Focus on the Crocus

To celebrate Rotary’s birthday on 23rd February when Chicago lawyer Paul Harris held the first meeting in 1905, Hucknall Rotary Club are placing their ‘Focus on the Crocus.’

The Crocus has come to symbolise a historic worldwide campaign, spearheaded by Rotary International, to finally eradicate Polio across the world.  These purple flowers represent the colour of ink dabbed on a child’s little finger to indicate they have been immunised against polio.  For more than 25 years, Rotary has led the way in the global effort to rid the world of this crippling disease.  Today, we are extremely close to eradicating Polio completely from the world with only 3 remaining endemic countries. 

In 2009, Rotary International was set the $ 200 Million Challenge.  A generous $ 355 million gift from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation would be given to Rotary if the organisation could part match with $ 200m by June 2012, to be used in the fight against polio.

In January 2012, that challenge was met, nearly six months ahead of schedule.  Rotary members in Great Britain and Ireland and all over the world had succeeded in raising over $ 200 million.  As a result of the quick response, an additional $ 50 million was donated by the Gates Foundation.

The resulting US $ 610 million will directly support immunisation campaigns in developing countries, where polio continues to infect and paralyse children, robbing them of their futures and compounding the hardships faced by their families.

Polio Eradication remains Rotary’s Global priority and you can support by purchasing a plastic Crocus which your local Rotary Club will be selling.  On the weekend of 23^rd & 24^th February 2013, Rotarians will be selling them in the Hucknall branch of Tesco’s.