Press Release from RIBI

July 2002

POLIO ERADICATION, DRINKING WATER IN TANZANIA AND STROKE PREVENTION - PRIORITIES FOR NEW PRESIDENT

London Lawyer elected President of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland

The new President of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland is Tony de St Dalmas from London. On July 1st he became the leader of some 61,000 Rotarians who belong to 1,835 clubs in Great Britain and Ireland.

Tony takes over the Presidency at a time when Rotary is stronger than it has been for a decade with membership increasing and more than 18 new clubs formed in the last twelve months. This is against a trend generally of a decline in membership in service organizations. A priority for the next twelve months will be to build on this membership success and recruit more members and start new clubs to meet the ever increasing demands from communities locally, nationally and internationally.

In 2002/2003 Rotary clubs will be asked to focus on three new areas of support: polio eradication, water wells for Tanzania and stroke prevention.

Rotary International is launching a new campaign today to raise additional funds required to eradicate polio by 2005. The campaign, 'Fulfilling our promise: eradicate polio' will last for one year from July 1st 2002 with the goal of raising £3 million in Great Britain and Ireland.

This is part of a global campaign to raise $80 million to meet a $400 million funding gap that threatens the polio eradication programme started in 1985. The funds raised will be matched or surpassed by funding from the World Bank, the Gates Foundation, and the United Nations Foundation. This reflects the internationalism of Rotary International - a service organisation which exists in more than 163 countries represented by 30,000 Clubs and 1.2 million members.

WaterAid is the second project chosen for support and the aim in the next twelve months is to raise funding to create wells to supply clean water to 22 villages in Tanzania. The programme is based on getting the local people to take responsibility for the project and then supplying the technical expertise required.

Closer to home is a new partnership with The Stroke Association. Rotary Clubs will work with the Stroke Association to raise awareness about stroke and its prevention. On April 5th 2003 every club will be asked to arrange for free blood pressure checks to be made available to members of their communities.

Speaking about his appointment, Tony said: "We live in very troubled times and the demands on Rotarians are increasing both locally, nationally and internationally. We have an obligation to help the children of the world to be free of polio and I urge communities everywhere to support our campaign to raise £3 million in the next twelve months. I feel privileged to have been involved in Rotary for more than 30 years and have enjoyed the close friendship of fellow Rotarians as well as the genuine satisfaction of seeing Rotary help so many worthy causes."

Photograph of Tony de St Dalmas is available on request.

Contact: Judith Diment Telephone 01628 672965 or 07860 162313 judithdiment@aol.com

Notes to Editors:

1. Rotary is an organisation of business and professional persons united worldwide, who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and help to build goodwill and peace in the world. Members carry out this work in their own community and/or overseas by giving their time and their expertise. A Rotary Club is open to men and women who are business, professional or community leaders who want to use their experience for the benefit of others.

2. For general information on Rotary in your area, contact the local Rotary Club President, details from Robin Freeman, Secretary Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland: 01789