With efforts to eradicate polio being marked last month, with World Polio Day on the 24th October, Rotaractors from across our network came together in different ways to celebrate the extraordinary progress towards ending polio, while recognising the work still to do.
World Polio Day was marked in some memorable ways by Directors from the Rotaract Great Britain and Ireland Board this year with climbs above London, a Europe-wide Strava challenge and travelling across Sydney’s rail network.
Michael Mordecai, Experience Director
Michael took part in the Team End Polio Challenge on Strava. Running from 24th September to the 24th October, the challenge invited participants to complete at least five hours of exercise, whether walking, running or cycling. Every activity counted towards a collective target of 60 million minutes. Together, more than 97,000 participants recorded 2.69 million hours of exercise worldwide, with Michael contributing just under 32 hours.
“Progress happens when we move together”
“Every year, health workers travel extraordinary distances to vaccinate 400 million children against polio. Taking part in the Strava challenge was my way of recognising their dedication and showing support for the work they do to help end polio.”
Chloe Rollings, Chair of the Board of Directors
Chloe joined 22 other Rotarians and Rotaractors from 5 districts as well as friends and family for the Alexandra Palace Summit, the UK’s highest rooftop walk which saw climbers will ascend 130 metres above sea level.
This was Chloe’s second high-altitude challenge for The Rotary Foundation in just a few months, following her Chloe’s Wing-Walk for Rotary’s Foundation in August.
Shauna Loganathan, Action Director
On the other side of the world, Shauna joined Train Ride for Polio in Sydney for part of its marathon journey across the city’s rail network. The annual challenge sets out to cover 189 stations, with participants travelling from around 4AM until 11PM, all to raise funds and awareness for polio eradication.
Since Train Ride for Polio began, the initiative has raised more than A$900,000 (£464,000), putting it within reach of an extraordinary A$1 million (£505,000) fundraising milestone in 2027.
Poliovirus, formally Poliomyelitis, is a highly infectious disease that most commonly affects children under the age of 5. The virus is spread person to person, typically through contaminated water. It can attack the nervous system, and in some instances, lead to paralysis. At its peak in the 1940s and 1950s, polio would paralyze or kill over half a million people worldwide every year. Although there is no cure, there is a safe and effective vaccine. The average cost for a single dose of the oral polio vaccine is US$0.15.
The eradication of polio is one of Rotary’s longest standing and most significant efforts. Along with partners, Rotary have helped immunize more than 3 billion children against polio in 122 countries. Polio cases have reduced by 99.9% worldwide but the final stages of eradication require continued commitment - and we won't stop until we end the disease for good!
These stories are just three examples of how individual action can contribute to something bigger through Rotaract. Whilst we are in the final stages of polio eradication, sustained commitment, maintaining awareness and encouraging others to get involved has never been more important.
As we enter Rotary Foundation Month this November, their efforts are a reminder that there is no single way to get involved. You could organise a fundraiser with your club, take on a personal challenge, support someone else’s efforts or simply help more people understand why ending polio still matters.
