Donovan continues support for Purple4Polio

Speaking to the Daily Express, the 70-year-old folk singer believes that his experiences of contracting polio as a child played a huge part in his successful musical career: “I spent a lot of time in bed as a child after having polio while my dad read poetry to me.

 

“It made me interested in words, writing and being creative. If I hadn’t had that experience maybe I wouldn’t have gone on to write and sing my own songs for the past half a century.

 

“I feel strongly that having a disability in one area makes you explore others instead. That was the case for me after having polio.”

 

When Rotary began its commitment to rid the world of polio over three decades ago, there were 125 polio-endemic countries, now only Pakistan and Afghanistan remain, with just 18 cases of polio contracted worldwide this year.

 

The fact that we are so close to completely eradicating this disease is something which inspired Donovan to get involved. Speaking at the launch of Purple4Polio last month he said, “It is a very important thing, to try and cut it out completely. Kids should not have to have it.”

 

As part of the Purple4Polio campaign, Rotary has partnered with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) to plant purple crocus corms across Great Britain and Ireland. Rotary clubs are teaming up with the RHS’ community-based Bloom Groups and have ordered over six million corms, meaning communities will be covered in a carpet of purple when the crocuses flower in the spring of 2017.

 

Published: Tuesday 9th August 2016