story by: Chris kennedy

Rotary in Great Britain & Ireland and the Boys’ Brigade in the United Kingdom ​and the Republic of Ireland have joined forces in the fight against polio.

The two organisations have decided to put the End Polio Now campaign at the ​top of their agendas, heralding the launch last month of ‘Operation Purple Pinky’ ​at the Boys’ Brigade’s Scotland Headquarters at Carronvale House, Larbert.

Rotary Foundation Trustee and Rotary International’s Immediate Past President, ​Gordon McInally, said: “This is an example of two major organisations coming ​together and working together to tackle a common cause.”

The Boys’ Brigade is one of the biggest Christian youth organisations in the UK ​and Ireland. It has 20,000 young people in its organisation, along with 7,000 ​volunteer leaders and more than 750 companies. Their patron is King Charles III.

The Boys’ Brigade was founded in Glasgow by Sir William Alexander Smith in ​1893 beginning with a company formed in Scotland.

Their philosophy is: “We have faith in young people and provide opportunities for ​children and young people to learn, grow and discover in a safe, fun and caring ​environment which is rooted in the Christian faith.”

Reverend Dez Johnston, President of the Boys’ Brigade in Great Britain and the ​Republic of Ireland, said: “The Boys’ Brigade is delighted to join with Rotary to ​help End Polio Now. I know our members and companies, wherever they are ​based, will meet the challenge of raising awareness of polio so that more ​vaccines can be supplied to protect children from this terrible disease.”

Jonathan Eales, CEO of the Boys’ Brigade, explained that they would be asking ​every Boys’ Brigade company in the British Isles to partner with a local Rotary ​club in the lead up to World Polio Day on October 24.

He said: “We have had an excellent team working on ‘Operation Purple Pinkie’ for ​some time now. The team has suggested activities for our members right ​through the various age groups to help them plan how they can play their part.”

Gordon McInally reiterated the need for Rotary clubs to return the favour. He ​added: “Just as the call has gone out to Brigade companies to seek out and work ​with their Rotary club, I would ask all Rotarians to locate their local Boys’ Brigade ​company to offer support.

“There should be two vital groups looking for each other!”

Famous Boys’ Brigade members include the musician Stormzy, TV personality ​Dermot O’Leary, football legend Sir Alex Fergusson, disc jockey Ken Bruce and ​Scotland First Minister John Swinney.