Teachers order boy, 10, to remove Help for Heroes wristband

Drummer Lee Rigby was murdered by Islamic extremists last year

Teachers ordered a boy, 10, to remove his Help for Heroes wristband worn in memory of Lee Rigby ‘because it might cause offence’.

 

The schoolboy refused to take off the charity rubber band, made to honour fallen soldiers.

Charlie Tew, was then put ‘on report’ at Maldon Primary School for the infraction.

Charlie wore the wristband – bought at the Colchester Military Festival – in honour of murdered solider Lee Rigby and service personnel in his family, including his great-granddad and uncle.

Mother Tracy Tew, 38, was shocked about what happened and says: “We are really proud of Charlie for sticking to his guns. He wanted to keep it on and he didn’t agree with the reasons why he shouldn’t.”

The mother of two, a domestic service assistant at a hospital, added: “When the teacher said she was worried it was going to offend people, I thought it was disgusting. Our family are up in arms because we are all military minded.

 “With what happened with Lee Rigby, Charlie really wanted to wear a wristband.”

Drummer Rigby, 25, was killed by two Islamic fanatics in Woolwich, south-east London, in May of last year. Michael Adebolajo, 29, and Michael Adebowale, 22, were jailed for the soldier´s murder last month.

Terry Sutton, president of the Royal British Legion in nearby Colchester, said he has never heard of anyone taking offence to wristbands supporting military charities.

He said: “It’s hard to see how the band would cause offence, except, I suppose, to the radical Muslim community. I don’t think that will be a problem in Colchester and in its surrounding area.

“Help for Heroes bands are something young people in particular have latched onto and it’s great, as a former serviceman, to see them showing their support.”

Maldon Primary School headteacher Tracy Thornton insisted wearing wristbands is against the jewellery policy. She said children are not allowed to wear jewellery ‘except small silver studs and watches’.

Ms Thornton said the policy is in keeping with health and safety, as jewellery items could get caught.

‘I can’t comment on what one particular teacher said, but for the general perspective of the school, the children are not allowed to wear jewellery except small silver studs and watches, which have to be taken off for PE.’

 

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Comments


    • Roy Peters

      12 March 2014 • 18:50

      More PC madness. Its time these people were put in their place – the nuthouse.

    Comments are closed.