The brutal murder of soldier Lee Rigby this week has led to a sharp rise in donations to Help for Heroes – so much so its website is 'struggling to cope'.

The armed forces charity released a statement today describing the support as “overwhelming” and asked the public to remember Rigby’s family in the aftermath of the tragedy in south London.

“Since the sad news emerged that a serving soldier had been murdered in Woolwich, Help for Heroes has been overwhelmed with people spontaneously showing their support for the armed forces,” the statement reads.

“Our website is struggling to cope with this overwhelming reaction from the British public, some of whom are choosing to buy T-shirts and hoodies."

The news of the charity's struggle prompted national newspaper The Telegraph to write a piece outlining alternative donation methods, which included texting the word "HERO" to 70900 to give £5; calling the donations team on 01725 514130 or emailing [email protected] and leaving your contact details.

Help for Heroes advised that: “All funds we receive will be used to provide direct, practical support to those affected by their service to our country.
 
“We ask all our volunteers, fundraisers and donors to remember Lee Rigby’s family, colleagues and friends.”

Cameron: ‘We will never give in’

Prime Minister David Cameron yesterday gave a statement to media outside Downing Street about the death of the serving soldier.

“The people who did this were trying to divide us,” he said. “They should know: something like this will only bring us together and make us stronger."

Cameron went on to say that the country will be “absolutely resolute” in its stand against violent extremism and terror, and will "never give in".

“This view is shared by every community in our country,” he continued. “This was not just an attack on Britain and on our British way of life – it was also a betrayal of Islam and of the Muslim communities who give so much to our country.

"There is nothing in Islam that justifies this truly dreadful act.”

Video footage of one of the assailants sees the man, named as Michael Adebolajo, tell the camera: “We swear by the almighty Allah that we will never stop fighting you, until you leave us alone. We must fight them as they fight us – an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.”

Muslim groups speak out against attack

Muslim community groups and charities have spoken out against Wednesday’s incident.

Manwar Ali, from Islam charity Jimas, is quoted in the national press saying:

“We don’t understand how this can be justified in the name of Islam and Muslim, but I do understand why people are blaming Muslims and holding Islam responsible because many of these crimes are committed in the name of Islam.

“We disown these people and this shows enough is enough. Myself and others should work very hard now to address these problems in our communities.”

And the Muslim Council of Great Britain said that it condemns the attack, calling it “truly barbaric”, with “no basis in Islam”.

“Our thoughts are with the victim and his family," its statement reads. "We understand the victim is a serving member of the armed forces. Muslims have long served in this country's armed forces, proudly and with honour.

“We call on all our communities, Muslim and non-Muslim, to come together in solidarity to ensure the forces of hatred do not prevail.”

Mosques targeted in aftermath

The Council also expressed anxiety that the murder will heighten tensions on the streets of the United Kingdom.

Two men are reported to have been charged last night for aggressive action towards mosques: a 45-year-old Kent man for criminal damage and burglary, and a 43-year-old man in Essex for attempted arson.

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