A BLAZING trail of purple has bloomed across Warwick as part of a campaign to fight polio.
Purple crocuses have flowered in the town to raise awareness of Warwick Rotary Club’s Purple for Polio campaign to combat the crippling disease worldwide. The colour refers to the purple mark put on a child’s finger after vaccinations, whose financing is supported by the charity.
Last year, Rotarian Margaret Morley called on local organisations to plant purple crocus provided by the club. Displays can now be enjoyed at Warwick Racecourse, Hill Close Gardens and Guys Cliffe Walled garden.
Rotary’s worldwide campaign has helped to almost eradicate the devastating disease which paralyses children. In the 1950s, 8,000 people a year in the UK were paralysed by polio. The discovery of a vaccine successfully wiped it from the nation, although it remained rife in countries across the world.
Rotary clubs continue to raise money to immunise children across the world, work supported by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Visit www.endpolio.org for more details.
