Liverpool charity to mark Mandela Day by bringing communities together in ‘hope and healing’

Liverpool charitable organisation Mandela8 is marking Mandela Day this year by encouraging the public to take part in a whole week of activities aimed at promoting community cohesion and highlighting those who have been affected by the ongoing pandemic.

The group behind the new Nelson Mandela memorial in Princes Park had originally planned for a visit from Mandela’s family to mark its opening this July, but sadly plans had to be put on hold due to both construction work and travel being so adversely affected by the lockdown.

Adapting to the country’s current situation, the charity decided they would instead use the week – commencing 13th July – to recognise the not only the pain and suffering that local communities are going through but also provide a space for organisations to recognise the work their staff and volunteers have done to help people during Covid-19.

Amongst the suggested activities for the public to get involved in are calls for community choirs to entertain residents in lockdown (whilst engaging in social distancing) as well as litter picking and planting trees.

Participants are encouraged to spend 67 minutes of their day taking part in their chosen act of kindness – one minute for every year of Mandela’s public service – as part of this #My67Minutes campaign, sponsored by Torus Foundation.

?Let's face it, our city is pretty impressive. This year we're joining @VisitLiverpool to rediscover the incredible things that make Liverpool what it is, proving summer isn't cancelled, it's just different. ? Who's in?#LoveYourLiverpool ?

MORE ?https://t.co/LhpHlnHVeA pic.twitter.com/BBPZhLIqnd

— The Guide Liverpool (@TheGuideLpool) July 10, 2020

A special memorial section of the Mandela8 website will also be reserved for submissions from the general public, allowing them to post tributes and photos of loved ones who have been lost during the pandemic.

Chair of Mandela8, Sonia Bassey, said: 

“2020 has been a year of significant world events so far and Mandela8 has been truly moved by the country’s response to Covid-19 and the murder of George Floyd; an atrocity that has shown us all around the world that in many ways we still live in an Apartheid state.  This also reinforces the need for us all to celebrate each other for our differences and contributions we all bring to society.”

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