Rotary Foundation

Rotary's own charity raising funds for eradication of Polio across the world and supporting local and international educational needs.


Foundation benefits from the experience of long serving and experienced Rotarians to support the work of Rotary Foundation, one of the largest charities in the world.

Principal Projects are:

  • The eradication of Polio worldwide. Over the last 30 years Rotary has had spectacular results in this area.  Newmarket, on an annual basis, organises fundraising projects to support this work. Due to the pandemic we were unable to call on teachers and children of Exning Primary School  to plant further crocus bulbs in the grounds of Landwade Hall, Exning in October.  However, the previous year's corms  matured and in February 2020, just before 'lockdown' the Foundation and Local Lions Club joined forces in the wind and the rain and held a Spring Stroll through the grounds of Landwade Hall, in Exning, (by kind permssion of the late Hon. Simon Gibson). The walkers were greeted by a carpet of purple crocus and snowdrops.  The funds raised at this event went direct to the Eradication of Polio across the world fund. The good news is that the continuing donations from Rotary since 1984, has in 2020 seen a huge success, in that Nigeria and the whole of Africa are Polio free. The virus is now only present in the tribal lands of Pakistan and Afganistan.  Thanks to you we are one step away from total eradication. Despite not being able to organise a walk this year we have been able to raise a further £1000 for the eradication of polio. Then thanks to the District doubling up scheme and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation this will become a £6000 contribution to the fund.
  • The exchange of International Rotary Scholars, support them during their period of study at Universities in East Anglia.
  • Supporting students who are studying at Bradford University who are on Rotary Peace and Conflict Resolution Fellowship courses.

With Covid restrictions being lifted we are hopeful of being able to resume fund raising activities in 2021/22.

Rotary Foundation sub-pages:

Newmarket Clock Tower on World Polio Day.

World Polio Day

more ​The Rotary Club of Newmarket marked historic progress toward a polio-free world while urging the community to help end the paralyzing disease. The Town landmark Clock Tower was lit up Purple to mark this event.