Each year, Rotary International aims to raise US$50 million to help fund the eradication of poliomyelitis with just under a million dollars of this amount coming from Zone 8.
Reaching the US$50 million maximises the US$100 million match from the Gates Foundation and gives Rotary US$150 million to spend each year on polio related vaccination, surveillance and research programs. Our donations from Zone 8 this year are very close to surpassing the one-million-dollar mark for the first time. Can we do it before June 30?
The growth of the donation rates in Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific nations this year has been very pleasing and can be attributed to several factors:
- The introduction of Polio Plus Societies in our districts with members agreeing to contribute $100 each year until the world is declared polio free.
- A new Arch Klumph Society member in New Zealand donating to End Polio Now.
- District Governors and District Foundation Chairs agreeing to donate some of their District Designated Funds.
- A district governor’s partner making End Polio Now a “partner’s project” and encouraging clubs to donate.
- Clubs making Rotary’s number one humanitarian priority – the eradication of polio –a club priority and donating accordingly.
- Individuals keen to play their own part in achieving the historic milestone of a polio free world.
One recent outstanding example of fund raising for polio was the epic 3,000km tandem bike ride from Adelaide to Sydney by Phil and Joyce Ogden. They were farewelled by the Rotary Club of Adelaide on April 3 and completed their journey at a dinner hosted by the Rotary Club of Penrith Valley on May 29. Aged in their 70s, the seemingly ageless couple from the Rotary Club of South Launceston, visited around 30 Rotary clubs doing presentations and soliciting donations during the arduous 8-week ride. Joyce and Phil’s passion and commitment to the cause were profiled in several regional newspapers enroute. In 2022, Joyce and Phil undertook a similar 3000km ride from Perth to Adelaide to raise funds for End Polio. So far this year they have raised nearly $40,000. It's not too late to support them by donating on the Raise for Rotary site: https://raise.rotary.org/joyce+phil/challenge
As the Rotary year draws to a close districts, clubs and individuals, in our part of the world, can ensure that we raise more than one million dollars for the first time and help Rotary reach its $50 million target for 2023-24. If you haven’t contributed yet, now is the time to do it. And remember every dollar donated is matched 2:1 by the Gates Foundation.
Together we can reach the million-dollar goal and help to End Polio. You can donate here: End Polio Donations.
PDG Murray Verso, End Polio Now Coordinator