L I V E 2 4 -SE V EN
Lyn, it’s been five years since you lost your beautiful son in such an horrific way, and with the anniversary comes the expansion of the Lee Rigby Foundation to support victims of UK terrorism and their families. Why did you choose to expand the scope of the foundation? The day of Manchester bombing was the fourth anniversary of Lee's death and we had got together as a family. My daughter Courtney was the first to hear about the Manchester bombing. As the news came through it was clear that it was a sad and terrible reminder of how the news coverage of Lee's death had played out and my heart went out to the victims and their families. There was a lady pleading for knowledge of her daughter's whereabouts called Charlotte Campbell who I felt compelled to help. I cried for those families all night.
As the events unfolded it was clear that there was little or no support for the families of the victims. I had to reach out to them. The first thing we did as a family was to get in touch with Charlotte (Campbell). I took her flowers and my daughters Courtney and Amy took gifts for her children; we have stayed in touch ever since. As it turned out, Charlotte had been a supporter of the Lee Rigby Foundation.
It became obvious to me this year that the families of victims of domestic terrorism also need help and so we increased the charity's objectives to include them too.
Lee Rigby House was completed this year; that must have been quite an emotional milestone, on the one-hand there’s the elation in finishing the house, but also a reminder of your loss? Actually, the journey to the completion of Lee Rigby House was a long one and there were times when I didn't think the house would ever get built. I had to register the Lee Rigby Foundation with the Charity Commission and then find the right home for it. It took years. Lee Rigby House was built with the help of hundreds of big-hearted volunteers who helped us rebuild what was a dilapidated house into the most beautiful, well-appointed home.
Lee Rigby House has four bedrooms, two sitting rooms, a fabulous kitchen, several TVs and free internet access. I am immensely proud of it. We completed Lee Rigby House last October and took in our first guests this May. It is absolutely free for former
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