End Polio Now

24th October is World Polio Day

Most know it as poliovirus. The virus is spread person to person, typically through contaminated water. It can attack the nervous system, and in some instances, lead to paralysis. Although there is no cure, there is a safe and effective vaccine – one which Rotary and our partners use to immunize over 2.5 billion children worldwide.

In 1985 Rotary International launches PolioPlus, the first and largest internationally coordinated private-sector support of a public health initiative, with an initial fundraising target of US$120 million.

PURPLE FOR POLIO APPEAL...

To mark World Polio Day on 24 October, Holy Trinity Church and Skipton Town Hall on the High Street will be floodlit in purple, the colour of Rotary’s ‘End Polio Now’ campaign.

The buildings will be illuminated from 17 to 24 October to highlight Rotary International’s efforts to eradicate polio, a disabling and potentially fatal disease that once affected millions of children each year.

Rotary adopted purple because, during mass polio-immunisation campaigns, a child’s little finger is marked with indelible purple dye after they receive the oral vaccine. This simple “purple pinkie” system shows vaccinators which children have already been treated and helps ensure that no child is missed or vaccinated twice.

The colour therefore became a powerful visual symbol of vaccination and Rotary’s commitment to eradicating polio. Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland incorporated it into the Purple4Polio campaign, including purple lighting and the planting of purple crocuses, to raise public awareness and funds for the final push against the disease. Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland

Since the ‘End Polio Now’ campaign began in 1985, global polio cases have fallen by more than 99%. Today, cases continue to be reported in only a few countries, including Afghanistan and Pakistan.

If you wish to donate to this lifesaving effort, please send donations to -

Skipton Rotary Trust Fund, sort code 01-07-93, a/c No. 53231449 marking the reference as Polio. All donations received will be matched by Bill Gates's foundation to double the effect."