Tribute to the fallen

As an ex-soldier, I always feel a tug on my heart whenever one of our own troops lose their lives. I served a long time ago, and I don't necessarily agree with the UK's presence on foreign soil, but I unreservedly support our people who do that job.

I ran Dublin marathon last year to raise a few quid for Help for Heroes; a charity I feel is an incredibly worthy one.

The truly horrific even in Woolwich last week saw fanatical extremists - not Muslims - there is nothing advocating violence or hatred in Islam - brutally take the life of a young soldier on an open street in daylight, and unashamedly so.

A walk with the children today and we happened upon the town's war memorial and some pretty flower tributes and cards in memory of Drummer Lee Rigby.

And I don't think it was merely people 'jumping on the bandwagon'. Simply, when shocking events occur, our world becomes a little smaller, people become a little closer and hearts reach out however and wherever they are able to.