To celebrate’s Rotary’s birthday on 23rd February and to support The Rotary Foundation’s “End Polio Now” campaign, Rotary clubs have planted purple crocuses across Ireland and Britain which should bloom in the final week of February.
The Rotary Club of Dublin Central has planted the purple crocusses in a variety of parks and gardens across Dublin, including St Anne’s Park in Raheny and the Children’s Sunshine Home in Leopardstown.
Focus on the Crocus is a healthy, fun, community based, environmental friendly way to plant in everyone’s mind, the opportunity of being part of a historic worldwide campaign, spearheaded by Rotary International, to finally eradicate Polio across the world … and an excuse to have a party afterwards, get a certificate of participation and generally enjoy the life we are giving others.
The Ruby Giant ‘purple’ crocus represents the dye colour dabbed on children’s little ‘pinkie’ finger to indicate they have been immunised against polio in the few remaining parts of the globe since Rotary International commenced its campaign in 1985.
Working in partnership with The Eden Project, the International Flower Bulb Centre (IBC),The National Trust, Learning Through Landscape and others, Rotary in Britain and Ireland has engaged thousands of volunteers to join in the Big Bulb Plant by planting millions of purple crocus bulbs in the autumn.
So whether you are a pupil, young adult, a mum or dad, own or work for a business or public authority, belong to an environmental or other club with civic pride or just a Rotarian, why not join in the fun and help Rotary End Polio Now by supporting our Focus on the Crocus initiative?
With the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation challenging Rotary to finally eradicate polio by adding nearly twice what Rotary raises it costs just 20p to sponsor or buy a bulb to bring a young life into bloom.
Check out the planting activity near you! Visit www.focusonthecrocus.org