SUNDERLAND bosses are to celebrate their recent collaboration with the Nelson Mandela Foundation by designating its forthcoming clash with Manchester United at the Stadium of Light “Nelson Mandela Day”.
Black Cats players will sport one-off T-shirts for the pre-game warm up, bearing the foundation’s logo and a special “text to donate” message in support of the foundation.
Both teams will take to the field through a guard of honour of youngsters also sporting Nelson Mandela Foundation T-shirts, along with 11 specially chosen mascots. A flag bearing the foundations’ logo will also be displayed pitchside.
African musicians, the Abatimbo Drummers of Burundi, will entertain fans before the game and again at half-time.
Across the next 18 months, Sunderland AFC will support a number of fund-raising initiatives on behalf of the foundation, including a gala dinner, planned for later this year. Nelson Mandela Day will see the launch of a special text number which allows fans to pledge their support by donating £2 to the foundation. Fans can simply text SAFC67 £2 to 70070 to make their donation.
The players’ shirt, will be auctioned online via the club’s official website, www.safc.com, to kick off the fund-raising, with all monies raised going to help the foundation continue its work.
Launched earlier this month, the partnership between the club and the foundation aims to help to promote the former South African President’s legacy, through the global reach of the Premier League.
SAFC will be a Legacy Advocate for the Nelson Mandela Foundation – a not-for-profit organisation established in 1999 to support the former South African Presidents’ ongoing engagement in promoting his legacy of social justice.
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