Let's Grow Together and End Polio Now

For over 30 years, Rotary has been working hard to rid the world of polio – a terrible disease that can kill or severely disable children and adults; and this year Maidenhead Bridge Rotary Club is bringing a bit of purple to Maidenhead to spread awareness.
 
When Rotary started the campaign to eradicate polio, there were cases present in 125 countries worldwide, now just two countries remain polio endemic; Afghanistan and Pakistan. During that time, Rotary has helped immunise over 2.5 billion children and reduce the number of polio cases by 99.9%. The eradication of polio is tantalisingly close and we want you to get involved and help us finish the job.
 
Rotary has partnered with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) to plant 5 million crocus corms this October, which will flower in February 2017 to brighten up communities across Great Britain and Ireland. It’s time to get those green fingers at the ready!
 
Maidenhead Bridge Rotary were out in force on Saturday 15th October in Grenfell Park armed with 5000 crocus corns to plant.  By covering our parks, gardens and green spaces with crocuses, we are aiming to demonstrate how the humble crocus can symbolise a colourful splash of hope for a new beginning for children and how working together whilst having fun in the process can make a huge difference.
 
Adam Hunter, joint club community chairman, commented “You may ask why purple?  The purple crocus is a symbol of Rotary’s worldwide campaign to eradicate polio, with its colour representing the dye used to mark the finger of a child who has been immunised. It costs just £1 to immunise five children and protect them for life.”