Running the gauntlet for World Polio Day
Thanks to COVID and its long tail, restrictions in Auckland, NZ, have been prolonged and the planned End Polio Now Auckland Transit campaign was postponed until February 25, 2022.
So, what could be done to celebrate World Polio Day on October 24?
Ronald Chen, of the Rotary Club of Auckland Harbourside, had an answer. The 72-year-old Rotarian is also a life-long runner and decided to celebrate the occasion by running 12 volcanoes across Auckland in one day.
An earlier interview with Radio NZ, where Ronald shared his passion for running as well as his presence as a Rotarian, inspired District 9920’s ‘Mr Polio’, PDG Ron Seeto, to entice Ronald into holding a running event for World Polio Day.
Supported by the Rotary Clubs of Auckland Harbourside, Auckland South and Manukau Sunrise, Ronald and his nine running companions started the journey at Mt Eden at 7am, en route to One Tree Hill to meet District Governor Steve and Edith Cheney, then finally arrived at Mangere Mountain, where they were greeted by D9920 Foundation Chair PDG Jennie Herring.
“Our End Polio Now running parade received plenty of thumb-ups and cheering horns on the roads,” said Ronald. “We followed COVID rules and managed to control gatherings of less than 10 people at all times. We ran 80 kilometres in drizzling Auckland conditions to successfully build awareness for Rotary and End Polio Now.
“The event could not have worked without the support of our runners, and they deserve the certificates of recognition they received.”
Related news
Teaching children essential social and emotional skills to foster learning and encourage positive behaviour
Implementing school-based intervention programs to address issues related to PTSD and behavioural challenges in primary school children. Dr Govind Krishnamoorthy, a clinical psychologist and senior lecturer at the University of Southern Queensland was granted a Mental Health Research Grant by Australian Rotary Health in 2023. His research has focussed on further developing Trauma-Informed Behaviour Support […]
An exchange of community, culture and country
An Indigenous Group Study Exchange from South Dakota, US, to south-western NSW has highlighted the shared experiences of both country’s First Nations Peoples. A group of Native Americans from the Sioux Nation spent time travelling through south-western NSW on a Group Study Exchange from October 15 to November 2. Kibbe Brown, of the Rotary Club […]
Tackling a Rotary Camino one step at a time
Rotary International Director Elect Jennifer Scott AM outlines a new path forward for Rotary South Pacific in 2024-25. During September and October, I spent seven weeks walking the Chemin Le Puy, an 800 km Camino through France to the Spanish border. It certainly gave me time to think about the challenges we face in our […]