Before the Polio vaccine was widely available, trains used to be a big part of how the Polio virus spread from person to person and provided a perfect opportunity for it to spread far and wide. This was turned on its head in India in 2001, with children aboard Indian trains being immunised against Polio, with Pakistan now adopting the same strategy.
This powerful juxtaposition is simply too perfect an opportunity to let slip by, which is why over the past three years, there has been an All Stations challenge in Sydney and other cities around Australia and New Zealand, to raise money for the Rotary End Polio Now Campaign. These events have raised over $450,000 — and that’s before the Gates Foundation generously participates in its 2:1 match.
Ironically, due to another contagious and dangerous virus, we’re not able to do our normal train ride. Instead, this year we’ll be doing it virtually. Our Club will still be donating funds to the End Polio Now campaign, and we’re also asking all members to take a photo of themselves under their nearest train station sign, and send that to risppo.trf@rotary.org. All photos will be used in press-releases and promotional material for this initiative.
Also, if you’re in a position to do so, consider donating directly at raise.rotary.org/EndPolioVirtualTrainRide/challenge21.
