Jo Cox annual event to be improvised amid coronavirus lockdown

Batley and Spenborough MP Jo Cox was murdered in 2016

In celebration of the Jo Cox Foundation's Great Get Together, a small corner of Cleckheaton that has been isolating during lockdown is planning to break the cycle of loneliness to help bring the community together.

The annual ‘Great Get Together’ in memory of the murdered MP Jo Cox is taking a new form because of coronavirus and Kirklees is showing how connections can still be made.

Jo Cox’s sister, Kim Leadbeater, said: “Over the past few months, we've seen an amazing response from communities around the UK to the Covid-19 epidemic.

Mark Craven, who has downs syndrome with a heart and lung condition

"It’s a reminder of Jo’s approach, one we have adopted at her Foundation, that wherever possible we should focus on what we can do, rather than what we can’t do.

"I think Mark’s plans in Cleckheaton are brilliant.

"They are a fantastic example of why we’ve decided that the Great Get Together, which has always been rooted in community, will go ahead – just in a slightly different way.”

Every year since her murder in 2016, thousands of people across the UK have got together to remember Jo Cox and her message that we all have more in common than that which divides us.

In 2020 the ‘Great Get Together’ will take a different form, but the weekend of Jo’s birthday between June 19 and 21 will still be an opportunity for people to connect with others in their communities.

Mark Craven, who has down’s syndrome with a heart and lung condition, has decided to bake muffins to help connect with neighbours, who have also been shielding during lockdown.

When Mr Craven offered to bake for the Great Get Together they found a socially distant way to meet in a garden and celebrate the connection that the three of them have and the power of community it brings.

Me Craven's mum, Dawn Robinson, said: “I thought it would be really nice to get these two ladies together who do enjoy a good chat, but don’t always have a reason to do it.

"Mark can do what he loves, which is baking and entertaining.

“It's particularly difficult, especially when you're shielding and we’ve relied a lot on relatives and neighbours.

"Trying to get people together, especially when they’re shielding it’s really difficult.

"But, we’re really looking forward to making cakes, and catching up.”

Catherine Anderson, CEO of the Jo Cox Foundation, said: "The Great Get Together is special every year - but perhaps even more so this year as we all find new and innovative ways to reach out to our friends, neighbours and to those in need in our communities, in extremely challenging times.

"Inspired by Jo, we want to make sure that our incredible Great Get Together family across the UK can continue to celebrate Jo's values, which resonate now more than ever before.

"Strengthened bonds and more connected communities will be one of the legacies of Covid-19, and we believe that experience of togetherness will outlast the present crisis and endure long into the future."

See what’s happening around the country or register a new event here: www.greatgettogether.org