A CELEBRATION of Darlington’s “lockdown heroes” is being held this weekend in place of a community get together cancelled because of the coronavirus.

The Great Get Together was due to take place in South Park, Darlington, on Saturday, but has been cancelled because of social distancing restrictions.

Instead, organisers are planning to celebrate some of the people from the town who have been volunteering throughout the lockdown to help out the community.

Peter Greenwood, the chairman of More in Common Darlington, which organises the Great Get Together in the town, said: “Darlington people have really taken to the idea of the Great Get Together, with more and more joining in each year.

“So we were really disappointed that lockdown meant our gathering was cancelled, particularly as our friends at Darlington For Peace had been all set to be co-sponsor this year. They are the people who organise the annual Walk For Peace around the town’s diverse places of worship each November.”

He added: “Literally hundreds of Darlingtonians have been spending their time delivering food and essential supplies to those who cannot leave their home.

“They have become phone friends to the isolated, kept watch on neighbours and done everything they could to ensure people stayed safe and well.”

The group has asked for nominations from members of the public to come forward with the people they think should feature in a video, created for a special “watch party”, which takes place online on Saturday.

Mr Greenwood added: “We have this idea that people are getting more unkind and there’s a lot of hate around but this goes towards disproving that.

“People, like they always have been, are good and bad. We want to celebrate the good instead of highlighting the bad.

“There have been hundreds of people who have come forward to help during the lockdown.

“It has amazed me how many people are doing this.”

The Great Get Together was set up as a national event to commemorate Jo Cox, the MP for Batley and Spen in West Yorkshire, who was killed in 2016, to celebrate herlife and her work promoting peace, equality and kindness.

In the past, the event in Darlington has featured local bands, stalls run by community organisations and children’s activities, as well as people bringing along a picnic to get together in South Park.

The event on Saturday will feature a video starring some of those nominated because of their volunteering in the community, as well as other entertainment, which is being created by Caroline Pearce, of Luxi’s Jabberwocky Market events, aided by Arts Council England’s Emergency Support Fund.

Videos from the Jo Cox Foundation will also be shown.

To join the watch party, which starts at 1pm, visit the More in Common Darlington Facebook page.