For over 30 years, Rotary and its members have been committed to fighting to eradicate polio across the world. The amount of polio-endemic countries has dropped from 125 to just three, with over 2.5 billion children receiving vaccinations thanks to the help of Rotary.
With eradication now closer than ever, Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland’s latest campaign, Purple4Polio, is designed to unite communities to engage in activities as part of the final push to eradicate polio for good. The campaign ties in with the 100 year anniversary of The Rotary Foundation, Rotary’s own charity, which has played a key role in making polio eradication become close to a reality, along with hundreds of other projects both in Great Britain and Ireland and overseas.
You can help raise awareness by making something purple to mark October 24, World Polio day, or light your room, office or building with purple light. Last year St Thomas’ church, Winchelsea wore purple on October 24 for World Polio Day, following the lead set by Canterbury cathedral in 2017. Purple is the signature colour of Rotary’s End Polio Now campaign which aims to rid the world of polio for ever.
Since Rotary pledged to rid the world of polio, the number of global cases has fallen by 99.99% and the number of endemic countries dropping from 125 to just 3. we are on the brink one of the greatest public health achievements in history. Help us finish the job.
Image Credits: Rye Rotary .