Phil hits the campaign trail

Photo: Darren Robinson

Phil McClure: continue to honour his son’s memory.

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THE father of murdered soldier Lee Rigby is continuing to support the charity that was close to his son’s heart.

Next week Phil McClure, from Bardsley, will spend five days supporting a team of cyclists on a John O’Groats to Land’s End challenge to raise money for Help for Heroes.

Eddie Stobart truck driver Phil - whose 25-year-old fusilier son was wearing a Help for Heroes T-shirt when he was killed by Islamic extremists in London two years ago - says he is always looking for ways to honour his son’s memory.

He will start his fundraising campaign at one of his favourite Oldham venues, Whittles, on Friday.

Then he will drive a support vehicle on the leg between John O’Groats and Edinburgh.

“I just want to do all I can for Help the Heroes, because they’ve been there for us since Lee died,” he said.

Joint Whittles owner Martin Schofield says the venue is proud to be helping Phil and the charity — which helps wounded servicemen and their families.

“We had an amazing response when we hosted Phil’s Help the Heroes event here last year so we’re happy to do it again and provide whatever support we can.”

Phil said: “My employers have been so supportive and behind me 100 per cent. I can’t thank them enough.”

Eddie Stobart has even named one of the company’s trucks after Lee. The honour — all but one of its hundreds of trucks have women’s names — was bestowed at a special ceremony at the firm’s base in Northampton in front of Lee’s family.