Dawn Butler, first elected African-Caribean female MP, new patron for Mandela8
Dawn Butler has become the first elected African-Caribbean government minister to endorse the Liverpool initiative.
Mandela8 is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation with a purpose to commemorate and pursue the legacy of Nelson Mandela's outstanding achievement for humanity. It aims to see permanent artwork that functions as a unique performance, conversation and contemplation space established at a Toxteth Liverpool 8 heritage site.
Ahead of Mandela Day on July 18, the Liverpool charity has announced Dawn Butler, Labour MP for Brent Central, as their newest patron.
The first elected African-Caribbean woman to become a Government Minister in the UK, Butler ran a hugely successful campaign in 2015, winning her vote with a majority of nearly 20,000; giving her the largest vote swing in England at the time.
The former Shadow Minister for Women & Equalities has twice been awarded by the Patchwork Foundation as the People's Choice Labour Party MP of the Year and again as Overall MP of the Year.
In awe of Mandela's humanitarian efforts, Dawn has said: "Mandela has inspired me, just as he inspired so many around the world after spending 27 years in prison so that black people could have equal rights and votes and to end the brutal apartheid regime".
The latest announcement by the charity comes with the upcoming Mandela Week, which will be marked this year with their annual 'My 67 Minutes' campaign (sponsored the Torus Foundation), which aims to bring people together through acts of kindness and community cohesion.
Last year, the organisation reached over 230,000 young people across Liverpool, Chester and Warrington, with hundreds of volunteers dedicating their time to help communities in the North West of England.
Mandela8 is also in its final week of crowdfunding to support Liverpool's most vulnerable individuals during lockdown with food parcels, hygiene packs and arts activities for young children.