Bankside residents inspired by memory of late Jo Cox MP

By Regina Motalib

Bankside residents were full of jubilation at The Great Get Together Bankside event, hosted by Living Bankside and an array of partners – including popular local attractions such as Shakespeare’s Globe, Borough Market and Tate Modern.

Part of a nationwide series of activities inspired by the memory of the late Jo Cox MP, the highlight of the event was the arrival of more than 60 bike riders who cycled 280 miles from Yorkshire. The riders ended their five-day journey in Bankside and helped kick-off the Great Get Together.

Kim Leadbeater MP – sister of the late Jo Cox – and her parents, Jean and Gordon Leadbeater joined the Mayor and Mayoress of Southwark to give the riders a warm welcome.

Kim said: “It’s a very emotional day but we’ve developed a really great relationship with the people here in Bankside and appreciate so much how they’ve continued to host a fantastic Great Get Together this year.”

Messages of support came from Olympian Tom Daley, internet sensation Jackie Weaver, BBC broadcaster Martha Kearney, Met Police Commissioner Cressida Dick, LBC broadcaster Iain Dale and many others.

Amir Eden, executive chairman of Living Bankside, said: “The Great Get Together has become an important part of the Bankside calendar and we continue to take inspiration from the values of Jo Cox.

“We’ve established the More in Common group here in Borough and Bankside to become the tenth such group in the UK and the first in London.”