Rotarians from neighbouring clubs worked in perfect harmony together to continue their fight against a deadly disease.
Rotary Club of Rugby & Rotary Club of Rugby Saturday Breakfast joined musical forces to stage the End Polio Now concert, which took place in a packed St Marks Church in Bilton – lit up in Polio campaign purple.
The event, which raised £3,600, showcased the talents of the Woodland Singers, Rugby Male Voice Choir and the Ukrainian Singers, to mark World Polio Day.
Spokesperson for The Rotary Club of Rugby, Pauline Kimber, said: “If we stopped the immunisations now – within 10 years there would be possibly 200,000 deaths per annum worldwide from Polio. As it was we raised almost £1,200 and with matching grants makes it up to £3,600 enabling up to save over 7,000 children’s lives from the disease (each dose of vaccine costs just approx. 0.50p).
“The disease is now only endemic in Pakistan and Afghanistan, political systems hold us up there – but it means that the virus could be just a plane ride away. We have to keep vaccinating ALL children worldwide to ensure continuing immunity.”
President Stuart Boulton told everyone of Rotary’s continuing fight against the disease. It was also a sad goodbye to Hilary Griffiths, the leader and inspiration of the Woodland Singers for many years – who is moving away from Rugby.
Dr John Clegg was able to join the celebration, which has been an annual event for many years. He told everyone firsthand of the work he does with Polio camps in India. Knowing what’s happening ‘on the ground’ makes the whole concept of Polio eradication more accessible.
Rotary Club of Rugby members meet on the first and third Fridays of each month, adding a guest night on the Thursday of any month with five Fridays. More information can be found HERE.
Rotary Club of Rugby Saturday Breakfast meets weekly on Saturday mornings. Find more information on their Facebook page HERE.
