March is almost here, and with it comes the return of an event that brings together local schools for the Rotakids Crocus Walk. But it’s not just a walk; it’s a statement and a chance for youngsters to take action in the fight against polio.

There are 11 fantastic Rotakids schools (all primary), all working in partnership with Borderland Rotary Club and chartered by Rotary International. The primary school children have taken on the challenge to raise funds for the global polio vaccination programme, and they’ll be doing it in a way that’s as joyful as it is meaningful: walking through our wonderful Cae Glas Park, surrounded by purple crocuses, while singing “We Are Shropshire”.

Why a Crocus Walk? Well, those vibrant purple flowers are more than just a beautiful sign of spring, they symbolise the battle against polio. When a child is vaccinated, their little finger is dipped in purple dye to ensure they don’t receive a double dose. Borderland Rotary planted 25,000 crocus bulbs across Oswestry to serve as a living reminder of the impact we can have when we work together. While some have disappeared due to building work, the ones that remain still stand as a powerful reminder of hope and progress.

And that progress has been nothing short of extraordinary. Since 1988, Rotary has been a key partner in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, and we’ve seen a 99% drop in polio cases worldwide. An estimated 20 million children have been spared from this life-altering disease. What started as an endemic issue in countless countries has now been contained to just two – Afghanistan and Pakistan. But we’re not done yet. Recent outbreaks in other parts of the world are a stark reminder that our work isn’t finished. We must continue until polio is eradicated everywhere, for good.

Polio is a vicious virus. It attacks the central nervous system and can leave its victims with lifelong paralysis. Those of us who remember the dark days of polio might recall family members or friends who suffered. Thanks to vaccinations, we haven’t seen a case in the UK in years, but that doesn’t mean we can afford to be complacent.

That’s where our young Rotakids come in. These children are proving that you’re never too young to make a difference. They’re out there securing sponsorships from family, friends, and school staff, knowing that every pound raised is another step towards a polio-free world. And here’s the best part: for every £1 they collect; the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will match it with an additional £2. That means a single pound raised will provide vaccinations for six children. Six lives changed – just like that.

So, this March, as the children walk and sing their hearts out in Cae Glas Park, they won’t just be making noise, they’ll be making history. Every step they take, every note they sing, is a message to the world: we are not stopping until polio is gone for good.

If you would like to make a donation to the cause, please use the QR code: