Doncaster Mansion House lit up purple for World Polio Day

World Polio Day, commemorated annually on 24 October, highlights the global campaign to eradicate poliomyelitis (polio), a highly infectious disease that can cause permanent paralysis and

death, particularly among children under five.

This year, Doncaster marked the day by lighting up the Mansion House in purple.

The colour symbolises polio vaccination, as children’s fingers are traditionally marked with purple dye after receiving their vaccine.

Rotary International has been at the forefront of the fight against polio since launching its PolioPlus programme in 1985.

Working alongside the World Health Organization (WHO) and other international partners, Rotary helped establish the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) in 1988. This partnership brings together organisations, governments, health workers and volunteers to deliver vaccinations and raise awareness.

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Rotary members worldwide have contributed billions of dollars and countless volunteer hours to the campaign. Rotary and its partners have helped protect nearly three billion children across more than 120 countries.

Global polio cases have fallen by 99.9%, transforming a disease that once paralysed thousands of children daily into one that remains endemic in only Afghanistan and Pakistan.

However, vaccination programmes, health worker training and continued public awareness are essential to prevent polio from returning to countries where it has been eliminated.

More than 400 million children still need to receive polio vaccinations multiple times each year across more than 50 countries.

Without sustained international efforts, the disease could once again spread widely, potentially causing as many as 200,000 cases annually within a decade.

To mark World Polio Day, Doncaster Rotary volunteers regularly plant purple crocuses in public parks and venues.

Rotary Club of Doncaster President Karen Goffin emphasised that continued campaigning, vaccination programmes and health worker training remain vital, despite the dramatic reduction in cases.

World Polio Day is a reminder that remarkable progress has been achieved through global cooperation and community action.

Yet, until every child is protected and the world is certified polio-free, Rotary and its partners remain committed to finishing the job and ensuring that future generations are free from this devastating disease.