All About Rotary's "End Polio Now" Campaign

Most British doctors and nurses working today will never have treated a case of polio

The effects of Polio.

Polio mainly affects children under five and can cause rapid paralysis and sometimes death.

Once a worldwide scourge, concentrated vaccination efforts have caused the total number of cases to drop from about 350,000 in 1988 to to just 37 last year, in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria.

Few people under 50 in the UK will know anything about the devistating effects of this disease and therefore not understand the need to eradicate it completely. These videos take a harrowing look at Polio.

What is Polio?

Most British doctors and nurses working today will never have treated a case of polio.

The closest most of us ever come to the polio virus is swallowing a sugarcube containing the oral vaccine or taking our children for their jabs. Today, we stand on the brink of eradicating polio from the world.

Yet for anyone over the age of 50, polio still casts nightmarish shadows of babies entombed in iron lungs, children hobbling in leg irons and adults confined in wheelchairs. Seemingly appearing out of nowhere in unstoppable epidemics, polio killed or paralysed millions, and mostly affected children. The disease grabbed headlines, stoked panic and drove massive fundraising campaigns. Doctors and scientists were powerless to prevent or treat the scourge.


Dr Paul Alexander has been in an iron lung since the age of six! He has endured this for over 60 years and met challenges of the disabling effect of Polio with determination and courage. His story will help to understand what he has gone through ...


Here is a series of videos to revisit all about polio ....

Part 1

Polio survivors share their accounts of what it was like to live through the polio epidemic as children. Historian Dr. Daniel Wilson, author of the book “Polio Voices” leads us through a brief history of polio and its first U.S. outbreaks. An animation shows how the polio virus infects the human body.



Part 2

In 1920, Franklin D. Roosevelt was the shining star of the Democratic Party and a Vice Presidential candidate when he was struck down with Polio. This segment traces FDR’s journey to Warm Springs, Georgia as he desperately tries to find relief from the effects of Polio for himself and others. John Steinhauer talks about his time at the Warm Springs Rehabilitation Center with FDR.

Part 3

Dianne Odell of Jackson, Tennessee has lived in an iron lung longer than anyone alive. She tells the story of the day she fell ill with polio and describes what it’s been like to live her life in an iron lung and why it is the only way for Dianne and others like her to survive.

Part 4

With no cure in sight, scientists and researchers began the race to prevent polio. With FDR’s help the U.S. witnessed the creation of the fundraising powerhouse now known as the March of Dimes to help find a vaccine. In this segment, we take a look back at the brilliant work of Dr. Jonas Salk and Dr. Albert Sabin both credited with discovering two very different, but effective vaccines, as well as the grave mistakes that were made in the rush to stop Polio. The last surviving member of Salk’s dream team shares his perspective.

Part 5

The World Health Organization has declared Polio conquered in the Western Hemisphere, but Polio has returned to the U.S and still remains a problem worldwide. This segment examines why some parents are not getting their children vaccinated. It also explores a nightmare scenario in which polio reemerges in the U.S.


Part 6

Hear first-hand from Polio survivors who worked hard to regain mobility following their bouts with polio as children only to find that decades later their bodies are beginning to fail. They’re facing a condition known as Post Polio Syndrome. See why Post Polio Syndrome is a growing problem and why its treatment is counterintuitive.


Serious challenges, including violent attacks on health workers by Islamists, poor routine immunisation coverage and rumours the vaccine causes impotence make this a precarious possibility. But if India can do it, why not the world?

News Report

'What We Do' Main Pages:

A brief outline of a presentation about John Guilford Miles, who lost his life at the Second Battle of the Somme, during the 1st World War.

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Rtn. Arthur Bowles entertained us with a presentation of his visit to the Camargue, in the South of France

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Mel’s daughter Karen Docwra and her partner Mike Cable receiving the award on Mel’s behalf.  Rtn. John Newman presenting the Certificate

The presentation of our Annual Community Service Award, on Tuesday, 11th. March, 2014.

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Members enjoyed a guided tour of the Scylla, being the largest and newest vessel of Seajacks fleet.

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Malcolm Ferrow describes how he developed an interest in antiques and consequently his business evolved.

