Sunderland and the chalk Mandela sign [+vid]
They’ve not won a jot since the 1971 FA Cup final against Leeds, but Sunderland FC have backed a project to cherish the memory of Nelson Mandela and his legacy of peace, democratic change and goodwill.
Wednesday, 23 Jul 2014 10:20 GMT
Chalk man: North Shields artist Davey Wilkinson drew the image of Mandela
The Sunderland football club has backed a day of international celebration of the late Nelson Mandela. Part of the day was the creation of a massive sign depicting the alleged fan of Liverpool and England’s football player John Barnes, rendered in chalk. The portrait was created by North Shields artist Davey Wilkinson and was the centrepiece of a day full of activities which celebrating the great man. It is one of the largest signs to be created in the community that will disappear with the first downpour of rain.
“The businesses in Sunderland really got behind this event and many of them displayed posters of Nelson Mandela,” said Ken Dunbar, Chief Executive of the BID Sunderland, an organisation set up to promote the area.
Sunderland has already strong links with the Mandela Foundation through SAFC and we, like many millions around the world, feel it is vital his life and work continue to be remembered”
He continues: “Sunderland has already strong links with the Mandela Foundation through SAFC and we, like many millions around the world, feel it is vital his life and work continue to be remembered.”
When asked by this publication, BID Sunderland were unable to come up with any facts about the day other than that North Shields artist Davey Wilkinson drew a picture in chalk of the former South African president and there were various African activities on the day.
However, the club says: “Sunderland AFC began its off-the-field relationship with the African continent in 2011 forging a partnership with the Invest In Africa initiative to promote awareness of the opportunities of doing business in Africa. Linking with Invest in Africa has also helped Sunderland AFC to grow its fanbase and global presence, particularly in Africa, where nearly 1.2 billion people watch Premier League matches.”
Earlier this week, the fans of the NE England football club also dipped into their pockets to raise cash for two of the victims of the M17 air disaster in the Ukraine. Reporting the story, the BBC said: “Tributes have been paid to Newcastle United fans John Alder and Liam Sweeney, two of the British victims of flight MH17 plane crash. The men were travelling to New Zealand to watch their club. A fundraising website set up by fans of their bitter rivals, Sunderland, has raised nearly £25,000.”
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This film gives more details of Sunderland FC's work with the Mandela Foundation:
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