Work to start on Mandela memorial by the end of the year

WORK is to start by the end of the year installing a memorial and bridge in a Liverpool park, dedicated to the memory of Nelson Mandela. The Princes Park scheme includes a new:- 'Freedom Bridge,' pavilion and 32 cylindrical stoneworks inscribed with inspirational Mandela quotes. The pedestals represent the oil drums Mandela used to grow an allotment on the rooftop of Pollsmoor Prison.

The project reflects upon Mandela's love of gardens and horticulture along with his struggle for freedom, equality and humanity, and the spaces will be used for future activity in the park, acting as a focal point and an area to visit, reflect and educate. The City Council has already restored the surrounding lake including:- reinstating the water channel, fixing edging stones, putting in fishing platforms and ecological improvements.

His family; eldest daughter Dr Makaziwe 'Maki' Mandela and his granddaughter Tukwini Mandela; have confirmed they will be coming to the City for the official opening at Princes Park in July 2020, as part of Mandela Week, on what would have been his 101st birthday. They were last in the City in February this year when they toured the site and visited a number of community projects and viewed artwork created by Nelson Mandela which is on permanent display at St George's Hall gifted to the City by his daughter.

Funding for the memorial and bridge has come from a number of sources including planning agreements made with developers (section 106) and UNI Global, a conglomerate of unions representing 20 million workers in the skills and services sectors.

Dr Makaziwe Mandela and Tukwini Mandela said:- "We are delighted to be coming back to Liverpool, a City dear to our hearts. It will be a special moment indeed when the memorial is opened and so special to us to know that the memorial is Liverpool's way of continuing to show their love and respect for our Father and Grandfather and ensure his legacy lives on. Liverpool's connection to South Africa and its support of Anti Apartheid is significant and we look forward to developing a legacy for the future of Liverpool by being there to lead Mandela week."

Sonia Bassey, Chair and one of the founding members of Mandela8, said:- "The last 5 years for Mandela8 have been the most amazing journey. We have worked hard with the communities of Liverpool to realise their dream and are so excited to finally see the memorial installed. We were told we had given our communities hope when the Mandela family visited Liverpool last year, so we are humbled that they would want to come back and share this special moment with us and bless the very place that will be fundamental to our ongoing educational work in communities. We have exciting plans for Mandela Week next year that will truly make commemorating Mandela's birthday special."

Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, said:- "It is fantastic news that we will be starting work on the Mandela memorial, which will be a lasting tribute to his unrivalled achievements in bringing the evil of apartheid to an end. The memorial project has been years in the planning and I know from meeting them last year how touched the family are that this tribute will be taking centre stage in such a beautiful green space. It will be a privilege and an honour to once again welcome the Mandela family for what will be a very special occasion when the memorial is completed."

MORE than 11,000 young people will enjoy safe, organised activities this Halloween and Bonfire Night, thanks to funding raised by the Police from the sale of stolen goods. Merseyside's Police Commissioner Jane Kennedy has announced the 24 community projects that will receive a share of funding from the Police Property Act (PPA) Fund which directs money raised through the sale of unclaimed stolen goods or property recovered by the Police that cannot be returned to its owners into worthwhile causes.

For the last 4 years, the Commissioner has used this money to help community organisations run activities and projects which keep young people safe and divert them away from getting involved in anti-social or criminal behaviour over the busy autumn period. The successful organisations from this round of funding, totalling more than ₤40,000, will run a host of projects which will complement Merseyside Police and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service's Operation Banger plans with the aim of keeping a total of 11,061 young people engaged in safe and supervised activities.

Jane said:- "Halloween and Bonfire Night are a time of fun and excitement for many people across Merseyside, particularly young people who love the festivities. Sadly though, it is also a time when the fun can get out of hand and lead to young people getting involved in behaviour which can become intimidating, anti-social or even dangerous to other members of the community. That means it is traditionally a very busy time for both Merseyside Police and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service. By funding these youth projects across Merseyside, my aim is to help thousands of young people enjoy the festivities in a safe and enjoyable way at organised and well managed events. This will help to ensure they don't get involved in any activities that could either put themselves or others in harm's way. It could also prevent them from getting involved with behaviour that they may come to regret in the future. It will also help to relieve the strain on our emergency services during this busy period, complementing and supporting the excellent diversionary work the Police and the Fire Service that has already been carry out while making sure people can enjoy the celebrations during the holiday season. For this year's successful organisations, these small cash boosts can make a huge difference and will enable them to run some fantastic grassroots projects which really engage with young people's imaginations while keeping them safe."

A total of 63 applications were received for the funding, amounting to requests for more than ₤194,000. The bids were shared with community safety partners before being reviewed by a panel from the Commissioner's office and the Community Foundation for Merseyside, who manage the fund on the PCC's behalf. As a result, 8 organisations in Liverpool and 6 initiatives in Sefton were awarded funding, with 4 initiatives in Wirral and Knowsley and 2 in St Helens all benefitting. Much of the funding was focused in 'hotspot' areas where communities have been identified as most susceptible to threat and risk.

Among the successful organisations were:- 'The Hive, Wirral Youth Zone,' which received ₤2,500 to run their annual "HiveAgeddon" project offering diversionary activities including:- arts, football, drama, dance, climbing and music for up to 2,500 young people during the Operation Bangor period. In St Helens, the Under Construction Crew will use ₤2,500 to engage young people in dance, DJing and circus workshops, while Portico Vine Rugby Club received ₤1,200 to host a series of cinema nights in an area of high anti social behaviour.

In Liverpool, 56 youngsters at risk of getting involved will crime will be able to take part in an 'Alternatives to Violence' programme at the Norris Green Youth Centre to help them get away from gang activity, while up to 3,000 residents will be able to enjoy a multi generational Bonfire event thanks to the Norris Green Community Alliance.

The PPA fund is administered by the Community Foundation for Merseyside, (CFM) on behalf of the Commissioner. CFM holds funds from philanthropic individuals and organisations who wish to support deserving causes in Merseyside and Lancashire.

CFM's Senior Programmes Manager James Proctor said:- "We are proud to be working with Merseyside's Police Commissioner and administering the Police Property Act fund. This fund is very popular and the decision making panel had some extremely difficult choices to make with so many valuable projects presented. We feel the projects supported will make a huge impact in communities at this time of the year and wish them every success. For further information on the Community Foundation please visit our website"

Read about some of the great work being done by the successful applicants and find out about the grants which have been awarded on the Commissioner's website.