Polio was completely eradicated from the UK and Europe nine years ago, thanks to Rotary. However the disease still exists in 10% of the world - Nigeria, Afghanistan, India and Pakistan. With everyone's support, we can completely wipe out this crippling disease across the globe.

Rotary Making a difference

Last year local schools and the community helped us with Caterham Harestone Rotary Club to raise over £6,000 towards the ultimate goal of the complete eradication of polio in the next five years. 30,000 children will now be free of polio as a result of the generosity of the people of Caterham and Warlingham. With the additional support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation £1 raised locally means five children under the age of five will be free of polio for ever.

Focus on the Crocus

This year the campaign - Focus on the Crocus - which is part of the largest worldwide public health campaign in history, continues at pace! In October 2010, Rotarians and young people from 20 local schools planted 20,000 purple flowering crocus bulbs supplied to Rotary by Knights Garden Centre Woldingham. Very soon the crocuses will start to pop their heads through the soil in Queens Park, local schools, The Village, The Dene Hospital, Church Hill and Town End.

The Queen's Park Crocus Maze

In Queens Park, 7000 bulbs were planted in the form of a maze which will be flowering for many years to come. The design of the maze which has over 100 sections was carried out in conjunction with pupils from de Stafford School who had an active role last year in raising funds towards seeing the end to polio. The sections of the Queens Park Crocus Maze are now being offered for founder sponsorship at £15 or more and available for the first 100 persons to apply. Our target is £1,500 and again with support from the Gates Foundation this total will mean we can save 7,500 young children overseas from the crippling effects of polio. The names of all the founder sponsors will be included on a special plaque to be erected in Queens Park.

Sponsoring a slice of the Maze

To become a founder sponsor of The Queens Park Crocus Maze or to make a Contribution to help eradicate polio you can make a direct donation through our Virgin Money Giving link on our Home page or click on http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/CaterhamRotaryClub

You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter and to gain more information on how you can become involved in similar Rotary projects please email us at: caterhamrotary2@gmail.com

How to become a founder Corporate Sponsor of the Queens Park Maze

Companies, Businesses, shops and organisations who would like to sponsor the Queens Park Maze (Minimum sponsorship £50) and have their company name included on the special plaque to be erected in April should also contact us on caterhamrotary2@gmail.com

To see photos of the Queens Park Maze planting click here