Sister of Brit soldier Lee Rigby is tackling two half-marathons in his memory – 12 years after brutal killing
THE sister of British soldier Lee Rigby is tackling two half-marathons in his memory – 12 years after he was brutally killed by extremists.
Courtney Rigby will be taking part in the Great South Run on October 19 and the Alton Towers Half Marathon on November 16.
Fusilier Lee, 25, from Middleton, Greater Manchester, was murdered by Islamist terrorists Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale on May 22, 2013, as he returned to his barracks in Woolwich, South East London.
They were jailed for life in 2014.
As well as the gruelling runs, there are other fundraising events taking place in aid of the Lee Rigby Foundation which supports bereaved military families.
It includes holiday caravans which provide much-needed retreats and respite care.
Courtney, 24, who had a baby girl Josie in August 2023, said: “Since the Great South Run was cancelled last year, I feel like a run is owed and whilst I’m not sure I could manage a marathon just yet, I will be running the Alton Towers Half Marathon not long after the Great South.
“We lost Lee 12 years ago now and the place it left our family in was something nobody should ever have to experience.
“My daughter will never get to meet her Uncle Lee, but will know him through stories and other people and will see what his memory means in the fundraising done with him in mind.
“The Foundation has been going from strength to strength gaining more caravans and the more money raised means more retreats and more support for more families. Anything you can give is greatly appreciated.”
Before Courtney’s half-marathons, next weekend, hundreds of riders will remember Lee and fellow soldier Scott Hetherington in the Combined Lee Rigby / Scott Hetherington and The Armed Forces Memorial Ride 2025.
The annual event is held in memory of Lee and Scott, who was killed in Iraq in 2017 when he was accidentally shot by a fellow soldier.
This year’s ride will start at 11am from Asda Rochdale on Sunday, May 18, with motorcycle and scooter riders from across the country taking part.
They will pass through Heywood and into Middleton Memorial Gardens for a memorial service.