This is the official marketing video for the Rotary Club of Kilsyth fundraising initiative for Rotary International’s End Polio Now campaign.

As we are currently in lock down due to the Covid 19 pandemic, I had to record the video section of me, on my own, on my mobile phone. To get it at just the right height I had an elaborate stand created from a pile of boxes, with a jar of curry sauce on the top, to prop my phone against. It felt weird talking earnestly to this contraption, but it was what I had available.

My son Fraser kindly took my amateur recording and produced this professional looking video from it. 

In view of lock down and social distancing, Rotary fundraising has been significantly curtailed worldwide. I wondered whether I could come up with a fundraising idea to utilise my artistic skills during this time. I came upon the idea of The Message of Hope campaign.

I designed a greetings card which could be sold to generate funds for End Polio Now and which could be sent with a ‘message of hope’ to those currently isolated or bereaved. Post pandemic the cards can be used for other purposes too, as they are blank inside for your own message.

The card design has a pointillism crocus plant and splotches of purple dye. It was inspired by the current awareness raising initiative, Purple4Polio, as they plant purple crocuses and sell purple crocus badges.

The purple is significant as all children immunised during the mass immunisation programme have their finger painted with purple dye to indicate that they have been immunised. All profits from card sales will go to the charity. Just as the dots have come together to produce an image to make people smile.

I hope people around the world will come together to send a message of hope , as this will benefit the charity which is trying to eradicate Polio and have a positive impact on mental health  at this difficult time. Cards are 5 for £10 and can be bought by contacting: KilsythSecretary@hotmail.com

Please support this initiative and be part of something big.

Rhona x