Soldier’s son boosts campaign
Jack Rigby was so thrilled by the work of Force Support, who transformed his bedroom and built him a playhouse in time for his fourth birthday, he wanted to invite them to his party.
The charity aims to help bereaved families by assisting with anything from small DIY jobs to redecorating.
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Hide AdSouthowram’s Rebecca Rigby, the fusilier’s widow and Jack’s mother, said: “Forces Support helped to make our house a home.
“They decorated Jack’s toy room, giving him an area he has since spent many hours of fun in. They are a relatively small charity and I feel they do not get the recognition they deserve.
“Forces Support not only helped Jack and I, but also helped Lee’s mum and step-dad and have been supportive to Lee’s dad and his wife and I really like the way all these parts of the family have benefitted from their support.
“We are truly grateful and really want to help give back. It’s a positive feeling helping others and knowing they will benefit in the same ways as we have. The work done really does take a weight off your shoulders and gives you one less thing to worry about.”
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Hide AdFronted by four-year-old Jack, whose father was murdered in 2013, and with some help from his mother, the family have started a GoFundMe page in the hope of raising £100,000 to start a second Forces Support team for one year which would cut its waiting list in half.
Bill McCance, who co-founded the charity in 2010, said: “As soon as we tell a family we are going to help them you can see the relief.
“For a lot of them there is no-one to do those jobs around the house.
“But because it can take eight months from then to actually doing the work, things can get a lot worse.
“So there is often a lot more work to do or sometimes people just can’t wait and they have to get a builder in.”