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Sharks Support 67 Blankets Campaign
Sharks Support 67 Blankets Campaign
This year, on 21 April 2015 to celebrate the 21st anniversary of our democracy, 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day, an initiative also supported by Cell C, would like to achieve a collection drive of epic proportions.
Cell C Sharks and Springbok player JP Pietersen said this of the experience: "It is an honour for us to be a part of a campaign that will keep thousands of people less fortunate than ourselves warmer over the winter season. Learning how to crochet was certainly a lot more difficult than we expected but it was great fun and we certainly felt the Madiba Magic in our team room!!"
The players challenge all other rugby teams in South Africa to do the same and continue the Madiba legacy.
"We have been overwhelmed by the incredible response we have received to date," says Carolyn Steyn, the Founder of 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day, who challenged The Sharks to add their knitting skills to this initiative. "Who would have thought that knitting and crocheting would all of a sudden become so popular?"
The aim is to rally the nation to knit or crochet and donate thousands of blankets, the goal: 21 000, which would be a world record. These blankets will be spread across the vast lawns at the Union Buildings, at the feet of the great Nelson Mandela statue that guards our democracy and the rainbow nation.
Each year the Cell C Sharks players get stuck into a giving back project that aims to make a difference in the lives of the less privileged, in the name of Nelson Mandela. This year is no different, although the abilities of the players came under serious scrutiny and accompanying laughter as their knitting skills were put to the test.