Comic sounds off as walkers hit road in tragic MP’s constituency
GROUPS of walkers set off on treks to five corners of the UK last night on routes that will take them almost three weeks.
They departed from Batley and are due to arrive hundreds of miles later back in their own communities of Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, Cornwall and London on June 18.
In a project initiated by the Eden Project, the Great Big Walk will see the 15 walkers visit different community projects along the way and meet the local people and volunteers who help bring communities together.
The Great Big Walk is being backed by the family of the late MP Jo Cox and comedian Jo Brand who was in Batley yesterday to set the walkers off.
The comic was asked to be involved after completing a 135mile walk in a week last year for Sport Relief.
She told The Yorkshire Post: “They are all different events but fit together perfectly.
“I never met Jo but I admire any woman MP because I know how tough a job that is. But to have this unimaginable tragedy, you want to be able to support her views, carry forward her memory and it is really important to include stuff she was supportive of.
“The people of Batley have come out despite the weather to support the walk and seem pleased that the event is going on.”
The walkers will arrive home just in time to take part in the Great Get Together, set up by the friends and family of Mrs Cox to coincide with the first anniversary of her death.
Over the weekend of June 18 communities will come together for Big Lunch street parties, barbecues, football games and cake sale bake-offs.