COMEDIAN Eddie Izzard is to take part in a memorial event in Birstall later this month which is being organised in memory of murdered MP Jo Cox.

The Run For Jo event is taking place at Oakwell Hall and Country Park on Sunday, June 25, and organisers have confirmed that Mr Izzard, a keen marathon runner, will attend.

Julie Smith, of organisers More In Common (Batley and Spen), told the Telegraph & Argus: “When Jo was killed, we wanted to do something celebratory in her memory around the time of her birthday, which is June 22.

“We looked at various options and decided on a run.”

She added: “The run is a part of a number of events to celebrate our diversity and to create a legacy in Jo’s memory.”

Ms Smith, who first met Mrs Cox when she became the prospective Labour candidate for Batley and Spen, said the event would include a 2.5k family fun run and a 6.5k cross country challenge.

In addition there will be a mascot race in the afternoon, with mascots from Leeds Rhinos, Brake and Batley Bulldogs taking part.

And there will be a family fun day from 9am to 4pm, with music, entertainment and food stalls as well as art and craft stalls.

Batley Community Choir, which released charity single The Rose last year to raised funds for the Jo Cox Foundation, will also be singing.

Jo’s sister Kim Leadbeater, who is the chairman of More In Common (Batley and Spen) is filmed alongside Mr Izzard, both in red Run For Jo t-shirts, where he confirms he will take part.

Entry for either race can be done online at racebest.com, with entry £12 for the 2.5k run and £20 for the 6.5k run.

Other events the group is organising, include working with around 800 children in primary schools in Birstall and Batley, who will spend the day together and create a mural on the themes of diversity and having more in common.

Money raised will go towards the local More in Common group. Donations can be made by visiting uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/BatleyandSpen.

Mother-of-two Mrs Cox, 41, was killed outside a constituency surgery in Birstall on June 16 last year. She was shot and stabbed by neo-Nazi Thomas Mair, who was later handed a whole-life prison sentence for her murder.