India polio mission
Last updated 19:28, Thursday, 27 November 2008
FIVE Workington Rotarians have returned from India as part of a mission to eradicate polio.
with picBy John Connell
Alan Hoggarth and John Head, from Seaton, John Mather, from Stainburn, Rod Erlston, from Great Broughton, and Ken Kirkwood, from Winscales, were among 12 Rotarians from the north of England who made the journey.
The main purpose was to attend National Polio Immunisation Day in Delhi.
The Polio Plus project is supported with $100 million by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in America, and this is being matched by Rotary International, with the aim of eliminating polio.
Mr Mather said: “We met some remarkable people, including a doctor who runs a school from 7am until midday, when he starts work at his practice, and a man who gave up a high flying financial career to run a limb centre.
“We were pleased to be able to assist some of these with supplies and cash donations raised in our own clubs.”
Mr Head said: “The Indian Rotarians are doing a lot in the community, building schools and clinics.”
Their travels took them to Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Lucknow, where thousands of people were immunised against the virus.