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The picture shown Andrew with President Diana Loveland .

Andrew Brogan who is the owner and creator of Henstead Exotic Garden, gave a presentation about his garden.

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John Leeson gave us on an interesting journey of his life"™s work experiences as a member of the Institute of Civil Engineers

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Great Yarmouth Rotary Club goes through a fitness routine

The Grand Duchess Aranda der Radonda called us all to our feet and then took us through her fitness routine. Her Grace was visiting us as our guest speaker under the name of Anne Francis and her theme was “How to keep fit and have fun”.

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An illustrated talk by Dr. Nick Ireland, "Trekking in Nepal"

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District Governor Elect, Rtn. Nick Corke visit

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Members and friends enjoyed a very warm and sunny afternoon by the Broad at Ormesby St. Michael, at the Boat House of Rtn. Pat Stuart and her family This event named the ‘Summer Frolics’ consists of eats, drinks and games, with trips on the Broad.

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Teams from various businesses and organisations taking  part, pitting their wits over ten rounds of varied questions

The 2014 Great Yarmouth Rotary Club Annual Quiz

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Former Vicar of Horning, the Rev. Hugh Edgell, gave a very informative presentation about the Dead Sea Scrolls.

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Amanda Bayfield the Community Manager of YMCA (Norfolk) talked about the work of the local YMCA

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Installation of President John Newman, Vice President Gillian Brown and Junior Vice President Martin Keable on Tuesday, 2nd July, 2013.

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Rtn. President Martin Keable with Rtn. Ron Stokes

A history of Colman's of Norwich presented by ran. Rod Stokes

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Mr. John Balls from the Norfolk Titanic Association who spoke to us about the Norfolk survivors of the Titanic.

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A presentation about what the Samaritans do, their organisation and how they help troubled people

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A presentation about courses being offered to staff in the NHS, Care homes and others explaining how to use reminiscence as a help for those suffering from dementia

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The picture shows Sea Jacks with their Trophy.

Our Charity Quiz at Lynn Grove School, Gorleston, where fifteen teams from various businesses and organizations took part pitting their wits over ten rounds of varied questions set by a former member of the Club

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The Regional Quiz Final, 2016, held in Soham

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An very interesting and informative talk by Jessica Hiscocks who is the Regional Fundraising Officer (East) for Alzheimers Research, based in Cambridge

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What was the answer? Rotary Club Quiz 2013.

Rotary Club of Great Yarmouth are holding their annual Town Quiz on the evening of Friday, the 28th February, 2014, at Lynn Grove High School, Gorleston.

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John Balls gave an overview about the orchestra on the titanic.

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An evening talk about some interesting aspects of the First World War.

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Matt Williams explained how the National Standard called “Bikeability” helps both young and old alike to be responsible on a cycle and helping them to be confident on the road.

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Ben Stone gave an explanation of the YMCA services which rare open to those between the ages of 16 and 25 and how they are able to be accommodated for up to two years as well as helping with life skills.

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Rotarian Ian Graham, President of the Rotary Club of Aylsham with Great Yarmouth Rotary Club President Gillian Brown

Rotarian Ian Graham, President of the Rotary Club of Aylsham gave a presentation about Aid to schools in Mnarani & Matsangoni, Kenya,

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Newly Installed Mayor of Great Yarmouth visits the Great Yarmouth Rotary Club

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David Cook talked about his hobby and full time business, caring for his birds and showing them with visits to schools, clubs, fetes and birthday parties.

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A glimpse into the time of a child evacuee during the Second World War

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installation of our new President Rtn. Gillian Brown for the year 2014/2015.

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Traffic in Ho Chi Minh City

On Tuesday, 15th January, 2013, Rotarian Peter Burman illustrated talk to the Rotary Club of Great Yarmouth about his trip to Vietnam.

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Our new President Rtn. Gillian Brown for the year 2014/2015.

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Speaker John Balls talks about about the magic of the Musicals of the 1940’s to 1960’s

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President Gillian Brown presents a bouquet to Chairman of the local Charity Home Start, Mrs Ann Keable

Our annual New Year’s Lunch, our speaker on this occasion, was Ann Keable, Chairman of the local Charity Home Start.

