HUNDREDS of people attended an emotional musical concert on Saturday in tribute to Fusilier Lee Rigby, including his family.
About 400 people packed into Bolton’s Victoria Hall for a vareity of performances from The Band and Corps of Drums of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and the Manchester branch of the Scots Guards Association Pipes And Drums.
Fusilier Rigby, a drummer with the second battalion of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (2RRF) was killed in Woolwich, London, on May 22.
The Rotary clubs of Great Harwood and Rishton, Middleton, Rochdale East and Bolton organised the concert in aid of the Fusilier Aid Society — for Fusilier Rigby’s family — as well as the Fusilier Museum and Polio Eradication, one of Rotary’s chosen international charities.
The evening raised £3,000 for the causes.
Organiser Ann-Marie Etherington, from Rotary Club of Great Harwood and Rishton, said: “Fusilier Rigby was mentioned throughout the evening and there was a large photo of him on the stage. His younger sisters were given the photograph of him. It was quite an emotional night for both of them.
“As it came near to the finale, a 50-strong band were on stage playing Danny Boy and Amazing Grace. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room.” Lyn Rigby, Fusilier Rigby’s mother, stepfather and his sisters were in attendance.
She added: “Lynn found the second half of the evening the hardest as it featured the Corps of Drums, which is what her son used to do. That part was quite poigniant for her. She said she was glad she came but had found it quite difficult.”
The 25-year-old had been in the 2RRF since 2006.
Thousands of people turned out to pay their respects when his funeral was held at Bury Parish Church in July.
n Michael Adebolajo, aged 28, and Michael Adebowale, aged 22, have been charged with the soldier’s murder. They have both pleaded not guilty to the charges.
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