MEMBERS of Frome Rotary clubs have continued the annual tradition of planting crocus bulbs around Frome to mark their support in the fight to eradicate polio.
4,000 purple crocuses were planted by Frome Selwood Rotary in front of the town centre library and Frome Rotary, supported by Frome town ranger, Mark, planted thousands more at the riverside Chateau Gontier walk.
Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a paralyzing and potentially deadly infectious disease that most commonly affects children under the age of 5. The virus spreads from person to person, typically through contaminated water. It can then attack the nervous system.
The Rotary organisation worldwide has been working to eradicate polio for more than 35 years, when there were 125 polio endemic countries and hundreds of new cases every single day. In the first nine months of 2021, just two cases of wild polio were reported worldwide, one each in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
To support the effort to defeat this devastating disease, the three Rotary Clubs in Frome will be donating £1,000 on behalf of the Frome community, raised from the jointly-run charity shop, to further the aim of a polio-free world.
The purple crocus is part of the “Purple4Polio” activities chosen as a symbol of the campaign because when a child receives the lifesaving polio drops at mass polio immunisation days, their little finger is painted with a purple dye so it is clear they have received their polio vaccine.
Terry Bushell, Rotary Foundation lead for Frome Rotary says, “We have all learnt the importance of vaccination during the Covid-19 pandemic and it is important we continue to support the eradication of polio, which is a goal that is within sight of being achieved”.
Guy Parkinson, president of Frome Selwood Rotary said, “We’re proud to be marking World Polio Day locally and recognising the work of Rotary and our partners and the millions of people involved in so many ways in the fight for a polio-free world. Only together can we end polio, a virus that is still potentially just a plane ride away.
“We have seen over the past two years with Covid-19, that cases of a disease anywhere, is a threat to everyone, everywhere. We’ve also seen the power of vaccines and community togetherness, and how we can all play our part. Rotary’s dream is for a polio-free world.”
To get involved in Rotary and make a difference in your community and around the world, visitwww.fromeselwoodrotary.org.uk.
