Barnard Castle Rotary Club
THE eradication of polio is one of Rotary’s longest standing and most significant efforts.
Along with our partners, we have helped immunise more than 2.5 billion children against polio in 122 countries.
We have reduced polio cases by 99.9 per cent worldwide and we won’t stop until we end the disease for good. One of our partners in the fight against polio is the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which generates up to $150 million annually for polio eradication.
Rotary is committed to raising $50 million a year over the next three years, and each dollar will be matched with an additional two dollars by the Gates Foundation.
That funding will support polio eradication efforts such as disease surveillance, technical assistance and operational support for immunisation activities.
Helping in reaching that goal is Sally McGrath, head of music at Teesdale School, who put on a musical performance which saw 15 young pianists entertaining the audience with a varied programme of music.
While some of the pupils had experience of similar events, many were performing in public for the first time. A very appreciative audience enjoyed this splendid event with £320 being raised in aid of the End Polio Now campaign.
Our thanks to Sally, the pianists and members of the school Rotary Interact Club who helped with the organisation of the event.
Colin Dunnighan, President Barnard Castle Rotary
