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Portsmouth joins the Great Get Together

By 17 June 2017No Comments

Local people are coming together across Portsmouth this weekend in celebration of the tremendous work of Jo Cox who tragically lost her life one year ago.
Jo Cox, who was brutally murdered last year, who worked tirelessly to unite communities, famously said in her maiden speech in the House of Commons that “We are far more united and have far more in common with each other than that which divides us”.
Jo’s family and friends came up with the initiative to encourage communities to host events, and teamed up with The Big Lunch as part of their annual celebration. As a result thousands of community-led events are taking place across the country run by volunteers involving millions.
Cllr Stephen Morgan, Labour MP for Portsmouth South, said:
“I wasn’t fortunate enough to meet Jo but I have heard so much about her from my new colleagues. She was a phenomenal parliamentarian and community activist dedicated to uniting our communities, and always advocating for those in need.
She inspires me, and many others, day in, day out, to work hard for a fairer, more equal and more tolerant country – and a city founded on hope, not fear. There was so much Jo wanted to do. It now falls on us all to support and serve others with dignity and respect”.
Today Stephen visited two events in celebration of Jo’s life. A picnic with live music took place at Canoe Lake organised by local resident Jodie Coles, and a rose planting ceremony in the Southsea Rose Garden organised by Southsea Greenhouse’s Sue Stokes.
IMG_0571Speaking at the events, Stephen said:
“In respect of Jo, and in support of our great city of Portsmouth, this weekend please take inspiration from Jo’s work and offer something back to our communities.
Be that volunteering your time, speaking to a neighbour or a loved one, or giving what you can to a local good cause, together let us all work together to build an even better city”.
On Sunday also attend Great Get Together events at Fratton Community Centre and a street party in Rochester Road, Southsea.