Thousands of swimmers around the world plan to swim 100 meters or more on Rotary Day, 23rd February, in a global swimarathon being organised by the Rotary Club of Grantham. The event marks the 108th anniversary of Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland (RIBI) and Rotarians will also be marking the anniversary by selling 150,000 purple crocuses as part of the global fundraising effort to End Polio Now.
Last year Grantham Rotarians spearheaded a worldwide swim in the week of Rotary Day and set a new Guinness World Record with 4,546 participants. Those taking part synchronised 100 metre swims to the exact same hour across 15 time zones raising over US$100,000 for polio eradication.
This year organisers hope to create the biggest ever same day global swimming event with clubs holding swimming fundraisers throughout the day. Already over 180 clubs in 43 countries across six continents have signed up, with all proceeds going go polio eradication and other local charities.
At the same time, Rotarians from RIBI and around the world are hoping to raise US$250,000 by selling purple fabric crocuses which can be worn in buttonholes. The crocuses have an End Polio Now label and are purple to represent the dye used to mark the fingers of children who have been vaccinated, so that they can be identified by health workers in those affected countries.
Event coordinator, Paul Wilson, said: "We are hoping that as many people as possible will get involved this year. My most gratifying moment last year was watching 14 year old Moin Junnedi, India’s youngest national Paralympian, complete his swim. Junnedi suffers from a severe brittle bone condition and has suffered over 200 fractures during his young life. Just a day or two before the swimarathon, he suffered four fractures but was still determined to take part. It was pure inspiration.”
