It’s not quite spring yet, but the first signs of our Purple4Polio crocuses are beginning to bloom across Gravesend and Meopham. Rotarians and volunteers over the years have planted these Crocuses across the area, and here are a few photos of the flowers coming into bloom, courtesy of members of our club.
For those who haven’t heard the story behind this, these flowers carry a very special meaning.

The Purple4Polio campaign is a initiative by Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland to help wipe polio off the face of the earth for good.

Why Purple?

The colour represents the purple dye used to mark a child’s pinkie finger during mass immunization days. This “Purple Pinkie” is a simple but vital way to show that a child has received their life-saving vaccine, ensuring no one is missed in the effort to protect over 400 million children every year.

Our Global Impact:

Since Rotary began this fight in 1985, polio cases have dropped by 99.9%

• Every £1 we raise is tripled thanks to a matching agreement with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
• We are now closer than ever, with the virus remaining endemic in only two countries: Pakistan and Afghanistan.

These crocuses serve as a vibrant reminder of that promise. Keep an eye out for them the coming weeks as they continue to bloom!