A WALK is being held to promote friendship and diversity as part of a weekend to celebrate the community.

Darlington Assistance for Refugees (DAR) is working with More in Common Darlington to put on the Let's Walk Together event, which is aimed at bringing together communities as lockdown restrictions ease.

It will take place on Sunday, June 20, when More in Common Darlington is set to stage its "Great Get Together" weekend.

The walk around the Northgate area will take in sights such as the town’s first Asian restaurant and will include a visit to Corporation Road School to see the emphasis placed there on inclusion.

It will end at the Arthur Wharton Foundation, which campaigns for diversity in memory of the Ghanaian who lived in Darlington and became the first black professional footballer and the world’s fastest sprinter.

Fran Wood, from DAR, which works with refugees and asylum-seekers, offering support, friendship and English tuition, said: "Coincidentally, ‘dar’ means ‘home’ in Arabic and we all now know what it’s like to sit isolated in our homes, feeling nervous about venturing out into town among strangers.

“When the coronavirus lockdowns end, though, most of us know we can meet up with friends and family again for a hug and a natter as life gets back to normal. But that is not so easy if you’re a refugee or asylum-seeker. Friends and family are usually thousands of miles away.

“Let’s remember that as we celebrate our diversity and the richness brought by refugees and asylum-seekers to our community."

More in Common Darlington is part of a national network of groups which campaign to continue the humanitarian work of MP Jo Cox, who was murdered in West Yorkshire by a far-right terrorist in June 2016.

Next month marks the fifth anniversary of the Great Get Together – the event held annually to celebrate her life.

This year, a large scale event in South Park will not take place but the Darlington group is encouraging people to hold their own "not-quite-so-great" get-togethers.

Peter Greenwood said: “It seems appropriate that two of our town’s community groups should come together to organise an event aimed at helping to alleviate that sense of isolation, not just for newcomers but for everyone who’s been feeling a bit ‘left out in the cold’ even while stuck indoors.”

The walk starts at 12noon and will take between an hour and 90 minutes. All are welcome but anyone who would like to take part is asked to email admin@moreincommondarlo.com as places will be limited because of social distancing rules.