Civic Mayor supports Rotarians in effort to eradicate polio

Polio is caused by the polio virus and, although very rare, the virus can attack the parts of the brain that help you breathe, which can lead to death.

The highly contagious disease has no cure but can be prevented through vaccination.

Polio – which causes irreversible paralysis – mainly infects children under the age of five because they are least likely to be fully vaccinated.

Rotary’s fight against Polio began in 1979 and, with the assistance of the World Health Organisation, has helped to immunise over 2.5 billion children against Polio.

In 1988, there were an estimated 350,000 cases of Polio across 125 countries. But with only 33 cases so far this year – most of which have been in areas around the boundaries of Pakistan and Afghanistan – Polio is close to being eradicated across the world.

Mike Weir, the president of Dukinfield and Stalybridge Rotary Club, said the club is “very proud of its continued support” for the End Polio Now campaign.

He commented: “We are one of the largest donors to the campaign from the Rotary clubs in the North West district and proud that our efforts and contributions are helping Rotary International to deliver on its promise to eradicate polio across the globe. This will be Rotary’s greatest gift to the world.”

The club is holding a Curry Night for members and friends at the Candolim restaurant in Stalybridge on Thursday, October 31, with all proceeds being donated to the End Polio Now campaign.

Thank you to Gemma at 'The Correspondent' for the above article.