A BANGOR club is hoping to create a purple haze to raise awareness of a devastating disease.

The Bangor Rotary Club is calling on local people to help them bathe local buildings and iconic structures in a purple light to highlight worldwide efforts to eradicate Polio.

Poliomyelitis, often called polio or infantile paralysis. It is an infectious disease caused by the polio virus.

In its most severe form it can causes nerve injury leading to paralysis, difficulty breathing and sometimes death.

It used to be common in the UK, though rare nowadays due to vaccination.

However, in other parts of the world, it is still a threat and there are ongoing efforts to completely eradicate the disease through vaccination programmes which have been backed by International and UK wide Rotary clubs who are taking part in a variety of activities to mark World Polio Day.

The Bangor club is hoping to light up buildings such as Caernarfon Castle, the bridges across the Menai Strait, the Pier in Bangor, Beaumaris Pier and Bangor Cathedral, between Monday, October 22 and Friday, October 26, to coincide with World Polio Day on October 24.

But, they also want to hear from anyone who has a house, shop or property along the Menai Strait, or in the area, who might want to join in their light-up campaign.

Former Bangor Mayor, Councillor Derek Hainge, who is a member of the Bangor Rotary, said: “We’d love to hear from anyone who would like to offer their building to be lit up in a purple light.

“We wanted to do something and we were inspired to use the colour purple when we heard that in other countries they use purple ink on the fingers of the children when they get their polio vaccination. For the kids it’s like a badge of honour to show they have been treated.

“If people could light up their homes themselves in a purple, light that would be fantastic to help us mark World Polio day and the eradication of this awful disease which still affects poorer parts of the world.”

Barrie Freeman, also of the club said: “The Menai Strait area will join some iconic buildings and structures across the globe such as the Sydney Opera House, Table Mountain, The Coliseum, Rome, and the Houses of Parliament, and many others, all of which have been lit up in purple in the past.

“We thought it would be great if we could get castles at both end of the Strait in purple and other iconic buildings along the way and around the area.”

Derek Hainge added: “If anyone needs any help or advice about lighting up their buildings, they can always contact us for help or advice.”

Please contact the Bangor Rotary Club via derekhainge@gmail.com

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