Raising awareness of Berkhamsted Rotary's aim to help eradicate Polio

Berkhamsted Rotary is raising awareness of the battle to eradicate Polio, ahead of World Polio Day on October 24.

In August, Africa was declared free of Polio and there are now only two countries with polio, with your support rotary is helping to win the battle.

The Rotary movement’s role in this global campaign, when there were over 318,000 cases in over 130 countries, has been crucial and central.

Berkhamsted Rotary’s contribution, with double match funding from the Gates Foundation, has provided vaccinations for nearly 100,000 people in recent years.

Funds raised by Berkhamsted and other Rotary Clubs throughout the world are donated to both local and international good causes, including End Polio Now.

The World Health Organisation has just declared Africa Polio Free after four years reporting no new cases.

The number of wild polio cases is dropping and is now restricted to Pakistan and Afghanistan - 22 cases in total so far in 2020.

Paul Craig, the Club’s International Team chairman said: "Berkhamsted Rotary members are proud to be playing a part in defeating this terrible disease.

"The battle’s nearly won, but we can’t let up now. With the help of our generous local communities - Rotary will keep supporting the fight until polio is just a memory."

World Polio Day on October 24, is a day to remember how far we have come in defeating this disease, and raise awareness that, with a bit more effort, we can erase it from the world.

Polio is just a memory in this country, but it was once a major killer and left many others paralysed or disabled.

To donate to the End Polio Now campaign, visit www.endpolio.org