Celebration of life

FAMILY man . . . Lee with son Jack and (left) after his passing-out parade

THE family of murdered soldier Lee Rigby thanked the public for their “overwhelming support” ahead of his funeral today — and said his death had united the country.

Fusilier Rigby’s mother, step-father and widow said good wishes had flooded in from around the globe and across all religions in the past seven weeks.

The 25 year old had become “a hero” and the intentions of his killers had “backfired”, said his step-father Ian.

His wife Rebecca (30) added: “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, a young dad from Middleton, was killed as he returned to Woolwich barracks from the Tower of London on May 22.

His family were speaking in public for the first time since as they reflected on the thousands of goodwill messages they have received.

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

“We have had letters from the Prime Minister, from senior politicians from all parties, the Duke of Kent, from the Sikh community. Various large mosques and interfaith groups have been in touch with letters of condolences and such.”

Ian Rigby (54) added: “The support we have had from everybody has been incredible. At one stage for about three weeks we just couldn’t move for flowers in the garden.”