Community values and a sense of belonging were fundamental to the marchers’ commitment to the crusade. Before the Crusaders left Ripon, the Bishop held a service in the Cathedral which the Mayor of Jarrow and town councillors attended. Marchers were left to rest for the remainder of 11th October.

I've had some brilliant casework wins for constituents this week! If you have an issue or problem that you need help with, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with my office by emailing [email protected]

Special thanks as always to the Durham Miners' Association, Davey Douglass from the Follonsby Wardley Miners Lodge, children from XP School for singing during this wonderful service, & everyone who came together to remember & celebrate Thomas Hepburn’s legacy.

We must be proud of our history & and continue to honour by standing up for fairness & justice in our workplaces and & communities.

Thomas Hepburn was a true pioneer of our trade union movement - a man who stood up for working people, demanding fair pay, safer conditions, and dignity at work.

Today we remember the great Thomas Hepburn, leader of the first miners’ trade union & hero of the trade union movement. A wreath was laid on my behalf at the Miners’ lampstone in Wardley & and the Thomas Hepburn gravestone at St Mary’s Church in Heworth earlier today.

The Mayor of Ripon praised marchers on their arrival in North Yorkshire, showing how their activism raised awareness of hardship in Jarrow and other post-industrial towns. The Jarrow Crusade inspired protests in the North East. On October 10th, 4,000 individuals demonstrated against the Means Test.

Today is World Mental Health Day - a day to highlight the importance of looking after our mental health and check in with your friends, family and colleagues. Let’s continue to break down barriers, start conversations and build a community where everyone feels heard, supported and valued.

Good luck to Boldon CA FC and Jarrow FC, who go head-to-head today in the big derby FA Vase First Round Proper! Both sides are flying high in their respective leagues, so it promises to be an exciting game. Kick-off is at 3pm, so hopefully there’ll be a big crowd at the Villa this afternoon! ⚽️

Great to visit the Premier League stall at Labour Party Conference and hear about their More Than a Game campaign, highlighting the impact of investment in grassroots football. I want to see football’s wealth supporting the grassroots game, so everyone has the chance to get involved

Despite the downpour that ensued on the 9th of October, Crusaders continued on their trek from Northallerton to Ripon. That same day, the BBC announced plans to begin regular broadcasts, ushering in a new era of broadcasting that would help preserve the story of the Crusade for future generations.

This Kinship Care Week, I want to say thank you to all the kinship carers in Jarrow and Gateshead East. I will continue to do all I can to champion kinship families, raise their voices with Government and push for consistent, meaningful support for every kinship family who needs it.

Whilst there was no official reception in Northallerton, Councillor David Riley, chair of the Jarrow Council and the Marshall of the March, noted how a sense of community spanned across Northern districts. The people of Northallerton welcomed marchers as though they were familiar acquaintances.

Happy International Lesbian Day! Today we come together to celebrate lesbian history, diversity and culture With lesbophobia on the rise, it’s important to raise awareness on the issues lesbians face & remember the strength of our community when we stand together 🧡🤍🩷

This week is the UK’s first-ever National Cadets Week, and so I want to recognise the incredible contribution our Cadets make here in Jarrow and Gateshead East. Thank you to our Jarrow Air Cadets, Jarrow Army Cadets, Hebburn Army Cadets, Jarrow Sea Cadets and Hebburn Sea Cadets for all you do

We will always remember their courage, they put Jarrow on the map and created one of the most powerful symbols of working-class solidarity in our history. My Shields Gazette column this week

From the Seven Men, to Ellen Wilkinson, to the 200 crusaders, our town has a proud tradition of people standing together and demanding better – something I will continue to do as your MP.

This week marked 90 years since 200 men gathered at Christ Church in Grange Road before leaving Jarrow Town Hall on their 300-mile march to London. I have had the privilege of marking this special anniversary & seeing just how deeply the story of the Crusade is ingrained in the history of our town