Despite there only being a handful of cases left in the world continued campaigning, health worker training and vaccination programmes are essential to stop the disease returning and ensuring the world is certified polio-free. Failure to eradicate polio could result in as many as 200,000 new cases worldwide every year within a decade.

Locally we have planted many thousands of crocus corms for the Purple for Polio publicity campaign. The purple represents the dye put on the finger of a vaccinated child. We also make an annual donation to the End Polio Now campaign.

Now you can be part of making history and your donation will be tripled thanks to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.