The Rotary Club of Dartmouth is racing ahead in its mission to eradicate the world of the awful disease that is polio.
As the club celebrates its 100th birthday this month, one of the largest projects they are undertaking is the PolioPlus programme, which has effected 350,000 children since the programme started.
However, this year there have only been 12 cases in Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan compared to the 37 cases which occurred in 2016.
Awareness of this disease has been highlighted by the upcoming film ‘Breathe’ which follows the life of Robin Cavendish who became paralysed from the neck down at the age of 28 and then went on to change the lives for many other disabled people.
The issue is receiving national attention, emphasising the severity of the disease; the UK Government has recently pledged £100 million to PolioPlus.
Priti Patel, the International Development Secretary said: “There are no words which can describe the horrors we are witnessing in terms of famine, drought and persecution.”
The Rotary Foundation, established in 1917 was created to support causes just like this one-with their first most noteworthy programme, the Ambassadorial Scholarships winning numerous awards. Over the years, 40,000 have been awarded for the advancement of world peace and understanding.
The 3 H programme, Health, Hunger and Humanity has supported humanity projects across the world which has been made possible by generous contributions from Rotarians, the public and financial institutions.
Recent projects promoted by the Dartmouth Rotary Club have included ‘Reading Buddies’ which involves improving literacy for local pupils.
Dartmouth Club Foundation Chairman, Mike Bennett said: “These are all worthwhile international projects to which we give outstanding support in addition to the great support we give to local organisations.”
Anyone wishing to donate towards the eradication of polio should go to endpolio.org or leave a cheque made out to the Rotary Club of Dartmouth at Reception at the Royal Castle Hotel for the President of the Rotary Club of Dartmouth.