First picture of have-a-go hero pensioner who tried to save MP Jo Cox
Bernard Kenny, 77, was seriously hurt after grappling with the gunman - and there are now calls for him to be given a bravery gong
CALLS were growing last night for the George Medal to be awarded to the pensioner who tried to save MP Jo Cox.
Nearly 1,000 people have so far signed an online petition seeking to honour Bernard Kenny’s bravery.
Bernard, 77, attempted to rugby-tackle the gunman who stabbed and shot Jo after hearing her screams.
The father of two was knifed in the stomach as he fought with the killer.
Retired ex-miner Bernard — who had helped save dozens of colleagues in a 1973 pit disaster — was rushed to hospital after telling horrified wife Doreen: “I’m OK.”
The George Medal recognises “acts of great bravery”.
The petition urges the Cabinet Office to honour Bernard’s actions as quickly as possible so that “our nation’s thoughts are on love and bravery rather than hate and fear”,
One of Bernard’s neighbours said: “He thoroughly deserves it.
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“While everyone ran for safety he put himself in harm’s way with no thought for himself.”
The George Medal is intended primarily for civilians.
Those awarded the gong include off-duty cop Ian Dibell, 41, who was killed when he tackled a gunman in Clacton, Essex, in 2012.
Bernard was still recovering in hospital yesterday as a new round of tributes were paid to Jo, 41 — who died in Birstall, West Yorks, on Thursday.
Church bells rang out at 7pm in tribute to the mother of two — who was elected Labour MP for Batley and Spen last year.
During one service for Jo at St Peter's Church, Reverend Paul Knight told the 50-strong congregation: “Her humanity was powerful and compelling and we would do well to recognise her as a 21st Century Good Samaritan.
Shocked constituents attended church services to remember her and continued to lay floral tributes at a memorial in Birstall.
“She was someone who went out of her way to help others.”
He also paid tribute to brave Bernard, saying that he “showed the same passion for the stranger as Jo did”.
Resident Leif Wickes, who led prayers, urged: “Pray for Jo’s and Brendan’s children.
“They are still too young to understand the horror of what happened but old enough to suffer from the loss of their mother.”
Jobless Thomas Mair, 52, has been charged with Jo’s murder.
He is expected to reappear at Westminster magistrates court today via videolink from top-security Belmarsh Prison.