This week Joyce and Phil Ogden spoke to us about their epic journey to raise money for End Polio.
Joyce and Phil are riding a tandem bike unsupported from Adelaide to Sydney via Melbourne. On their journey they will visit more than thirty Rotary Clubs to raise money for End Polio.
Joyce and Phil spoke about the terror of polio and how feared it was in the 1950’s. They spoke of the inspirational story of Paul Alexander who spent 72 years in an iron lung as a result of polio. During that time Paul obtained a law degree and practiced as a solicitor.
Since Rotary launched its End Polio project in 1985 the number of annual cases world wide has fallen from 350,000 to a small handful. It remains endemic in Pakistan and Afghanistan. If we could eradicate polio the long term cost savings would be enormous. However, every year that we fail to do so raises the risk that wars, pandemics and disinformation may loosen our grip on control of the virus.
The Ogdens are asking Rotarians to ‘Hit Polio for Six’ by donating six dollars each to End Polio. See the QR code below if you wish to donate.
