Polio was completely eradicated from the UK and Europe nine years ago, thanks to Rotary. However the disease still exists in 10% of the world - Nigeria, Afghanistan, India and Pakistan. With your support, we can completely wipe out this crippling disease across the globe.

Making a difference

Last year local schools and the community helped the two local Rotary Clubs to raise over £6,000 towards the ultimate goal of the complete eradication of polio in the next five years. 30,000 children will now be free of polio as a result of the generosity of the people of Caterham and Warlingham. With the additional support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation £1 raised locally means five children under the age of five will be free of polio for ever.

Focus on the Crocus

This year the campaign - Focus on the Crocus - which is part of the largest worldwide public health campaign in history, continues at pace! In October, Rotarians and young people from 20 schools planted 20,000 purple flowering crocus bulbs supplied to Rotary by Knights Garden Centre. Very soon the crocuses will start to pop their heads through the soil in Queens Park, local schools, The Village, The Dene Hospital, Church Hill and Town End.

The Queen's Park Crocus Maze

In Queen's Park 7,000 bulbs were planted in the form of a maze which will be flowering for many years to come. The design of the maze which has over 100 sections was carried out in conjunction with pupils from de Stafford School who had an active role last year in raising funds towards seeing the end to polio. The sections of the Queen's Park Crocus Maze are now being offered for founder sponsorship at £15 or more and available for the first 100 persons to apply. Our target is £1,500 and again with support from the Gates Foundation this total will mean we can save 75,000 young children overseas from the crippling effects of polio. The names of all the founder sponsors will be included on a special plaque to be erected in Queens Park.