A ROTARY club has continued its efforts in combatting worldwide polio by holding an information event.

Manningtree Rotary Club held the event in the Crown Pub, Manningtree.

On the evening, Helen Whitehead was inducted as a new member and a talk on the club’s work to eradicate polio worldwide took place.

Stephen Coiley, club president, said: “Rotary worldwide has been working with Bill Gates and other companies to eradicate polio.

“Apart from a minor outbreak in Mozambique, we’ve nearly eradicated the virus globabally.

“For every pound or dollar raised to combat polio, Bill Gates will give £2 which will help a lot of people get vaccinated.”

Helen Whitehead is a member of Mermaids Against Sewage, a wild swimmer group focused on combatting pollution in rivers.

Manningtree Rotary has collaborated with Mermaids Against Sewage before by accompanying the group on a Manningtree protest in April.

Funds raised from the family race night that happened on Saturday will go towards the polio appeal.

Additionally, next month will see Mr Coiley grow a Pancho Villa moustache and dye it purple to raise further awareness of polio.

For more information on Manningtree Rotary, visit facebook.com/manningtreerotary/.