PEOPLE are being encouraged to walk a mile in a bid to raise vital funds to help eradicate polio.
Rotary International has been running its End Polio Now campaign across the globe for the past three decades.
World Polio Day falls on October 24 and on or close to that day, Rotarians all over the UK are planning to 'Walk a Mile' to raise as much as possible for the cause.
They are inviting as many sponsors as possible to donate just £1 for a mile.
They also hope the walk will raise awareness of the need to finish the task of ending polio - a devastating disease that mainly affects young children, leaving its victims in some cases unable to walk or otherwise severely disabled.
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The walk in Winchester will take place on Sunday, October 29 and will start at 10am and finish in the Cathedral Close. It will follow a city centre route passing sites where Winchester Rotary has planted purple crocuses - the emblem of the project - in previous years.
Two members of Winchester Rotary, past president Gillian Russell and Dr Kordo Saeed, Honorary Professor Microbiology at Southampton University, are polio survivors and will start the event.
Gillian said: "Rotarians are asking friends and families to support them through sponsorship. All funds raised will help immunise millions more children around the world from the disease and prevent any re-infection. All donations continue to be match-funded.
"The Rotarians taking part will welcome company and donations! Please consider donating at least £1."
Gillian said that the Rotary Club is proud of the enormous success it has had over the years in substantially reducing the number of cases.
Many Rotarians have personally been involved with the immunisation programmes in countries such as India, where the disease has been eradicated.
With support from the Gates Foundation, which has matched RI fundraising 2-1, polio is now only reported in small numbers in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Rotary is determined to eradicate it altogether.
Gill said: "We believe it is now time to cross the finish line and to achieve this outcome."
To donate or for more information go to rotaryfoundationgbi.beaconforms.com/form/baa8da4e
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