SHOPPERS who bumped into either Donald Duck, or an enthusiastic clown, in Winchester High Street on Saturday afternoon had the chance to donate to the global Rotary International Initiative against polio.
Members of Winchester University’s newly-formed Rotaract club joined Rotarians to collect donations and hand out Crocus badges, the symbol of the campaign.
Organisers were impressed with the public’s willingness to give, despite the autumnal downpour.
Nick Bell, President of Winchester Rotary, said: “We would like to thank those members of the public who supported us – despite the rain! Thanks to their generosity we collected over £420, which when Gift Aid is added will increase to over £520.”
The Crocus symbol is a reminder of the purple stamp put on the little finger of those immunised.
Winchester Rotary’s president-elect Gill Russell, herself a polio survivor, arranged for the British Polio Fellowship (BPF) to mount a display on the Broadway, showcasing the work of the charity.
The Mayor and Mayoress of Winchester, Councillor Ernie Jeffs and his wife Barbara, also supported the event.
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