Perth Rotary Gets Moving to End Polio

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, on Friday 24th October, a group of Rotarians and family will walk through Perth to view the Old Perth Bridge (Smeaton’s), St. Pauls Square and St. Matthews church which will be all beautifully lit up in purple (the brand colour of all activities supporting Polio Eradication) to support this important initiative.  You are very welcome to come along.  Meet us at St. Paul's at 6.30pm.

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