Centre set up in memory of murdered Middleton soldier Lee Rigby helps 'hundreds' of bereaved families

The family of murdered Middleton soldier Lee Rigby say the house they set up in his name is there for 'anyone' affected by the loss of a loved one.

Lyn and Ian Rigby opened Lee Rigby House last October.

The self catering house, in the grounds of a country estate in Staffordshire, gives families of fallen servicemen and women the chance to escape for a week or two for a short break.

Lee Rigby was killed in May 2013, when he was attacked outside his army barracks in Woolwich.

Five years on from his death and his mum, Lyn, told Key 103 setting up the Lee Rigby Foundation and Lee Rigby House in his name has meant his memory is living on an helping other families.

"It's just the peace and quiet here, you don't listen to the noise of the traffic, it's just the birds and the sounds of nature. For the last four years, on the anniversary of his death, I've just cried. But now I feel like I'm finally in a better place. This year I'll be here, working in the office and keeping this place running, it's a reminder of the kind and wonderful person he was."

The five year anniversary of Lee's tragic death is also one year since the horrific events of the Manchester Arena bombing.

Lyn says she was profoundly affected by what happened that day, and reached out to the family of one of the victims - Olivia Campbell:

"I knew exactly what Charlotte and Paul were going through, they lived locally to us and they were pleading to find Olivia because she hadn't heard from her. I knew what she was going through, because it was 12 hours before we heard that Lee had been killed so we just reached out to them to check on them."

Lyn now wants to extend Lee Rigby House to cater for more families, including a hydrotherapy pool and an arts centre to help families keep busy during a time of grief:

"It's something positive that's come out of such a terrible tragedy, and obviously we don't want Lee to be forgotten. He had a heart of gold and would do anything for anyone so that's we wanted to do this.

"I am becoming very proud of it because we've had a few families coming through the door and they've had positive results from being here for just a couple of days and it makes me happy to see that we can make difference to people's lives, in Lee's name.

"It's a legacy in Lee's name. He always said he'd be famous one day, that we'd see his name in lights, and it's just sad that his death turned out to be his name.

"Trauma affects your life so much, you're not the same person anymore and to not have the help out there to rebuild your life, it never goes away.

"It's like the mums, there's a bond, a special bond, because we've all been through the same thing. We all help each other out as best you can and that's what brings people together, that bond."