Bulbs planted in Antrim as part of Focus on the Crocus campaign

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Thomas Hogg along with Helen Canning, Max, Cooper and Lucy of Jolly Tots Childcare in Antrim, help to plant crocus bulbs at Antrim Forum as part of the Rotary Club's Focus on the Crocus campaign. They are joined by Jeoff Irons, Robert Elliott, Denis Boyd and Heather Montgomery (President) of Antrim Rotary Club and Martin Sayliss of Newtownabbey Rotary Club.

Over 5,000 purple crocuses were planted at Antrim Forum and Ballyearl Arts and Leisure Centre to raise awareness for Rotary International’s eradication of polio worldwide programme.

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Thomas Hogg, was delighted to help with the bulb planting: “These purple crocuses signify the purple dyed finger of every child within the programme who is vaccinated against polio.

“I would like to thank Jolly Tots and Abbey Community College for their help to plant the crocuses and support this invaluable campaign.”

Heather Montgomery, President of Antrim Rotary Club, said: “Our aim is to raise awareness and money for the eradication programme. For every £1 raised the Bill and Melina Gates Foundation will donate a further £2.”

Leonard Sproule, President of Newtownabbey Rotary Club, added: “Since the programme was started in 1985, the disease has been reduced by 99% and remains endemic in just two countries – Afghanistan and Pakistan.”