The Berkhamsted Rotary Club once again joined the fight to eradicate polio, a viral infection, by taking part in World Polio Day.
The annual event, which took part on October 24 this year, saw the rotary movement continue its fight to eradicate the condition.
When the rotary’s movement started in 1988, there were over 318,000 cases in over 130 countries, but now that number has dramatically reduced, with The World Health Organisation recently declaring Africa polio-free after four years.
Berkhamsted Rotary’s contribution alone, 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.
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 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 endpolio.org
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