Newtownabbey Rotary Club and Council Mark World Polio Day with Crocus Planting at Hazelbank Park

This symbolic gesture is part of Rotary’s ongoing commitment to the global effort to eradicate polio and aims to raise awareness while also contributing to local biodiversity and the enhancement of public spaces.

The initiative was led by Leonard Sproule, Chairperson of the Newtownabbey Rotary Club’s Foundation Committee, who approached the Council to support the creation of a commemorative crocus bed.

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick commented,

“The Council is proud to support Newtownabbey Rotary Club’s initiative, which raises awareness about the importance of eradicating polio worldwide. At the same time, it promotes biodiversity and adds a striking purple colour to the natural beauty of Hazelbank Park.”

The blooming Crocus corms displays a striking shade of purple, which became a symbolic colour in the fight against polio. Inspired by the colour of the dye painted on the little finger of a child to signify they have received a potentially life-saving polio vaccine.

Since Rotary and its partners launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in 1985, cases of polio have dramatically declined. Rotary has been a key supporter of this effort from the beginning, and Newtownabbey Rotary Club has proudly contributed to the campaign since it first began.