The Rotary Clubs of Tenby and Saundersfoot have both received a letter from leading figures in world health and the welfare of children thanking them both for their generous contribution to the Rotary International 'Polio Eradication' campaign.
The letters addressed to President Don Ramsay, of the Rotary Club of Tenby, and President Peter Williams of the Rotary Club of Saundersfoot, were jointly signed by Dr. Lee Jong-Wook (director general, World Health Organisation), Carol Bellamy (executive director, UNICEF), secretary Tommy Thompson, (US Department of Health and Human Services) and Dr. Julie L. Geberding (director, US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention).
In 1985, Rotary International took a stand against Polio, a disease that crippled 350,000 children annually.
Since then Rotary has become the heart and soul of the Global Polio eradication initiative, now in partnership with the World Health Organisation, UNICEF and the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, all dedicated to realising Rotary's dream of a polio free world everywhere.
The signatories go on to say: 'This year confronted with a funding shortfall, Rotary members worldwide again responded with thousands of fundraising events and raised the staggering sum of US$ 111.2 million.
"For millions of children in some of the world's poorest countries, the results are plain to see. Today 209 countries are polio free (with only seven more to go) and more than two billion children have now been immunized.
"Because of the dedication of Rotary members everywhere and the support of communities like Tenby and Saundersfoot, we are one step away from a polio free world."
The signatories conclude their letter by saying:"On behalf of the Global Polio Eradication Partnership, we commend the Rotary Clubs of Tenby and Saundersfoot and the people of Tenby and Saundersfoot for your latest, and much needed contribution, to ensure every child is immunized against polio.
"We challenge others-individuals, communities and governments - to follow your vision and provide the funding still very much needed to ensure that all children can enjoy a world without polio."