 for yearly Jack had been with out his father.

However they by no means thought they might meet this quantity.

Jack wrote on his fundraising page: ‘My dad Fusilier Lee Rigby was murdered on Might twenty second 2013 after I was solely two and a half years outdated.

‘This yr marked the ten yr anniversary, it is by no means simple however this yr felt even more durable for some cause.

‘This actually helped me to focus on one thing constructive at a really tough time whereas serving to this wonderful charity.

‘In Might I took half within the Might marathon, taking up 26.2 miles throughout the month of Might. 

‘Extra not too long ago I’ve taken half in Scotty’s March with my mother, Rebecca. We walked 10K to boost funds for Scotty’s.

‘My mother registered me with Scotty’s in 2013 and I’ve been a proud member ever since. I’ve met different youngsters that perceive what it is wish to be on this place.’

Jack was so shocked by his father’s sickening dying when he was youthful that he misplaced the power to talk for months.

However now he says train helps him to deal with the grief.

His web page learn: ‘I’ve had enjoyable on the Scotty’s Christmas events through the years and marched with Scotty’s by means of London on Remembrance Day which stuffed me with satisfaction.

‘I even named my canine Scotty after the charity. I now need to have the ability to give one thing again to Scotty’s, and together with your assist donating we may help Scotty’s to proceed supporting tons of of bereaved army youngsters identical to me.’