END POLIO NOW CAMPAIGN

End Polio Day - 24 October 2024

Every year Rotary clubs from around the world turn their attention to world Polio Day on 24 October each year and End Polio Now Campaign to eradicate polio from around the world through a vaccination programme and monies raised again this year by Epsom Rotary Club in support. 

The importance is enhanced as there are still cases of Polio and some new finds. Polio mainly affects children under 5. Howeer, anyone of any age who is unvaccinated can contract the virus. The virus mainly affects nerves in the spinal cord or brain stem and can create paralysis and even death. There is no cure but it can only be prevented by the polio vaccine and Polio remains a problem in poor undeveloped countries. The current reported countries are a small number of cases in Afganistain and Pariston but the world remains at risk of polio importation with a number of countries still reporting cases.

Once the children are vaccinated - their nail is painted purple and for years Rotary have developed a purple theme to End Polio Now and indeed at the marketplace stall at Epsom Town Centre on Saturday, 26 October, we sold purple crocus bulbs and small purple gifts. 

The turnout from the club was proundly strong with an emphasis of thanks to Anne and Clive who prepared the event going the extra mile to ensure the bulbs were available on the day, bagged and planted some bulbs to also sell and arranged a pot creative activitity for children to engage with. The display board highlighted the Campaign and generally the public engaged, and the stall caught many of those passing, with collections towards the campaign at the end of the day totalled an imcedible £474.42 and any final total will be doubled by the Bill Gates Foundation, there being still a fair number of crocus bulbs for sale, and the various methods of accepting donations to include text, to also be considered.