Press Release from RIBI

January 2003

TAKE A WINTER WALK TO HELP THOSE WHO CAN'T
Rotary to Mobilise a Million Walkers in Service Week in February

Members of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland will be urging their communities to take a winter walk in week commencing 23rd February, 2003. Each walker will be asked to pay £1 subscription for the global polio eradication programme. The walk is not intended to be a marathon but a short walk of up to three miles; this could be around a public park, a school playing field, a football ground or even indoors on a treadmill! Local Rotarians hope to enlist the support of schools, sports clubs, church groups, youth groups, local organizations, families and friends.

President of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland Tony de St Dalmas said

' The polio eradication programme which was started by Rotary in 1985 is at a crucial stage. The aim to eradicate polio by 2005 could be threatened by a funding gap of some $275 million. Rotary has pledged to raise $80million worldwide and £3 million in Great Britain & Ireland by June 2003. I am appealing to our communities to help Rotary meet this challenge. The funds raised will be matched or surpassed by funding from the World Bank, the Gates Foundation, and the United Nations Foundation.'

All walkers will receive an 'I helped eradicate polio' sticker. This is part of a nationwide campaign to raise £1 million pounds in Rotary Service Week for the polio eradication programme.

In 1985, Rotary International launched PolioPlus, a 20-year commitment to eradicate polio. Rotary was recognized by the World Health Organisation as a non-governmental organization working in the field of international health. The number of polio cases has declined by 99 per cent in the 17 years since Rotary made polio eradication the highest priority. Europe has recently been certified a polio-free area joining the Americas and the western Pacific. Polio has almost been completely eradicated from the Horn of Africa. Last year just 483 cases of polio were reported in 10 countries, half of these cases being reported in India, which poses the biggest challenge to the polio eradication programme. In northern India polio cases increased last year.

Because of the changed priorities following the terrible events of September 11th, it is now clear that without a special effort, governments, agencies, non-governmental organizations and the private sector will not be able to fill the funding gap. To date Rotary has contributed $462 million for the protection of nearly 2 billion children. By 2005, Rotary's financial commitment will be more than $500 million. Rotary looks to celebrate the global eradication of polio in 2005, the organisation's centennial year.

In addition to fund raising Rotary volunteers assist in mass immunisation campaigns including vaccine delivery, social mobilization, and logistical help in co-operation with the national health ministries, WHO, UNICEF, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Groups and individuals wishing to take part in the Mobilise a Million walks are invited to contact their local Rotary Club or Robin Freeman, Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland Telephone 01789 765411.
Press enquiries to Judith Diment 01628 672965 or 07860 162313 email judithdiment@aol.com

Notes for Editors
1. Polio is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus that mainly affects children under the age of five. There is no cure for polio; it can only be prevented by vaccine given several times. The crippling virus has disabled nearly 20 million people living today.

2.Rotary is an organisation of business and professional men and women united world-wide, who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and help to build goodwill and peace in the world. Their motto is: Service above Self.

3. For general information on Rotary in your area, contact the local Rotary Club President. Details from Robin Freeman: 01789 765411
For information on polio see www.polioeradication.org;www.who.net; www.unicef.org
For photos see www.endofpolio.org