East Cambs Rotary Clubs plant more than 50,000 crocus bulbs in the region to mark Rotary’s mission to beat Polio

Purple was chosen as the base for the campaign as it represents the ink pad colour into which each beneficiary of the drug dips their thumb to confirm they have been immunised. PHOTO: Tony Winchester (Image: P LAVER)

The local groups took delivery of over 50,000 crocus bulbs and, with the help of a band of green-fingered volunteers, planted them in Littleport, Ely, Little Downham and Soham.

This was the core of a nationwide initiative to draw attention to the worldwide success of Rotary clubs in almost extinguishing Polio by means of an intensive immunisation campaign.

The crocuses were planted as part of Rotary's campaign to rid the world of Polio. PHOTO: Tony Winchester (Image: Archant)

With financial support from Microsoft’s Bill Gates, teams of medical professionals often supported by Rotary representatives, have been working, often in the most remote parts of the world, to deliver the preventative medicine to ridding the world of this disease.

The colour purple was chosen as the base for the campaign as it represents the ink pad colour into which each beneficiary of the drug dips their thumb to confirm they have been immunised.

Crocuses have also been planted in Ship Lane, Ely. PHOTO: Frank Connolly (Image: Archant)

The Ely Hereward Rotary Club planted 5,000 bulbs in Ely and Sutton. PHOTO: Frank Connolly (Image: Archant)