FOCUS ON THE CROCUS 2017

PLANTING BULBS FOR POLIO ERADICATION

  Across the U K local Rotary Clubs invited schools and youth groups to Grow your Own Crocus.  This initiative is designed to educate youing people about the devastating disease of Polio, and how Rotary International alongside the World Health Organisation is working to eradicate the virus worldwide.

   Over 30 years ago Rotary International and its partners  launched its Global Polio Ertdication project.  Today the incidence of Polio has plummeted by 99.90%, thats from 350,000 reported new cases per year, to  37.  In order to sustain this progress and protect all children from the Polio virus, Rotary is committed, over the next 3 years, to raise US$ 150million.

  The Crocus was chosen because the colour of purple matches the dye painted on the fingers of children who have been immunised.

  600 children from Coppice Primary Academy, Oldham, helped plant 10,000 crocus bulbs around their school grounds.

  They were assisted by The Worshipful Mayor of Oldham, Councillor Sadab Quimer, along with Oldham Rotary Club President Elect Derek Berryman and Past President Ray Coverley whoi arranged the whole event.

  Polio was conquered in the U K in the 1980's, there are still more than 100,000 survivors.

  The Polio virus is still active in Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan, but with only 10 reported new cases reported this year.

  In 2020 Its Rotary's hope the world will be certified Polio free.