In a post seen on the Lee Rigby Foundation Facebook page, his family has posted:
“This has been a stressful and heartbreaking time. Mr Thornley assured us that the arrangement was for life – that our foundation could use Lee Rigby House for free for families and soldiers until such time the charity was able to financially support itself and pay for rent, which was a very fair and kind deal. We would like to place on record our thanks for the opportunity given to us by Mr Thornley and wish him well with his future ventures.”
Six years on from his death, the legacy Lee Rigby’s family battled to leave for him is at risk as the donor of the home is facing significant external financial pressures. The Fusilier from Middleton was brutally murdered by two men in an Islamist terrorist attack in Woolwich, London on May 22, 2013.
The young father-of-one was killed just 200 yards away from his army barracks. His parents Lyn and Ian founded the Lee Rigby Foundation in his name to support other Forces families. They worked tirelessly to open the Lee Rigby House, in Staffordshire, as a permanent retreat for bereaved Forces families and veterans.
However they now need help to keep his legacy alive. The Kendo Nagasaki Foundation, founded by Peter Thornley, who donated the property are unable to continue with the agreement.
A spokesperson for the Kendo Nagasaki Foundation said: “Mr Thornley continues to fight for the cause to prevent Lee Rigby House being sold. While this fight continues, the Lee Rigby Foundation is free to continue to use the property as it sees fit.”
His family have set up a fundraising page to help save the Lee Rigby Foundation you can help by clicking below:
Lead Correspondent | David Clews is the Lead Correspondent for UNN, with over 20 years of political/campaigning experience and a wealth of social media and communication skills David gets to the heart of what is really important to the real people of the UK.
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