Never mind the World Cup, here’s a football everyone can play with.
Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland (RIBI) is supporting Rotary International’s Kick Polio Out of Africa campaign by asking the public to sign a virtual football.
At the same time, a real football is making its way around the world in the lead up to the World Cup. You can follow the journey here.
Why polio? In 1985 Rotary International pledged to eradicate this crippling and sometimes fatal disease. Since then, Rotarians across the world have raised funds, raised awareness and personally administered the vaccine in endemic countries. 25 years on and millions of young lives have been saved thanks to the efforts of Rotary International, the World Health Organisation, Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Unicef and many other determined and devoted organisations.
Every year, Rotarians across Great Britain and Ireland help other countries in need of the polio vaccine by flying to India and administering the medicine to every child under five years old. Each time the youngster is treated, their little finger is dyed purple to help keep track of who has been immunised.
In February, Rotary clubs across the country ran an energetic campaign called Thanks for life and raised over a million pounds as part of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation challenge. $355 million dollars is being pledged by the Foundation provided that Rotary can generate $200m.
Polio may be considered a thing of the past for Great Britain and Ireland but for thousands of families overseas, it is an ever present danger which ruins lives.
If you would like to make a donation to Kick Polio Out of Africa or sign the football, click here.
