THE ROTARY CLUB OF CHURCH AND O/TWISTLE

LAST week Church and Oswaldtwistle Rotary were out in force, planting purple crocus bulbs around the green areas of Oswaldtwistle.

This week it was the turn of the two Rotakids schools, White Ash Specialist School and St Andrew’s Primary School, both located in Oswaldtwistle.

Cath Heap, the Rotakids co-ordinator for Church and Oswaldtwistle Rotary, arranged for a group of 10 children, along with member of staff, Alison Martin, to walk across to White Ash School for a joint morning of bulb planting, followed by a fun play session in the beautiful grounds of the school.

The pupils were reminded, before they began the planting, of the significance of the colour purple to the Rotary.

It is to remind everyone of the continuing fight to eradicate polio across the world, which Rotary has undertaken for many years alongside the Bill Gates Foundation.

Thanks to their efforts in raising funds for vaccinations, the disease has almost been eradicated.

When children have been vaccinated their finger is dipped in purple dye.

The children split up into groups and spent about an hour planting 1,000 bulbs.

They all worked very hard to get the job done, and hopefully next spring will be rewarded with a beautiful display.

The children said: “We enjoyed visiting White Ash School to plant bulbs with the pupils there.”

Rotakids coordinator Cath Heap said: “This type of activity is very much in keeping with the Rotakids ethos. There was the community aspect of two schools working together.

“It was educational in that they learned about the international effect of the polio campaign.

“And, just as important, it was a fun-filled day in which the children made new friends.”

St Andrew’s were also presented with 1,000 bulbs, some of which were planted in the school grounds.

However, over 300 of them were planted up in individual pots labelled with facts about the fight to beat polio in the world.

Each child was presented with a pot to take home with them.

Hopefully, they will all grow and the pupils will be reminded in spring next year about the Rotary Purple for Polio campaign.

» Any schools interested in starting a Rotakids club in their school can contact Cath at cathheap57@gmail.com for details.