Bangor Rotary Club are lighting up buildings purple across North Wales, to mark World Polio Day on Thursday, 24 October, and to publicise the ‘End Polio Now’ international disease eradication campaign.
Polio is a crippling and potentially fatal infectious disease. There is no cure, but there are safe and effective vaccines. Polio can be prevented through immunization and The World Health Organisation’s strategy is to eradicate polio by immunizing every child until transmission stops and the world is polio-free.
The colour represents the colour of the purple ink used on a child’s finger as a marker following polio immunisation.
Last year, the Rotary Club launched the campaign to light up buildings purple along the Menai Strait, from Bangor to Caernarfon to highlight efforts to eradicate Polio. This year buildings across Anglesey, Gwynedd, Conwy and Denbighshire are now being illuminated.
Thanks to CADW, with the support of electrical contractor Owen & Palmer, Castles in Caernarfon, Conwy and Beaumaris, Bangor’s Cathedral and Pontio, as well as hotels, shops, businesses, schools, churches and private homes are all taking part.
A multi-faith was service held in Bangor Cathedral, which raised £200 towards the project. On Friday, October 25, the Rev Wyn Roberts (aka Elvis Presley) is performing at the Victoria Hotel in Menai Bridge (at 7pm) Tickets are available at the door and cost £10 .
There will also be an information stall at Ysbyty Gwynedd, until Friday 25 October, where visitors can find out more about the ‘End Polio Now’ Campaign and make donations. Members of Rotary Clubs will be on hand to answer any questions.
Our Lady’s primary school in Bangor held a ‘wear something purple‘ day and raised £180 for the End Polio Now programme. The money raised means 900 children can be vaccinated against polio.
Photos: Bangor Cathedral, Conwy Castle & Chateau Rhianfa turn puprle for polio
