Help for Heroes has refused to accept funds raised by the leader of the English Defence League in the wake of last week’s murder of Drummer Lee Rigby.

The JustGiving website page set up by Tommy Robinson after last week's incident in Woolwich has been shut down, following discussions between the online giving portal and the armed forces charity.

Help for Heroes does not wish to receive any of the £3,300 that had been pledged to the EDL leader’s planned 17-mile sponsored walk from Westminster to the murder location in south London, and the charity released a statement saying that it does not want support from any organisations that seek to use it to promote their own politics.

“This evening [yesterday], working with the assistance of JustGiving, we closed down a fundraising account which we believe the English Defence League intended to use to donate money to H4H,” said Bryn and Emma Parry, Help for Heroes’ co-founders.

“We acted swiftly to achieve this, and would like to make it clear that we will not accept donations from organisations who attempt to use Help for Heroes to promote their own political agenda.

“Like everyone, we were shocked by the murder in Woolwich. Like everyone, we just want to help our wounded servicemen, women, veterans and their families. We hope that everyone who cares passionately about this important issue shows that support in a unified and dignified way.”

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