“She was a human being, and she was perfect” – Jo Cox’s sister makes moving tribute

The sister of Jo Cox has paid tribute to her as “an utterly amazing woman”, and a charity fundraising appeal set up in her honour has received more than half a million pounds in donations in under two days.

Kim Leadbeater, Cox’s younger sister, made a moving tribute as mourners gathered in Batley to pay their respects.

“From a very young age, all Jo wanted was to be happy,” Leadbeater said. “She only saw the good. We know there are some evil people in the world, but there are an awful lot of good people too.”

On Friday, a funding effort was set up to support three charities closest to Jo’s heart: the Royal Voluntary Service, HOPE not hate, and The White Helmets. It has so far raised over £650,000, with more than 20,000 people donating. You can donate to Jo’s Fund here.

“We have to continue this strength and solidarity in the days, months and years to come as part of Jo’s legacy, and to focus on, as Jo would say, that which unites us and not which divides us,” her sister said.

“She will live on through all the good people in the world, through [her husband] Brendan, through us, and through her truly wonderful children, who will always know what an utterly amazing woman their mother was. She was a human being, and she was perfect.”