A sponsored walk will be held in Workington next month as part of Rotary’s global efforts to end polio.
The club has organised the event, called the End Polio Now Walk, on October 21, from Seaton Scouts hall to Navvies Bridge and back.
Rotary Club president Keith Beattie said: “We are really excited to be able to organise the walk. Continuing global efforts to eradicate polio is critical and bringing people together in this way to have fun whilst raising money is an even better way to support such a worthy cause.”
The walk, of around 3.6 miles on cyclepaths, will begin at 11am.
Since 1985, Rotary has contributed $2.1 billion and is committed to raising $50 million a year in support of global eradication efforts.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will match Rotary’s commitment 2:1 so every £1 raised becomes £3.
Polio is a deadly disease mainly affecting children under the age of five, and can cause paralysis and even death.
Since Rotary and its partners launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative over 35 years ago, the incidence of polio has plummeted by more that 99 per cent from about 350,00 cases a year in 122 countries to seven in 2023 and with just two remaining polio-endemic countries – Afghanistan and Pakistan.
For details and a sponsorship form email pat.vytialingam@gmail.com or call Patricia Hoggarth on 07582162142.
