LAST Thursday (October 24) was World Polio Day. Rotary clubs all over the world came together to tell people about the fight to eradicate this terrible disease which is now endemic in only three countries.

Darlington Rotary manned an information stand in the covered market and at the weekend a team planted 3,000 purple crocus bulbs in the town to raise awareness that until we end polio forever, every child is at risk.

Rotary and its partners have reduced cases by 99.9 per cent since 1988. We’re nearly there, but we have to keep working until every child is immunised – polio mainly affects those who are under five.

Some of your readers may remember the terrible effects of polio. Let’s continue to work together to eliminate the horror of this incurable illness.

Thank you to the people of Darlington who stopped and took time to learn about this vital campaign. And to the dedicated Rotarians who took part.

Let’s make polio and thing of the past.

Sue Campbell, president, Darlington Rotary.