The purple crocuses in Kensington Gardens will shortly be making their appearance. With help from local schools, these have been planted over the last few years by members of the three Lowestoft Rotary Clubs in support of the ‘End Polio Now’ campaign.

In 1950 there was a polio epidemic in the UK until a successful vaccination programme was rolled out a few years later. Worldwide, it is still the main cause of childhood paralysis with tragic consequences for the children and their families.

Rotarians in Lowestoft continue to support the ‘End Polio Now’ campaign and fellow Rotarians from around the world have raised over £1.5 million pounds in support. Last year Africa was declared free of the virus and only two countries reported cases within the last three years.

The patches of purple crocuses planted by the Rotarians raise funds for this important project but why purple? When each child is vaccinated, they have a finger dipped in a purple dye with the hope that one day, the world will be polio free.

Visit the website to find out more: www.rotaryeastanglia.co.uk