Perth Rotary Gets Moving to End Polio

In 2023 the team organised a “Walk a Mile for Polio” in line with that year’s national initiative.  There was a good turn-out of Rotarians, family and friends at Bells Sports Centre on Sunday 22^nd October where they set off walk a mile on the North Inch, Perth.

Rotary International, along with the Bill Gates Foundation, has been involved in the “Global Polio Eradication Initiative” since 1979 with the first project to vaccinate children in the Philippines.  By 2023 the funds raised around the world had contributed to the reduction in polio cases by 99.9%.

It mainly affects children under 5 years old.  There is no cure but polio is preventable with a safe and effective vaccine.  It is crucial that we continue the work of vaccination to ensure that countries remain polio-free. Already we have witnessed a rise in cases in Gaza.

Perth Rotary has been contributing for many years, last year donating £2,000 directly to the Eradicating Polio Fund with an additional £3,500 going to the Rotary International Annual Fund. For every £1 donated to the Eradication Fund the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation provides another £2 contribution.

Rotary are not alone in supporting this initiative with PKC and other Perth organisations commemorating World Polio Day on 24^th October.  

This year a group of Rotarians and family walked through Perth to view the Old Perth Bridge (Smeaton’s), St. Pauls Square and St. Matthews church which were all beautifully being lit up in purple (the brand colour of all activities supporting Polio Eradication) to support this important initiative.

For more information https://www.rotarygbi.org/our-causes/end-polio-now/