Sidcup primary school pupils are joining the fight against polio with a special fundraising week, which the Mayor of Bexley attended.

Pupils at Orchard Primary School wore purple yesterday (February 23) and painted their pinkies to show they are are immune from the potentially paralysing disease.

Rotarian Tim Goodwin taught pupils about poliomyelitis, which is now eradicated through immunisation in all but three countries – Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria.

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Purple pinkies for Evie Browning (7) and Harry Doyle (9)

The worldwide campaign to kill off polio is spearheaded by Rotary International.

The Rotary Club of Sidcup have supported it for over 25 years and have donated £10,000 in the last 15 years.

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A club spokesman said: “The children at Orchard Primary School can all make a real difference to our campaign and for a week there will be a collection box where for a donation of 50p or £1 they can have a purple crocus badge to wear.

“50p provides immunisation for one treatment for one child.”

The purple badges and pinkies show the children have been vaccinated, because that is the colour put on a child’s finger after they have the jab.

Rotarian Roy Barlow said that for every £1 raised by the Rotary, Bill Gates has agreed to donate two.