Each year 24 October 2025 is World Polio Day. On this day the world recognises the work of many agencies in fighting Polio with the aim of eradicating this disease from our planet.
The campaign to eradicate Polio started with ROTARY in 1985, at at time where many hundreds of children were dying as a result of contracting polio, and those that survived suffered crippling injuries impact their lives. Many people can still remember the horrific pictures of hospital rooms filled with children in iron lung machines just to keep them alive.
Some 40 years later Rotary's campaign in partnership with many other health organisations around the world has seen Polio reduced to a handful of cases in only two countries in the world. Conflict, politics, and difficult terrain, has made it difficult to access the areas where Polio still affects children. But our efforts continue and each year we are getting closer to achieving the goal of Polio eradication.
Funds are needed to continue the last critical stage and The Rotary Foundation with support from many donors continues to provide these funds.
Here in Queensland, Rotary Clubs each year run events to raise funds for the fight against Polio, and this year Greater Springfield Rotary joined with Sunnybank Rotary to raise funds through a Special Rotary End Polio Now Raffle. Tickets were sold by our members and through our supporting partners and venues.
THE WEAR RED EVENT
We also ran a wear red event at Ballistic Beer in Springfield on Friday 24 October 2025, awareness of this important community project. A great sized crowd attended and had an enjoyable night with good food, good beer and good company while we support the End Polio Campaign. Our Raffle was drawn on at that event.
Prize Winners:
1st Prize - Ticket Number 10 (purchased by Evangeline, sold by Hari T)
2nd Prize - Ticket number 1058 (purchased by Allie-Rae, sold by Sharon C)
3rd Prize - Ticket Number 1348 (purchased by Grace, sold by Paul R)
All prize winners have been received their prizes.
THANK YOU to all who participated and supported this great cause.
$8000 was raised to help end Polio.
Thank you on behalf of Greater Springfield Rotary and Sunnybank Rotary, but more importantly thank you on behalf of all our children who no longer have to worry about Polio.
Thank you also to our generous sponsors, 1st Care Community, Brisbane Embroidery, Mind & Body Travel, and Ballistic Beer.