Lee Rigby: Family Thank Public For Support

The family of murdered soldier Lee Rigby has said he has become "a hero" and that the intentions of his killers have "backfired".

Fusilier Rigby's mother, stepfather and widow said good wishes had flooded in from around the globe and across all religions in the last seven weeks.

The 25-year-old's funeral is being held in Bury, Greater Manchester, after hundreds of people lined the streets to pay their respects to him on Thursday.

A short ceremony at the parish church was attended by Fusilier Rigby's family and friends and colleagues in the 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.

His two-year-old son Jack wore a Manchester United shirt emblazoned with his father's nickname 'Riggers'.

Ian and Lyn Rigby have been overwhelmed by the support they have received

His family gave an emotional news conference shortly after his death and have now spoken in public for the first time since, as they reflect on the thousands of goodwill messages they have received.

His wife, Rebecca, 30, said: "There are so many kind and generous people out there. It's just horrible that it takes something such as this to make you see how many good people there are."

Fusilier Rigby, from Middleton, Greater Manchester, was killed as he returned to Woolwich barracks from the Tower of London on May 22.

Michael Adebolajo, 28, and Michael Adebowale, 22, have been charged with murder and are due to stand trial at the Old Bailey on November 18.

Fighting back tears throughout her interview, Rebecca Rigby said: "We have had an awful lot of support from across the world. It has been overwhelming.

Lee Rigby's coffin is carried into the church in Bury

"We have had masses of cards, letters and donations from everywhere. It's unbelievable really the things that have been coming in."

His stepfather Ian Rigby, 54, said: "Everywhere we have been, people have been supporting us. They have been incredible with us. Total strangers.

"They have been absolutely incredible, coming up - not in your face but shaking hands and saying God Bless, that sort of thing. And they have really meant what they said to us.

"And it's the same in the community. The support in Middleton - it's a small place - but the support we have had off everybody has been incredible."

Mr Rigby added: "It's just the continued support. Lee has become a hero. Whatever the intention was it's backfired because it's made Lee into the hero and the martyr.

Rebecca Rigby with their son Jack on Thursday

"The country is united whatever elements may wish to stop it. It's not working because it's working the other way."

Clutching a Fusilier teddy bear, Lyn Rigby said her "fun-loving" son had "fulfilled his dreams" by serving in the Army.

"He was so loving, he really was," she said. "He would do anything for anybody. He had a heart of gold. He wouldn't hurt anybody."

Her husband said: "He was a devoted soldier. He loved what he was doing. He believed in what he was doing but he was still a family man.

"His (four) sisters and his son, he was devoted. Whatever happened they came first.

"His job meant the world to him, being in the Army. But his family still came first."

Asked about how Fusilier Rigby would like to be remembered at his service, Rebecca Rigby said: "Lee always wanted his service to be a time that people would remember him and shed the tears. But then he always said a remembrance of his life.

"He wanted people to enjoy that and sit and talk about happy days and happy memories they have got of Lee and the things he used to do and say because he was always so full of life.

"He just wanted to put a smile on everyone's face."

Mr Rigby said: "I think today should be a celebration of Lee's life, what he has meant to us.

"Lee was a fun-loving lad and that is how he should be remembered."

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