news / 20th Anniversary of Mandela Release

Following his release and election as President of the newly democratic South Africa in 1994 one of his first actions was to start the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund and pledge a third of his salary to ensure its financial security.

Nelson Mandela Children's Fund is now one of the leading children's charities in South Africa and in the past 15 years of operation has reached and helped 1.5 million of the most vulnerable children. The work ranges across children affected by HIV and Aids, disabled children, those who have been abused or are refugees, and the building of work skills and confidence in young people.

NMCF UK is taking the opportunity of the anniversary to thank all the individual donors, trusts, companies, schools churches and volunteers who have joined with Mr Mandela to realise his vision for a better future for children by supporting our fundraising efforts.

"Without the commitment of all our supporters it would have been much harder to get going and help as many children as we have" said Executive Director of NMCF UK Kathi Scott.

"We are proud of what we have achieved in such relatively short time, but the need is still there so we are offering our sincerest thanks on behalf of Mr Mandela and the trustees of NMCF UK and also asking our supporters if they can recommend us to 3 friends" she added.

NMCF UK hopes that the campaign will bring new donors and volunteers to the charity and help to support the continuing growth of the work in South Africa.