NOVEMBER 2024 UPDATE - 600 POLIO ERADICATION BULBS PLANTED
More than 25 volunteers turned out last Saturday (November 2) to plant an additional 600 crocus corms in the continuing effort to maintain and 'beautify' York Cemetery. This effort was part of an on-going job by the cemetery 'friends' who turn their hands to various tasks in support of the historic city facility. The crocus corms were donated by Rotary York Ainsty as part of Rotary International's 40-year campaign to eradicate the disease of poliomyelitis from the planet.
The bulk of the corms corms were split into bags of around 30, meaning 20 of the volunteers received a bag each. All were planted within one hour in the Front Lawn area, filling parts deemed lacking from a previous planting some year ago.
Clive Dawson, chairman of the Cemetery Friends, said that, when in bloom, the crocuses put on a magnificent show and they were ‘well worth a visit ‘ to see the blooms in all their glory. (See images below)
PURPLE PLANTING FOR POLIO ERADICATION
More than 10,600 purple crocuses are blooming annually in York Cemetery, recognising Rotary International’s 35-year campaign to rid the world of poliomyelitis. The bulbs bring a colourful reminder of the on-going threat of the killer disease.
The crocuses were planted on the front Baby Lawn in previous years to heighten the awareness of the polio threat each year in the Spring. The Friends of York Cemetery and the Rotary York Ainsty joined to deliver this project.
Local school children from St Lawrence’s Primary School, St Georges Primary School and Fishergate Primary School assisted in the planting. In total, 200 pupils came to help, including 40 from Fishergate’s reception class.
The planting was open to the public with cemetery friends, volunteers assisting and providing refreshments. Rotarians, Geocache group, LifeStyle girls’ group and local people – aged from three-years-old to grandparents. The Lord Mayor and Civic Party also helped with the planting and the event was televised by York TV.
Rotarians seen above at the planting are (left to right) Christine True, Alan Stow, Clive Dawson and RYA club president Martin Simpson. Clive is chairman of the Friends of York Cemetery.
The purple colour of the crocuses has come to represent the Rotary polio eradication campaign… Purple dye is used on a child’s left finger in developing countries across the world to indicate they have been immunised against polio.
A 40-year project by Rotary International
In 1985, Rotary launched its PolioPlus programme, the first initiative to tackle global polio eradication through the mass vaccination of children. In 1985 more than 1,000 children a day were inflicted with polio. Today, the ‘wild’ version of the disease is restricted to just two countries – Pakistan and Afganistan – totalling less than 100 cases a year.
Geographical isolation, poor public infrastructure, armed conflict and cultural barriers are the main factors stopping the total eradication ambitions of Rotary, the World Health Organisation, US centre for disease prevention and others. Until polio is eradicated, all countries remain at risk of new outbreaks. The UK Government - together with other nations – has donated millions to fund the on-going initiative, recognising the dangers the disease posed to the globe’s children.
More than one million Rotary members have donated their time and personal resources to end polio. Every year, hundreds of Rotary members work side-by-side with health workers to vaccinate children in polio-affected countries. Rotary members work with UNICEF and other partners to prepare and distribute mass communication tools to reach people in areas isolated by conflict, geography, or poverty. Rotary members also recruit fellow volunteers, assist with transporting the vaccine, and provide other logistical support.
'What We Do' Main Pages:
Rotary York Ainsty Rotarians embark on a massive purple crocus planting campaign to mark World Polio Day on October 24 at the Folk Hall, New Earswick, York.
moreRotary York Ainsty, working in cooperation with two other Rotary Clubs in different countries, is developing a project which will bring medical aid to a remote region of Albania - Fushë Arrëz.
moreFull details and list of the RYA Santa Sleigh in York and district in the run-up to Christmas 2024
moreThe highly-regarded SpecSort initiative - a flagship project of Rotary York Ainsty - is expanding its sphere of operation by delivering sorted and graded pre-owned glasses to more countries across the globe.
moreYorkits - making and supplying washable feminine hygiene kits for girls in developing countries
moreA 'Signature' project for Rotary York Ainsty. Members collect glasses from opticians then sort and grade them, before taking to Africa. RUTH PEROTT awarded an MBE in the Queen's New Year's honours. Link: https://tinyurl.com/MBESpecSort
moreYork optometrist Ruth Perrott was honoured with the award of an MBE in the Queen's New Year's 2021 list for her work in supporting visually impaired patients in Africa. She recently attended a ceremony where she received her award from Prince William.
moreSow, Grow and Share is now an over-arching title which encompasses the various diverse initiatives including Rotary York Ainsty providing growing kits to produce fresh food for participants in the York locale.
moreRotary York Ainsty has honoured York-based charities and individuals who partnered with Rotary to mitigate the effects of the Covid-10 Pandemic on the communities in York and district
moreRotary York Ainsty membership opportunities are listed and detailed here - click on the image to advance to the detail.
moreA joint initiative with local organisations and schools to plant crocuses, the purple crocus blooms reminding all of the on-going threat of poliomyelitis to the world's children.
moreTeam players wanted to join us in our many York community-based projects - with local, national and international benefits. Find out more below.
moreTeam players wanted to join us to assist us in our many community initiatives - with INTERNATIONAL benefits... Find out more here.
moreYorkits - making and supplying washable feminine hygiene kits for girls in developing countries
moreEco Angels is a Rotary York Ainsty (RYA) initiative that aims to transform waste plastic into attractive Angels. For a voluntary donation to the Yorkits project (which helps to change lives) RYA is providing basic armature shaped kits.
moreA York-based organic nursery and craft workshop is providing a safe and secure community working environment for those with learning difficulties.
moreToyLikeMe is a York-based community-interest company which encourages and influences toy manufacturers to consider disability when designing their products.
moreRotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is an intensive leadership experience organised by Rotary clubs and districts where teenagers develop skills as a leader while having fun and making connections.
moreHow to show an interest in joining Rotary York Ainsty - A selection of membership application forms
moreFollow the travels of Santa as he tours streets and villages of York bringing the Christmas message to local communities.
moreAn archive of Press Releases circulated to the media of York - including cuttings and links to original documents and resources.
moreYearsley Grove School in Huntington, York support Rotary York Ainsty's Polio Eradication project
moreYork area school pupils aimed for top marks in ingenuity as they swapped their classroom for a design and construction challenge - the RiY Technology Tournament, which was held at the international headquarters of Portakabin, in Huntington, York.
moreRotarians and volunteers have been out and about assisting with Marie Curie cancer care collections in York.
moreThe heart defibrillator at Copmanthorpe is ready for use, installed courtesy of Rotary York Ainsty.
moreA photo-gallery featuring some images taken on the 2018 visit to RYA's 'twin' club in Münster, Germany - Münster St Mauritz.
moreRYA have an active social program, usually held during the first week of the month in place of the traditional club meeting. This is open to relatives, friends and anyone interested in Rotary.
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