A STOKESLEY businessman is to be joined by Jo Cox's sister on a cycle ride celebrating the life of the late MP.

She will be joining 50 other cyclists who will pedal 285 miles from the politician's former constituency in West Yorkshire to London to celebrate her zest for life and passion for people and communities.

The ride, known as The Jo Cox Way, is now in its third year and was founded by North Yorkshire businessman, Sarfraz Mian, chief executive of the Stokesley-based equestrian company Neue Schule.

It raises funds for the Jo Cox Foundation and More in Common, charities set up to advance the causes championed by Jo.

The five-day ride begins in Jo’s Batley & Spen constituency on Wednesday, July 25, when the group of amateur cyclists sets off from Princess Mary Stadium, Cleckheaton. They will arrive at Bankside, Southwark, London, four days later.

Sarfraz Mian said: “Kim has supported us from the very beginning and I am thrilled that she is now getting on her bike to join us.”

“I never knew Jo, but I consider it a real privilege to be able to help continue the work that she was so passionate about.

“We are all extremely proud to wear the '#moreincommon' wording on our jerseys. This was taken from Jo's maiden speech in the House of Commons when she said, ‘We are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us.’

"The Jo Cox Way is our tribute to her life, her beliefs and the spirit of community that exists throughout the country in our villages, towns and cities.”

Kim Leadbeater said: “The bike ride is an opportunity to focus on the resilience of communities when horrific things happen such as Jo's murder, the terror attack at London's Borough Market and the tragedy at Grenfell Tower.

“These horrendous circumstances have a way of making people pull together to work for the common good.”

For more information, visit; facebook.com/thejocoxway. Donations can be made by searching The Jo Cox Way 2018 on Virginmoneygiving.com