End Polio Now
Epworth & Isle of Rotary Club plant Crocus Bulbs
You may have noticed members of the Epworth & Isle of Axholme Rotary Club acting like squirrels this Autumn. Close inspection would reveal that they have not been burying nuts but rather crocus corms. Here is why.
In 1985 1,0000 new cases of polio were diagnosed every day. This viral infection can affect the central nervous system with potential to paralyse limbs or affect speech, swallowing and breathing. Many of us will recall the use of splints and iron lungs. An oral vaccine was developed in 1962.
Rotary International decided that it was going to work to eradicate polio entirely. By raising monies, working with other including governmental agencies and by volunteers travelling to third world countries to take part in immunisation this aim has almost been achieved. Now less than 1 new case occurs each week!. Affected countries are limited to Nigeria, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
$14 billion has been spent. $ 4billion is pledged but a final $1.2 billion is needed. The Bill & Melissa Gates Foundation has pledged to donate $2 for every $1 raised by rotary until 2018.
We are nearly there but if not finished completely the potential for return of the disease remains.
We are planting 5,000 corms locally to raise awareness and hopefully funds, informing the primary school children and making our town more colourful next and future springs.
Any donations to further this work will be gratefully accepted. (via church wardens or any local rotarian). £4 can give treatment to 20 children.
Why purple crocus corms? Well in illiterate communities children have their little finger marked with purple dye to indicate that they have been vaccinated.
'What We Do' Main Pages:
Polio presently only exists in 2 countries in the World largely due to the work of rotarians over recent decades
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RC Epworth and Isle of Axholme were able to introduce two new members this month. Nick and Sue, pictured above with President Richard Vergette.
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Well another good evening - enjoyed by rotarians and guests. Belton Kitchen & Visitors Centre https://www.facebook.com/Beltonkitchen/
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Once again we were to hold our ever popular tea for the Senior Citizens in Epworth and surrounding areas
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The Epworth and Isle of Axholme annual quiz night at the Thurlow in Epworth was again a thumping success.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Rotary visit to Amsterdam
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