Fusilier Lee Rigby remembered on fifth anniversary of brutal murder

22 May 2018 marks the fifth anniversary since Middleton Fusilier Lee Rigby was brutally murdered in a vicious attack when he was off duty.

25-year-old Fusilier Rigby was stabbed to death outside the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich, south London, while off duty, in May 2013.

His killers, Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale, were sentenced to life in prison in December 2013 after they were found guilty of his murder.

Speaking on Tuesday (22 May), his mum, Lyn Rigby said: “As we remember Lee on this milestone anniversary, thank you to every single person who has shown love and support to us as a family and help in making the foundation such a success, in particular Kendo Nagasaki and our Foundation team for making my charity dreams a reality.

“Five years since losing Lee, I now spend my days working at the foundation to bring comfort to others. And my guiding force is still Lee.”

Lyn continued: “Before Lee was killed, I was just so thrilled as he was the happiest I had ever known him, and he adored his young son Jack. He was so proud to be a soldier in the British Army and was devoted to me, his dad Ian and his beloved sisters Sara, Chelsea, Courtney and Amy.

“When the sun rose on 23 May, my boy was gone forever and my life was never to be the same again. Unable to even lift my head from my pillow, I thought I was going to die of a broken heart.

“It's been five long years and by some miracle, I'm still here. I've cried an ocean of tears, stayed awake too many nights to remember just sobbing for Lee and wishing someone would take the pain away and make things different.

“Time doesn't heal but it changes the way you see the world and I became determined that my grief wasn't going to claim my life too.  I was so determined that the world should never forget Lee and I have worked so hard to build a legacy fitting for my Lee.

“There lies the magic of the Lee Rigby Foundation which has saved my life alongside my dearest husband Ian and my amazing girls. It has given me hope and purpose by channelling my hurt and pain into helping others who have suffered through loss too. And it's all been in Lee's name which makes me proud beyond belief.”

She added: “Today we shall take time as a family to remember Lee. We will cherish every memory, the laughter, jokes and boisterous noise so sadly missing from our lives today. But in this new silence that is my life today, I will still hear my son's voice in my head telling me how much he loves me and urging me to keep going.

“I love you Lee and rest in peace until we meet again. I hope we have all made you as proud as we are of you.

“Please remember my son Lee on his fifth anniversary and raise a glass with us to him in his honour so he is never forgotten. Our thoughts and love today will also remember the 22 fallen angels and their families of the Manchester Bombing one year ago today.”