Walking a Mile for Polio
The Rotary Club of Belfast marked the historic progress towards a polio-free world by organising a sponsored walk in support of World Polio Day and the global effort to eradicate this paralysing disease once and for all.
Held on Friday 23 October, the eve of World Polio Day at the Mary Peters Track, Malone, the event invited participants to walk four laps - 1 mile - in support of Rotary’s End Polio Now campaign. Despite a poor weather forecast, the rain cleared, allowing for a dry and enjoyable walk, with most attendees completing the full mile.
The event brought together an inspiring cross‑section of the community: schoolchildren, wheelchair users, participants with rollators, and even two nonagenarians. The Club was especially delighted to welcome Honorary Member Lady Mary Peters, who joined the walk and encouraged participants. Rotary Clubs from Lagan Valley, Newtownabbey, and East Belfast also supported the event, demonstrating the strong collaborative spirit across the region.
Concluding the event, President Heather presented Lady Mary Peters with 1,000 purple crocus bulbs to be planted at the track. The purple crocus is a recognised symbol of Rotary’s global polio‑eradication campaign, representing the purple dye used to mark a child’s finger after receiving the polio vaccine.
The Rotary Club of Belfast extends its thanks to all who participated and supported the event, contributing over £1000
to the ongoing effort to eliminate polio worldwide.