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Rtn. David Cooke from the Norwich Club who was to deliver a talk on some interesting facts about Corgi toys.

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Jonathan Wyatt Big Band in concert at the Pavilion Theatre Gorleston.

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The Club welcomed Dr. John Applegate of the Acle Emergency Response Team.

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Our picture shows Senior Vice President Martin Keable, presenting a cheque for £422, to Maxine Taylor, who is the Centre’s chief fundraiser on the right and Roberta Lovick who is the mother of Louise Hamilton after which the Centre is named

Our Club has made donations of £682 raised during the last Rotary Year to the Targeted Radiotherapy Appeal, at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital & £422 to the Louise Hamilton Centre, at the James Paget University Hospital from our annual Quiz

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A Donation to the Great Yarmouth Minster Preservation Trust & Mr. David Pratt gave a presentation of his experiences beneath the sea in many exotic places in the world,

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Jessica Hiscocks from the Charity Whizz Kidz, explained that the charity she was representing endeavoured to make available to all disabled children the right equipment to enable them to enjoy as fully as possible an ordinary life.

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South Africa and the world thanks just one man for his miracle, Nelson Mandela.

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President Gillian Brown with  General the Lord Richard Dannatt and his wife Lady Philippa Dannatt, High Sheriff for Norfolk.

Our 90th Anniversary of our Charter evening at the Imperial Hotel Great Yarmouth. The principal guest for the evening was General the Lord Richard Dannatt GCB,CBE,MC,DL who was accompanied by his wife Lady Philippa Dannatt MBE High Sheriff for Norfolk.

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Rtn. Arthur Bowles entertained us with a presentation of his visit to the Camargue in the South of France.

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A presentation from Dr. Nick Ireland's visit to Peru.

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Peter Mackness explained how important Rubber and Rice was to the Sri Lankan economy and how they are grown in such great quantities

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Jonathan Wyatt Big Band

The Rotary Club of Great Yarmouth sponsored the Jonathan Wyatt Big Band, as they returned with “Swingin’ with the Big Band” at the Pavilion Theatre, Gorleston for a Charity evening of Big Band classics on Saturday, 8th June, 2013, at 7-30 pm

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Claude Scott and our President John Newman

Claude Scott, assisted by Tom Green entertained us last Tuesday with an illustrated talk entitled “Return to the Congo”.

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Our 2014 Annual Foundation Meeting and speaker Rotaractor Abdul – Razak Yakbu who is an Ambassadorial Scholar at the University of East Anglia talked about his work in Ghana

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An enjoyable time was had by all!

Our 89th Charter Anniversary with a dinner held at The Imperial Hotel. Rotarian Mike Mizen, who is a First World War Battlefields Guide, enthusiastically delivered a talk on the First day of the Battle of the Somme.

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Rachel Cooper gave us an insight to the Village Water Project in Zambia

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Remembering the 1st World War we were able to listen and join in a miscellany of both music and readings of the period.

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Sammy Morgan, a local boy who made a name for himself in the world of professional football.

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Great Yarmouth Haven's Ian McCreadie, with President John Newman and Gorleston's Tom Pace.

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A sunny afternoon by the Broad at Ormesby St. Michael at the Boat House of Rtn. Pat Stuart and her family. This event has become named the ‘Summer Frolics’ and consists of eats drinks and games with trips on the Broad

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Jan Davis, the Emergency Planning Manager of the Great Yarmouth Borough Council spoke to us about emergencies which can arise from numerous causes and which needed to be acted upon quickly and effectively affecting the Great Yarmouth Area

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A celebration of Rtn. John Newman’s year of office as our President

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An illustrated talk by Dr. Nick Ireland, "Trekking in Nepal"

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An outline of the Smoke Alarm Project, proposed by the South Norwich Rotary Club in conjunction with the Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, that all vulnerable households will be provided with a smoke detector, free of charge.

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Rotarian Ian Graham, President of the Rotary Club of Aylsham with Great Yarmouth Rotary Club President Gillian Brown

Rotarian Ian Graham, President of the Rotary Club of Aylsham gave a presentation about Aid to schools in Mnarani & Matsangoni, Kenya,

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