​Hidden Gardens is to host a celebration of local culture to remember Nelson Mandela

Organisers of a Glasgow event to celebrate the life of the late Nelson Mandela are calling for community groups to come forward to take part.

Hidden Gardens is hosting the Mandela Celebration on Saturday 19 July, one day after International Mandela Day, and wants as many different groups to be featured as possible.

We’re really looking forward to seeing how people respond to the call to action and to follow how this impacts locally

Inspired by the life and work of the former President of South Africa, the event aims to shine a light on volunteering in the local community, showcasing the many ways people can contribute to the neighbourhood.

A number of groups have already signed up including The Village Storytelling Centre who will tell some of Mandela’s favourite African folk tales and singers from Voicebeat and Govanhill Voices will perform as will Govanhill Youth Project.

The event, which runs from 12-4pm, will also have an interactive time bank where people can pledge their time in service to others and their community, just as Nelson Mandela’s campaign encourages people to pledge 67 minutes of their time.

The Hidden Gardens director Amanda Patterson said there couldn’t be a more fitting venue for a tribute to Mandela than the gardens as it includes Scotland’s only sanctuary garden.

She added: “We’re located in Pollokshields, one of Scotland’s most culturally diverse communities and have been hosting large scale inclusive community gatherings for over a decade now.

“We’re really looking forward to seeing how people respond to the call to action and to follow how this impacts locally."

To find out more about becoming involved on the day visit The Hidden Gardens' website or call Amanda Patterson on 0141 433 2722.