Polio Eradication

We believe that the world is on the brink of seeing "the very last case of polio". Rotary International has been focusing on eradicating the desease for the past 30 years. This year the Purple4Polio campaign is using 'Jam' to raise awareness & funds too.

End Polio Now - Help Rotary raise funds to eradicate polio.

And now, as widely reported in the UK media, Eve Conway, 2016 to 2017 Rotary President in Great Britain End Polio Now and Ireland has gone on record to say that we are on the verge of making polio a disease of the past. If we are successful, it will be only the second disease affecting humans to be eradicated. The first was smallpox.

President Eve said: “The world stands on the brink of an historic milestone. I believe that 2017 will be the year we see the last case of polio and fulfil Rotary’s goal of a polio-free world."

Eradicating the last few cases is a big challenge as they are in countries where transporting and delivering the vaccine is often disrupted by civil war, conflict and local hostility. But, despite this, the number of cases is falling dramatically due to the fantastic work from Rotarians in Great Britain, Ireland and around the world.

“It is within our grasp, we must not rest on our laurels.”

Thirty years ago there were 1,000 cases of polio a day in 125 countries.

In 1985, Rotary International launched a public health campaign which led to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative joining forces with Unicef, the World Health organisation, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in the US and more recently the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Since then the organisation has raised $1.6 billion with the help of 1.25 million volunteers globally, including 50,000 in the UK.

The campaign is now on the verge of completion with hopes that 2017 will see the last ever case of the disease.

Polio is a serious viral infection causing temporary or permanent paralysis, which can be life-threatening. Among those to have suffered are television chef Mary Berry, golfer Jack Nicklaus and singer songwriter Joni Mitchell. But there have been no new cases in the UK since 1984 following a programme of routine vaccination. Last year, there were 37 cases in just three countries, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria.

PURPLE4POLIO JAM

We are delighted to announce that, following a request from a Rotarian in District 1240, Tiptree Jam (Wilkin & Sons Ltd) will be making and donating 52,000 jars of Purple4Polio jam!

A jar of either Greengage or Early Rivers Plum Jam will be donated to every single Rotarian across Great Britain and Ireland.

The aim of the scheme is to raise £1,000,000 for Purple4Polio.

By donating a minimum of £2.00 per jar (worth at least £3 in store) and collecting donations in the empty jar, that target can be reached.

We are all busy eating our jam and collecting our coins in the empty jars all to eradicate polio. Everyone can get involved with this amazing project.

'What We Do' Main Pages:

OAP tea

Elderly residents treated to afternoon tea and entertainment

Our residents receive cards and chocolates

Rotary helped the Lions and Santa

Every year we have a Teddy Tombola at the Epworth Light Switch on.

A few photographs from our Ceilidh on the 11th November. We had a wonderful night.

Polio presently only exists in 2 countries in the World largely due to the work of rotarians over recent decades

Richard Vergette one of our members who is also District Governor 1220 this year

Our new President for 2023/24 will be Simon Walsh

From Left to right - Nick, Sue and President Richard

RC Epworth and Isle of Axholme were able to introduce two new members this month. Nick and Sue, pictured above with President Richard Vergette.

Well another good evening - enjoyed by rotarians and guests. Belton Kitchen & Visitors Centre https://www.facebook.com/Beltonkitchen/

Once again we were to hold our ever popular tea for the Senior Citizens in Epworth and surrounding areas

In September 6 guys decided to cycle to Holland and back in aid of Sepsis UK

Once again Epworth Rotary held their annual quiz

50 Pensioners attend our Afternoon Tea Party in February

Helping Westwoodside Primary School in their quest to create a sensory room

We are now able to meet face to face

OAPs in Epworth and surrounding villages enjoy afternoon tea and choir.

The Epworth and Isle of Axholme annual quiz night at the Thurlow in Epworth was again a thumping success.

Rotary and local volunteer organisations set up group to help in times of need

Local secondary school holds Enterprise Event

Epworth & Isle of Rotary Club plant Crocus Bulbs

We recently had a talk on this subject at one of our business meetings

How to Restart a Heart held at South Axholme School

The Festival of the Plough September 2016

We are very active in our local community. We support the Festival of the Plough by running an enormous tombola. We raised over £500 for the Festival of the Plough to use for local events including our own the Rotary Tea Party for the Elderly.

The re-homing of soft toys at Epworth Lights Switch On

Our Handover Meeting 27th June 2017

The Festival provides a wonderful traditional day out for all the family.

Local show - attended Bank Holiday Monday

Fund Raiser

Rotary help out at local Macmillan Coffee Morning

Rotarians run the Plough Tombola

We believe that the world is on the brink of seeing "the very last case of polio". Rotary International has been focusing on eradicating the desease for the past 30 years. This year the Purple4Polio campaign is using 'Jam' to raise awareness & funds too.

This annual event, now in its 13th year, is organised by Rotary Clubs of South Yorkshire and raises money for both local and international charities.

Presidents & Secretary visit Lindsey Lodge Hospice

Rotary President Awarded IFF UK Flyer of the Year Award

Lovely sunny day at Epworth Show

'Sponsored Walk - End Polio Now'

Our first charter in 2006

2nd Charter - Amsterdam!!

Rotary visit to Amsterdam