End Polio Now

Since 1985, Rotary's key humanitarian priority has been to rid the world of Polio.

Rotary spearheaded the campaign at a time when there were over 1000 polio cases a day in 125 countries, paralysing and even killing children.

Today, the number of cases is down by 99.9%.

Because of the efforts of Rotary and our partners, nearly 19 million people who would otherwise have been paralysed are walking, and more than 1.5 million people are alive who would otherwise have died.

Despite there only being a handful of cases left in the world, over 400 million children still have to receive their polio vacination.  It is important that the immunisation programme continues (even in non-affected countries) for at least three years after the last case reported, to ensure that the virus is elimated and no longer spread by potential carriers.

The club donates to the End Polio Now appeal annually.  The donations are matched 2 for 1 by the Bill Gates Foundation.

You can help by going to our Just Giving page and make a donation.