67 BLANKETS FOR NELSON MANDELA
DAY
18 JULY 2015
What is Nelson Mandela Day?
Nelson Mandela Day is a celebration of Nelson Mandela’s birthday and a call
to action for individuals – for people everywhere – to take responsibility for
changing the world into a better place, one small step at a time, just as the
late Mr Mandela did for more than 67 years.
What is the significance of the call to devote 67 minutes to
community service?
The late Mr Mandela spent more than 67 years serving his community, his
country and the world. The number is symbolic of how people can start to do
the same – one small step at a time – and so become part of a continuous,
global movement for good.
Is there an organisation behind Nelson Mandela Day?
Nelson Mandela Day is the initiative of the Nelson Mandela Foundation and
its sister organisations, the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and the Mandela
Rhodes Foundation; however, activities on the day and after, are the
prerogative of people and organisations “on the ground”. Provided their
activities fall within the ethical framework of “service to one’s fellow human”,
people are free to organise and partner as they wish.
Where do the resources come from to sustain Nelson
Mandela Day activities?
Community-focused action, the underpinning principle of Mandela Day.
Nelson Mandela Day, should not require large or additional resources. Rather,
Mandela Day. Nelson Mandela Day efforts should strengthen local resources,
both human and material. It is vital that sponsorship should not be sought in
ways that divert funding normally available to communities and their nongovernmental partners.
What is 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day?
67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day started as a challenge but has quickly
grown into what some are calling a movement. The 67 Blankets for Nelson
Mandela Day campaign was founded by Carolyn Steyn and calls on people
from around the world to knit, sew or crochet a blanket and help keep
someone warm this winter. Blankets will be distributed on Nelson Mandela
Day, which occurs annually on 18 July. The only requirement is that the single
bed sized blanket or baby blanket is handmade. The reason for this is
because buying a blanket is easy – making one on the other hand is time
consuming and laborious. So much love and passion goes into making
something yourself and the recipient of the blanket will hopefully know and
understand that they matter!
How do I join 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day?
Joining the movement is easy – just pledge your support on the 67 Blankets
for Madiba Day Facebook Page. Most importantly, those who pledge to make
a blanket must keep their promise and complete the blanket or blankets by 1
July 2015.
What size should my blanket be?
Blankets can be knitted or crocheted and should measure 150 cm x 200 cm
(single-bed blanket) or 90 cm x 110 cm (baby blanket).
Who are the beneficiaries?
The UK ambassador, Lenay Jerling Krowitz, has agreed to let us choose a UK
charity ourselves. In the UK we are aiming to reach a target of 67 blankets.
The blankets donated will be spread across Trafalgar Square in front of SA
House on Nelson Mandela Day on 18 July 2015 before being sent of to an
appropriate charity of our choice.
To do:
Nominate a charity:
Get donations – wool, knitting needles etc
Start knitting
Deadline: Friday 10 July
Trafalgar square: - South Africa House 18 July on Nelson Mandela Day
GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS
67 BLANKETS FOR NELSON MANDELA DAY (
NPC) NPO 151/362
What
3377 M² (11079.40FT²) SQUARE METRE(S)
Where
SOUTH AFRICA
UNION BUILDINGS, TSHWANE, GAUTENG
When
21 APRIL 2015
The largest crotchet blanket measures 3377 m² (11079.40ft²) and
was achieved by 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day (South
Africa) at Union Buildings, Pretoria, (South Africa) on 21 April
2015
Carolyn Steyn, founder of the charity 67 Blankets for Nelson
Mandela Day, brought together communities and charities from
across South Africa to participate in this mammoth Guinness World
Records attempt.
The blanket was made up of over four thousand individual blankets,
hand-crotcheted by thousands of people from communities across
South Africa including Diepsloot, Alexandra and Cosmo City.
Huge numbers of school children, the Ga Rankuwa 'Golden
Grannies' and inmates at Zonderwater Maximum Security prison
and Leeukop Prison Juvenile Centre came together to help craft the
largest crotchet blanket in the world. Each individual blanket that
helped to create the largest crotchet blanket will be donated to
families in need across South Africa.