Edward the teddy bear helping Rotary’s bid to end polio

Soham Rotary Club is raising funds for the End Polio Now campaign with a little help from a teddy bear called Edward.

Sporting his bright red End Polio Now hoody, Edward has been travelling with members of the Soham Rotary Club and sponsors Pet Doctors since July last year in a bid to clock up as many miles as possible before June.

The club is inviting people to guess the number of miles Edward will have travelled in exchange for a donation of £1 and the person that makes the most accurate guess will win £100 kindly donated by Pet Doctors vets in Ely, Soham and Burwell.

Amongst other places, Edwards has already visited are Japan, India, Disneyworld and even Ely ambulance station.

Rotary and its partners have been fighting polio for nearly 30 years, taking the number of countries where it is endemic down from 125 to just three.

It is hoped that the disease will be eradicated in the next few years.

All donations made will be trebled by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Donations can be made and sponsor sheets are available at all three of the local Pet Doctors Vets in St Mary’s Street, Ely, Fordham Road, Soham, and The Causeway, Burwell.

You can also contact Chris Whipp, of Soham Rotary Club, by e-mail at christopherwhipp@aol.com