boys’ brigade polio partnership
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.”
“the boys’ brigade is delighted to join with rotary to help end polio now”
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.