Get Together in memory of MP Jo Cox

The event, organised by John Healey MP and Linda McAvan MEP, will be held at their office, 79 High Street, on Friday from 10am to noon.

It is part of the Great Get Together, a series of neighbourhood celebrations over the next three days, is inspired by Jo Cox, the Batley and Spen MP who was murdered a year ago. 

Representatives from Age UK Rotherham will attend and, as well as tea, coffee and cakes available, there will be a raffle and tombola to raise money for the Jo Cox Foundation.

Mr Healey said: “Jo’s murder was shocking and deeply sad, but MPs have been determined to continue with local constituency business because being part of the community we serve is exactly what being an MP is all about — and this was just how Jo lived and worked. 

“We want to hold this community event to bring people together and honour Jo’s legacy.”

Ms McAvan said: “It is hard to believe a year has passed since Jo Cox was taken from us so tragically. 

“The Great Get Together gives us all the chance to come together and remember Jo — particularly her work combating loneliness with people across the community."

A Great Get Together event is also happening in Clifton Park tomorrow and will feature food, music, stalls and workshops, as well as a community art project.

The get-together will take place at Clifton Park bandstand from 10.30am to 3.30pm.

And at 1pm, the Mayor of Rotherham, Cllr Eve Rose Keenan, will lead guests in a minutes silence to remember the politician.

In a letter to MPs, Jo’s husband Brendan Cox said: “The plan is to mark the anniversary by asking communities and neighbours to come together, to share food and to celebrate what we hold in common.

“Jo’s killing was aimed at dividing us — and we can imagine no better response to that than a showing of unity.”

Before Mrs Cox was killed she had begun work on a cross-party campaign aimed at talking about and tackling loneliness, and after her death colleagues and family members set up a Commission on Loneliness.