NINE cyclists have raised nearly £4,000 in memory of murdered MP Jo Cox.
The group from Ilkley Cycling Club completed the 290-mile Jo Cox Way ride from Yorkshire to London in July, raising funds for the Jo Cox Foundation, a charity set up in her memory.
Aged between 32 and 80, the cyclists took on the five-day challenge, which included 13,000 feet of climbing, to support causes championed by Ms Cox, who was killed in 2016.
Sally Black, one of the cyclists, said: "Cycling such a long distance over five days is very challenging.
"But it gives the opportunity to raise money for a really useful cause.
"I’m proud I did it; when memories fade, hopefully Jo's memory will live on through the work the Foundation is continuing."
The Jo Cox Way is now in its 11th year and began just weeks after Ms Cox’s death.
It was inspired by her maiden speech in the House of Commons, in which she famously said, "we have more in common than that which divides us."
Starting at the Princess Mary Athletics Stadium in Cleckheaton, located in Ms Cox’s former Batley and Spen constituency, the ride finished in Southwark, central London.
On Saturday, seven of the Ilkley cyclists presented a cheque for £3,747 to Ms Cox’s parents, Jean and Gordon Leadbeater, and her sister Kim Leadbeater, who is now the MP for the Spen Valley.
The cyclists were Diane Anderson, 60, Judith Metcalf, 67, Alex Edwards, 32, Deborah Harrison, 66, Sally Black, 67, and Paul Harrison, 67.
Liz Burrows, 51, and Kath Lyons, 80, also completed the ride.
Ms Leadbeater said: "Perhaps the greatest tribute we can offer Jo is not merely to repeat her words, but to live by them, and show that we really do have far more in common than that which divides us.
"This is exactly what this bike ride does: women and men, young and old, from Ilkley and all over Yorkshire, from all over the UK and from around the world spend time together and real friendships grow.
"It's just a wonderful feeling of community, people coming together in that shared endeavour."
She said such events are what help the family cope with their loss.
Ms Leadbeater added: "It's 10 years since Jo was killed and we'll never ever get over that, but what's kept us going is events like this, and people like these cyclists."
More information about the Jo Cox Foundation can be found HERE.
Share