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BPNW Youth group attended the Mandela 90th birthday
BPNW’s young service users, young volunteers and staff attended what was an amazing event in support of Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday and his 46664 charity.
On the 27th June, all roads led to London’s Hyde Park where a group of young service users, young volunteers and staff attended what was an amazing event.
Sadly, Dame Shirley Bassey was unable to attend but other entertainer’s sure stole the show. The young people were amazed to see Will Smith, Razor light, Soweto Gospel Choir, Loyso, Leona Lewis, Amy Whinehouse, The Sugar Babes, Johnny Clegg, Anny Lenox and many more.
The highlight of the event was undoubtedly witnessing Nelson Mandela on stage. The crown sang happy birthday which was followed by a tremendous and inspirational speech about raising awareness of HIV/AIDS. It must be noted that the event was a celebration but Nelson consciously drew attention to the impact of HIV/AIDS. His home country, South Africa is one of the worst hit countries where 5.41 million people live with the virus.
However, it was a fantastic day for all and one that the young people will remember for a long while.
Quotes from young people
“I nearly fainted when I saw Will Smith, he is soooo cute”
“I want to marry Leona Lewis when I am older (laughter)”
“The highlight for me was seeing Nelson Mandela on stage” “What a true inspiration and could not help crying when i saw him on stage”
“Thanks to BPNW I was able to see all these famous people”
Many thanks
Organisers from Nelson Mandela’s charity 46664 graciously donated the tickets that enabled the group to observe this momentous extravaganza. The youth group sincerely thank organisers, for their charitable donation.
BPNW also ran a Design a T-shirt competition for the BPNW youth group where the winners were also given the opportunity to attend the event. The screen printed T-shirts will be sold on a market stall in the global village at this year’s International AIDS Conference in Mexico City to raise vital funds for BPNW’s peer support groups. The final product will be showcased in our forthcoming newsletter.