Mary Berry raises £10,000 for polio eradication at fundraising dinner

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 12:38 · Archive

Dame Mary Berry, 91, was guest of honour at a Rotary Club fundraising dinner that raised £10,000 for polio eradication.

Dame Mary Berry, 91, was guest of honour at a fundraising dinner organised by the Rotary Club of Bath earlier this month. Around 130 people attended the event at Camerton Community Hall, where more than £3,300 was raised on the night. The final total is expected to exceed £10,000 thanks to a two-to-one matching scheme supported by the Gates Foundation.

The cause has particular significance for Berry, who grew up in Bath and contracted polio when she was 13 years old. Her family's association with the Rotary Club of Bath also stretches back generations, with her late brother Roger Berry having been a dedicated member for many years and her father also belonging to the organisation.

Rotary Club president Chris Davies said the evening was memorable and that 'the generosity of our guests and supporters, combined with the Gates Foundation matching funds, means we can make a significant contribution toward eradicating this devastating disease once and for all.' Rotary International has been working to eradicate polio globally for more than 35 years through its End Polio Now campaign. Since the campaign began, the global incidence of the disease has fallen by 99.9 per cent. Money from the dinner will go towards vaccination programmes, surveillance and responses to outbreaks around the world.

How it is being reported

• TV legend Mary Berry, 91, helps live-saving fight with £10,000 raisedGreat British Bake Off star and TV legend Dame Mary Berry, 91, has helped battle the life-saving fight against polio with £10,000 raised.Oxford Mail · 27 Oct, 12:00
• TV legend Mary Berry, 91, helps live-saving fight with £10,000 raisedGreat British Bake Off star and TV legend Dame Mary Berry, 91, has helped battle the life-saving fight against polio with £10,000 raised.Oxfordshire Guardian · 27 Oct, 12:00

In this story: Dame Mary Berry · Rotary Club of Bath · Gates Foundation · Rotary International · Bath · Henley

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