Our commitment to eradicate Polio

Over the last few years, Melton Aurora members have joined Rotarians from other Melton clubs to plant over 12,000 crocus corms in a grass bank along Station Approach, Melton Mowbray.  

The flowers are all purple (hopefully, though a few have turned white!) to represent the purle mark made on the little finger of children who have received a Polio vaccination.  This way, children in an area being vaccinated can avoid double vaccination.  The marks do wear off but are reapplied at each vaccination.  

We hope that the beautiful purple display, in early spring, will help us to engage people in discussion about the largest international project performed by the Rotary organisation.  It is supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation which matches the funds we raise in support of the vaccination programme.  The vaccination against Polio has to be worldwide to ensure the virus cannot spread, however, many countries give the vaccine as part of the childhood immunisation measures.  Rotary ensures that children in all other countries receive the opportunity to be vaccinated.

Some Rotarians give their time to raise funds and awareness of this essential programme, others decide to get much more involved, pack their bags and head off to remote parts of the world to help in the administering and recording of vaccination sessions. 

Recently, Aurora members listened to a presentation by Eric Hill, a dedicated Rotarian who explained the programme and gave first hand anecdotes from his trips to help the various vaccination sessions around the world.  Thank you Eric.

Is this something you'd like to support?  Want to know more?  Come and talk to us at Hamilton Lawn Tennis Club, Melton, on a 2nd or 4th Wednesday of each Month.

Thank you for reading, we hope to see you soon.