Our International Service Projects

Rotary International’s main project for the last 30 years has been the eradication of polio. In 1988 Rotary co-founded the Global Polio Eradication Initiative with the World Health Organisation, UNICEF and the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.  Later, the Bill and Melissa Gates Foundation added its support.

Since 1988, polio has been eliminated in 99% of countries, remaining endemic in only Pakistan and Afghanistan. In October, 2019, it was announced  that Type 3 polio had been totally eliminated woeldwide.

Rotary continues to support research and immunisation through its campaign “End Polio Now”.  A recent sponsored cycle ride in Arizona, USA raised over $4million for the cause.  The campaign emblem is the purple crocus, and you will see them in the form of lapel flowers for sale in shops and hotels. 

Newport Pagnell Rotary has been instrumental in planting purple crocus displays in a number  of locations within the town.  The  main display is close to the town's fire station, where purple crocuses have been planted several times, most recently in October 2019. The display will be at its best in February/ March each year,

We collect and recycle spectacles through Vision Aid Overseas.  Over 47,000 pairs of unwanted spectacles collected by our Club at opticians, doctor's surgeries and other places have helped improve the vision of thousands in developing countries.

Our annual Jaipur Limb Charity Dinner at the Jaipur Restaurant in Milton Keynes, which was held for 23 years, the last one in March, 2019,  has raised over £55,000 to support the Rotary Jaipur Limb project.  This UK Charity provides low cost prosthetics to amputees in developing countries, restoring their mobility and enabling them to work. 

Our Club purchases Shelter Boxes to provide emergency accommodation and essential supplies to victims of disasters.

Rotary is committed to World Peace through global student and vocational exchanges, and Rotary Peace Centres.