A note from Gemma Mortensen, Chief Global Officer, Change.org

In the passing of my friend Jo Cox, we have lost one of the greatest activists and campaigners of our generation.

Jo’s life was one of service. Not lip-service, but true service. She was a humanitarian who campaigned for human rights in Darfur and Syria and a strategist who rethought child protection, world trade and education.

Jo brought out the best in everyone, even when she was being tough. She was quick to put people at ease, whether recruiting people to climb her beloved Scottish mountains (turning walkers into mountain-climbers by sheer force of her enthusiasm) or reaching across the aisle in Parliament, where she was admired by politicians of every hue. She could read the same humanity in the eyes of a Darfuri child, a Syrian refugee or a lonely octogenarian.

My friend Jo: ‘we have lost one of the greatest activists and campaigners of our generation’

Jo spoke out against hatred and extremism in all its forms. She championed inclusion. In her oft-quoted maiden speech to the Commons, she declared: “While we celebrate our diversity … we are far more united and have far more in common with each other than things that divide us.”

She would want us now to channel her love for others, no matter their race, creed or ideology. And that is why I am writing to you today.

If you have been moved by Jo’s death and want to pay tribute to her work, her husband Brendan has suggested three causes you might wish to donate to.

Please go to http://bit.ly/JoCoxDonate to support the charities closest to Jo’s heart.

We will also be coming together on Wednesday, Jo’s 42nd birthday, at 4pm in Trafalgar Square in London, to honour Jo’s memory and all that she stood for. We would love to see you there.

Thank you 

Gemma Mortensen