I will never forget the angels who comforted Lee as he lay dying
THE mother of executed soldier Lee Rigby has paid a heartfelt tribute to the three women who tried to help her dying son after he was attacked by terrorists 10 years ago today.
Lyn Rigby said: “The Angels of Woolwich stepped up for my son in a way I will never be able to repay.
“It should have been me that was there to protect him, to comfort him in his last moments on Earth, but I knew nothing about Lee’s murder until 12 hours later.
“These women are incredible, and I will remain in their debt for the rest of my life.”
Off-duty soldier Lee, 25, was hacked to death by two Jihadi extremists as he walked home to his barracks in South-East London.
Amanda Donnelly, Tina Nimmo and Ingrid Loyau-Kennet rushed to help him and save him from further harm.
Amanda lay down beside him and wrapped her arms around him to bring him comfort while Tina threw herself into the path of oncoming traffic to shield him from being run over.
Ingrid, from Cornwall, got off a stationary bus and confronted the killers, telling them they would lose their Jihadi war.
Lyn, who was pictured by her son’s grave, said: “They put themselves in terrible danger because they wanted to help a complete stranger in need. That takes enormous guts, and it shows how very special they are.
“They all just rushed in on instinct – a mother’s instinct that drove them to protect a young man in desperate need. Their humanity is everything.”
Paying tribute to former pub landlady Tina, who died on Friday following an illness, Lyn recalled her immense courage.
Tina and her daughter Michelle, from Woolwich, were among the first on the scene and witnessed Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale trying to behead Lee with meat cleavers and knives. Lyn said: “Tina was an exceptional woman who was brave and fearless, and she became a good friend.
“The horror of that day really affected her for the rest of her life and yet she always said she would do the same again in a flash.
“My heart goes out to her devastated family at her desperately sad loss, and I hope she rests in eternal peace.”
Last night Amanda, 54, relived the nightmare day of Lee’s death and insisted she would do what she did again in a heartbeat.
She said: “I can never forget lying there, holding Lee, trying to bring him some comfort. I’m a mum with children of my own and no one should be left to die in the street in such an undignified, callous manner.
“We live in a tough world and when I’m out there on the street I’m everyone’s mum, whoever they are.
“It was a truly horrendous day. Witnessing something so violent is not something you can ever forget. It’s always there. It will always be part of my life.
“But what I have suffered is nothing compared to what Lee’s family have been through.”
Lyn remembers being overwhelmed when she met Amanda.
She said: “I wanted to thank Amanda with all my heart. I gave her the biggest hug and no words were necessary. We just held each other and cried.
“She was just so full of love and warmth with the biggest smile, just like Lee.
“I will be forever grateful that it was this remarkable woman who was with Lee at the end.
“Today we will celebrate Lee’s life 10 years on. He will never be forgotten, and neither will the amazing women who were there for him.”