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Harrogate pupils plant 2,000 crocus bulbs to help end polio

Thursday, 23 October 2025 11:41

New Park Primary pupils planting purple crocus bulbs.

Harrogate pupils have dug in for a good cause, planting more than 2,000 crocus bulbs to help end polio.

Pupils from New Park Primary Academy have joined forces with the Harrogate Rotary Club to plant purple crocus bulbs in support of Rotary International’s global ‘Purple4Polio’ campaign.

The planting event took place in the school grounds and involved children from the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Key Stage 1 (KS1), who worked alongside Rotary volunteers to plant the bulbs.

The activity aimed to raise awareness of ongoing efforts to eradicate polio worldwide.

The purple crocus has become a symbol of the campaign, representing the purple dye used to mark the finger of a child who has been immunised against the disease.

Hollie Bailey, a teacher at New Park Primary Academy, said:

“Our children had a wonderful time getting their hands dirty for a good cause.

“It was a fantastic way to bring learning outside the classroom while helping them understand how small actions can make a big difference in the world.”

According to Rotary International, global vaccination efforts have reduced cases of polio by more than 99%.

Members of Harrogate Rotary Club supplied the bulbs and helped the pupils throughout the day.

Teachers described the event as a valuable opportunity for pupils to learn about teamwork and global citizenship through hands-on activity.

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