Veteran Rhyl Rotarians have been raising funds to help eradicate polio.

Michael McEvoy, aged 80, and 79-year-old Glyn Griffith supported the cause on October 24, World Polio Day, by manning the collection points at Morrisons stores.

Mr McEvoy said: "The global Rotary organisation has been critical in helping to virtually wipe out this terrible disease worldwide and this is the least we can do to make sure that children continue to remain safe."

Mr Griffith said: "I can remember in the 50s when the vaccine was administered by a few drops on a sugar lump and given to all school-aged children.

"Before then the disease was sweeping the country causing panic and heartache to thousands of parents."

The illuminated Cathedral  (Image: Alan Duke)

Polio is a crippling disease that attacks the nerves of the spine and the base of the brain, resulting in paralysis, deformities, and death.

By the mid-20th century, it was responsible for half a million paralyses or deaths every year.

The global fight against polio began in 1985 when Rotary International collaborated with world health organisations.

Since then, their efforts have resulted in a 99 per cent reduction in cases.

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However, there are concerns about small numbers of cases being found in Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, with recent cases reported in war-torn Gaza.

The Rhyl Rotary Club, based in St Asaph, embraced the fundraising project.

The city's cathedral was lit in purple - the defining colour of the polio eradication effort.

The Very Reverend Nigel Williams, dean of the cathedral, said: "We are proud to be supporting World Polio Day and the purple-lit cathedral will join other illuminated landmarks around the world to celebrate the virtual annihilation of this crippling disease, thanks to the efforts of so many organisations led by Rotary International.

"I also applaud the fund-raising efforts of our St-Asaph-based Rhyl Rotary Club for this very worthy cause."