The reason why this part of Welshpool has gone purple!
The purple crocus is a symbol of Rotary International’s fight to eradicate polio throughout the world.
When children have taken part in the immunisation programme, they have their little finger dipped in purple dye by Rotary volunteers in the countries at risk in Africa, Asia and Middle East. This is to ensure children are not dosed twice with the drops on the tongue.
Polio was once prevalent in the UK with many having to spend their lives in “Iron Lungs”. It wasn’t until the UK and the western world embarked on its own immunisation programme that it was eradicated for us.
Rotary, working with the United Nations and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for over 30 years, has succeeded in making the world more than 99.9% polio free but, sadly, we still have the odd cases reported by the World Health each year.
“This shows the need to redouble efforts to help Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria to retain strong immunisation coverage and, hopefully, to rid the world of this highly infectious and disabling disease which can be fatal. The world must be free of Polio for three clear years before the work is done,” a Rotary spokesperson said.
Anyone wishing to know more about the Rotary programme can visit the End Polio web site at www.endpolio.org.
If you are interested in learning more about Welshpool Rotary and how to get involved in their community work, they meet on the second and fourth Wednesday at 12.30pm at the Royal Oak.
Contact Mike Lade on 07803 038858, welshpoolrotary@gmail.com or visit www.welshpoolrotary.com. Also on Facebook @rotaryinwelshpool.
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