Gavin Williamson, MP for South Staffordshire, joined St Chad’s Pattingham pupils to plant crocus’ to promote the Purple4Polio campaign at an event organised by the Albrighton and District Rotary Club.
Pupils and teachers from St Chad’s joined Rotarians at Pattingham Village Hall to plant 4000 crocus corms. Purple crocuses are used to represent the colour of the dye used to mark the little finger of each child who has been immunised against the disease.
Gavin also presented a cheque of £500 from the Brewood and District Rotary club, as an honorary member, that will go towards the campaign.
For over 30 years, Rotary and its members have been committed to fighting to eradicate polio across the world. The amount of polio-endemic countries has dropped from 125 to just three, with over 2.5 billion children receiving vaccinations thanks to the help of Rotary.
To promote the polio eradication campaign, The Rotary is planting five million crocus across the country, which will also brighten up public spaces.
Richard Buttress from the Albrighton and District Rotary Club commented: "We are delighted that Gavin Williamson was able to attend our Purple4Polio planting, where he planted the first crocus. The world is now close to the total eradication of polio but the job must be finished. Rotary will continue to fund-raise for this cause and to raise the public's awareness of the need for continuing action"
After the event, Gavin commented: “The Purple4Polio campaign is just another example of the absolutely fantastic work that Rotary has been doing across the world. This is such a wonderful way to raise awareness of the work that is being done to eradicate polio.
“I would like to thank Richard and the members of the Albrighton and District Rotary Club for getting pupils from St Chad’s in Pattingham involved in this campaign and raising awareness of the work that is being done to eradicate the disease globally.
“I also would like to extend my gratitude to members of the Brewood and District Rotary Club for their generous donation of £500 to the campaign and all pupils from St Chad’s who have planted an incredible 4000 crocus corms in the village.
“I think it is so important that we make more young people aware of what work has been done to help those suffering with polio and that we continue with this work. This is incredible progress and I am confident that with campaigns such as these, we will finish off that job.”