CLARENDON High School knitters gathered together a total of 104 blankets for those in need on Mandela Day this week. A total of 6533 squares have been knitted by pupils and teachers, which will be sewn together to create warm blankets.
“We have received a fantastic response to the knitting challenge from the girls. I thought two squares per pupil would be what to expect, but we surpassed that goal in two weeks,” teacher-in- charge Jucintha McVitty Brown said.
Matric pupil Kelsey Savage, who is also a Scout, began the campaign to knit for Mandela Day with the support of McVitty Brown in an effort to achieve her Springbok scouting award.
“I am stunned that we have collected 104 blankets. That’s 104 people who are going to keep warm and each square represents a Clarendon girl’s time and effort,” Savage said.
McVitty Brown shared the inspiration for the knitting effort by remembering the legacy left by the late Nelson Mandela in an assembly on Monday.
“We are to continue the work he [Mandela] started,” McVitty Brown said. She emphasised that overcoming poverty should not be seen as a kind gesture, but an act of justice.
The knitting drive will conclude at the end of July, when they hope to double their previous 67 blanket goal and stitch together a total of 134 blankets. Blankets will be handed over to the team from 67 Blankets and they will distribute to those in need in our area.
To get involved with the blanket drive, contact June Stagler from 67 Blankets for Mandela Day on 072-560-7738.
