As you wander around Wolverhampton keep an eye out for the purple crocuses which have been planted by the Tettenhall and the City’s other Rotary clubs to raise awareness of our vaccination project which is helping to eradicate polio worldwide.
The polio virus is a highly infectious disease most commonly affecting children aged under 5. The virus is spread person to person, attacking the nervous system, and can lead to paralysis. Although there is no cure, there is a safe, inexpensive and effective vaccine – one which Rotary and our partners use to immunize over 2.5 billion children worldwide.
When Rotary started the campaign to eradicate polio, there were cases present in 125 countries worldwide, now cases have been reduced by 99.9% and just two countries remain polio endemic; Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Through the actions of thousands of volunteers working together with Rotary the eradication of polio is tantalisingly close and we want you to get involved and help us finish the job.
Email us at info@tettenhallrotary.org.uk to find out more about joining or volunteering with Rotary to see how you can make a real difference locally, nationally and internationally.
If volunteering isn’t for you then you can still help us to continue to protect children around the world from this horrendous disease with a life-changing vaccine – which costs just 20p – by Donating now. For every pound you donate the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will donate a further two pounds.