Thursday, October 24, has been chosen as World Polio Eradication Day by Rotary International. All around Wales, towns, cities and villages are encouraged to focus attention on this very important date in the Rotary calendar by lighting up local buildings in purple colours.

Purple is significant because when a child is given the polio vaccine their little finger (pinkie) is stained purple, thus avoiding any child missing or being given a second dose. The coloured little finger resembles a young purple crocus, so this beautiful little flower has been adopted by the organisation to promote and advertise the importance of ridding the world of the debilitating and life threatening disease of Poliomyelitis.

The medicines and medical treatment costs money and Rotary International fund-raising depends largely on the generosity of the general public throughout the world to support this worthwhile charity. Further to this, each £1 donated is matched by American Bill Gates and his wife Melissa, thus giving a further £2 to the fund, making £3 in total.

Within Saundersfoot the Rotary Club aim to add purple lights to the Harbour Master’s Offices, the clock on the Regency Hall, as well as the stage area in the hall itself. On Tuesday, October 22, at the Craft Fair, a Rotary Showcase will be displayed supporting Polio Eradication. Crocus corms (bulbs) will be on sale, with proceeds going to Polio Eradication charity.

Local Rotarians have planted crocus corms in the shape of a Rotary wheel in the Sensory Garden in Saundersfoot by kind permission of the Saundersfoot Community Council. We look forward to seeing them flower next Spring.

Local schools are also involved in planting crocuses within their grounds and Rotary School Ambassadors will talk to the children and show a video highlighting the dangers of polio in other parts of the world. They may even have the opportunity to volunteer to have their ’pinkie’ painted with a washable purple dye to show their support to children across the world.

The pictures show the planting of crocuses supporting the event.

Our thanks to all people who have made this event possible in Saundersfoot.

For more information about Rotary and membership please contact Brian Waters (secretary) on 01834 813665 or visit our Facebook page.

Brian Jenkins (President of the Rotary Club of Saundersfoot)