Purple crocus bloom in Warwick as part of Rotary's Polio awareness campiagn

Purple crocus have flowered across Warwick to raise awareness of Rotary’s “Purple for Polio” campaign to combat Polio.

Purple refers to the purple mark put on a child’s finger after vaccination.

Last year Rotarian Margaret Morley sought out local organisations to plant purple crocus provided by the club.

With Coronavirus shutting everything down, Rotarians were unsure what would flower – but they have now bloomed.

Prime position goes to Warwick Racecourse, with a display in full view by the main gates together with a sign explaining their significance.

Hill Close Gardens also have a display in the grass by the main building.

Guys Cliffe Walled garden has planted crocus in a bed and pot next to a visitor’s bench - their gardens are re-opening from March 10.

These displays add to the crocus planted in 2017 next to the bus station in Warwick, and by Northgate Street church in 2018.

Rotary’s worldwide campaign has made progress to eradicate the disease which paralyses children.

In the 1950’s 8,000 people a year in the UK were paralysed by polio, and the discovery of a successful vaccination has helped tackle the disease lives.

Rotary clubs around the world have worked tirelessly to raise funds to immunise more than 2.5 billion children in 122 countries, with local Rotarians going to India to help administer vaccines.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has challenged Rotary to “End Polio Now”, to raise money and it donates £2 for every £1 raised by Rotary.

Country after country has now become 'Polio Free' and it only remains endemic in Afghanistan and Pakistan, with just 33 cases worldwide in 2018.

However, this achievement is at risk. In 2020 the cases of wild polio rose to 140,so it is vital the momentum of vaccination is maintained until we can say the disease is eradicated for good.

For more information go to: www.endpolio.org