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The Bailiwick Rotary has teamed up with Floral Guernsey and Bernie’s Gardening Services to plant 8,000 crocuses at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital.
It seemed particularly fitting to highlight the continued success of the battle against polio, on the same day as the first Pfizer vaccination jab in the UK.
“I think the eradication of an infectious disease is such an important global milestone,” said Director of Public Health, Dr Nicola brink, “the importance is that vaccines save lives, and we’re very hopeful that the introduction of the covid vaccine will save lives as well.”
Crocuses are planted across the island every year to remind people of polio and the fact it still hasn’t been eradicated. 2.5 billion people have been vaccinated against the disease and in August this year Africa was certified free from wild polio.
“Polio and covid have the same status as being public health emergencies of international concern,” said member of the Bailiwick Rotary, Jannine Birtwistle, “so it’s really apt that we’re doing this in the grounds of the hospital.”
Pictured: 8,000 bulbs will be placed along grass verges at the PEH.
Rotary was at the forefront of the fight against polio back in 1985. Dr Brink has praised the work done by the organisation.
“Rotary had the vision to see that poliovirus, like the smallpox virus, could be wiped from the face of the earth.”
Pictured: Members of the Rotary club were joined by Dr Brink, Appleby LLP, Bernie's Gardening and Floral Guernsey to start planting at the PEH.
Appleby Guernsey LLP helps fund the purchase of the crocus bulbs and we can expect to see them flower in March.
“Just like the community has pulled together so successfully in our COVID-19 response, everyone can play their part in the ongoing work so that we can all live in a polio-free world,” concluded Dr Brink.
You can find out more about supporting the cause online.
Pictured top: The planting scheme is a joint venture spearheaded by the Bailiwick Rotary.
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