Parade to honour life of Lee Rigby

Lee Rigby

HUNDREDS are set to gather for a massive memorial service and parade to celebrate the life of murdered soldier Lee Rigby.

Family, friends, well wishers and supporters from across the UK are set to descend on Rochdale on May 22 for the third year to mark the life and sacrifice of the 25-year-old father-of-one, from Middleton, who died after being brutally attacked outside the Royal Artillery Barracks, in Woolwich, in 2013.

Organised by former army cadet pal Gavin Vitler and the charity he founded just after his friend's death, "Rigby's Guardians Bike Club", the event will begin at Rochdale Town Hall at 10am when over 500 bikers are expected to gather along with Lee's family, including mum Lyn and stepdad Ian, the Imperial Corps of Drums Liverpool, The Royal Regiment of Fusilier Drummers, local dignitaries and members of the public.

The bikers will then lead a procession at noon through Heywood and into Middleton for an on-foot parade to Middleton Memorial Gardens where a bronze drum and plaque was installed in honour Lee last year.

A service at 2pm will be led by military padre Reverend David Grey before wreaths are laid and thanks is given by his family and Gavin. Entertainment, refreshments and fund raising for Rigby's Guardians' affiliated armed forces charity, Rochdale SSAFA, will then be held at the Gardeners Arms pub, in Hollin Lane.

"We do this to keep Lee's memory alive," said Gavin (32).

"It's a sad occasion but it's also a happy time to celebrate the life of Lee.

"This is the third year we've done it and it gets bigger every time. Anyone is welcome to join us for this special memorial."