• Find a branch
  • Call us: 0800 043 1935
  • Contact us
British Polio Fellowship
Join now   Donate  
  • Home
  • About us
      • PPS
      • What is PPS
      • What we do
      • Our vision
      • Our history
      • Oral history project
      • thebulletin
      • Our People
      • Trustees
      • Patrons
      • Ambassadors
      • Office staff
      • Our stories
      • Work for us
      • Keeping in touch
      • Contact us
      • Find a branch
      • Latest news
      • Upcoming events
      • Join our forum
      • Communication preferences
  • Support us
    • The Bulletin front cover
      • Getting involved
      • Join us
      • Raise awareness
      • Raise funds
      • BBC Lifeline
      • The Winter Warmth Appeal
      • Buy merchandise
      • Christmas Cards 2017
      • Fundraise with +moregiving
      • Ways to donate
      • Work for us
      • Partners & Affiliations
      • Become an affiliate
      • Become a partner
  • Members
    • The Bulletin front cover
      • Member services
      • Support Services
      • Helpline
      • Leaflets & factsheets
      • Resources
      • Benefits advice
      • Welfare & heating
      • Not Just Travel
      • News & events
      • thebulletin
      • Latest events
      • Fellowship news
      • Accessible holidays
      • Holiday Grants
      • Burnham Bungalow
      • Keeping in touch
      • Contact us
      • Find a branch
      • Latest news
      • Upcoming events
      • Members' forum
      • Communication preferences
      • Join today
  • Healthcare professionals
      • About PPS
      • Definition and diagnosis
      • Management and treatment
      • Resources
      • PPS Quick Reference Guide
      • Other resources
      • Items marked with indicate the link will download a PDF file
      • Clinical studies archive
      • Our Expert Panel
    • Partners & Affiliates
        • Partner Focus
        • Not Just Travel
        • Partners
        • ACE International
        • Pain UK
        • Blatchford Clinical Services
        • The Premier League
        • Sir Emeka Offor Foundation
        • Not Just Travel
        • Fish Insurance
        • Experience Days
        • Items marked with indicate the link opens an external site. British Polio Fellowship are not responsible for what appears on these sites.
        • Affiliations
        • Disability Rights UK
        • Remap
        • Lasa
        • Benefits and Work
        • The Helplines Association
        • The Neurological Alliance
        • European Polio Union
        • Northern Ireland Polio Fellowship
        • The Patients Association
        • Fundraising Standards Board
        • Euan's Guide
        • Signature Estates

      08 May 2014   Latest News, Press Release

      Aldenham school pupils get a lesson in Polio, Planting and PPS


      BPF Aldenham (2)

      A Hertfordshire school had a discussion with a difference recently, when Colin Powell, a long-standing and active member of The British Polio Fellowship, addressed 400 pupils at Aldenham Senior School on 7th May about Polio and Post Polio Syndrome (PPS); Colin presented the school with packs of wild flower seeds on behalf of the charity, allowing pupils to participate in the ‘sowing the seeds of hope’ campaign in the charity’s 75th anniversary year.

      Colin addressed the audience with a summary of his life with Polio, to 11 and 18 year old pupils, with the focus that Polio is more than just a word and that information and education are both essential in ensuring that Polio stays eradicated in the UK and never returns. A more important message than ever, given the latest warnings on Polio from the World Health Organisation (WHO).

      “It was a pleasure to speak to the Aldenham pupils and I would like to thank the school for inviting me along,” said Colin. “In today’s social networking language, we now regularly use the phrase “it’s gone viral”, but in my childhood it had a totally different connotation where it would have referred to the epidemic level spread of the Polio virus in the United Kingdom. With Polio eradicated, it is easy for PPS to become a forgotten footnote to the story of Polio. Yet while over 120,000 people in the UK remain affected, it is an ongoing issue in need of serious attention.”

      The discussion was followed by handing out 20 packets of specially selected wild flowers donated by Syngenta and Westland Horticulture to pupils, with the hope that the school can establish flower beds in remembrance of those with the late effects of Polio and PPS, thereby sowing the seeds of hope for the future.

      “The aim of the seeds of hope campaign is threefold, “explained Colin. “ It teaches something about growth and the seasons and serves as a reminder to the next generation not to let Polio

      return and to secure the help of our young people in our efforts to support those living with the late effects of Polio and PPS. Thirdly, events like these help The British Polio Fellowship raise the profile of its role, with the local community too, all of which makes it an incredibly positive activity all round.”

      Colin has lived with Polio all his life since contracting the disease aged just six months. “I was young when I contracted Polio and while hopefully these children will never face this situation, it is important they know that disability can be overcome and that there is always hope,” added Colin. “I can do anything if I want to do it badly enough and I hope I passed that hope along to the pupils.”

      Polio left Colin with paralysis in his legs, feet and spine and with respiratory problems, meaning he could only start school aged 11 once discharged from hospital. Despite being a wheelchair user, Colin has travelled the globe, despite this being like ‘planning a military operation’. Since 2010 Colin has lived with PPS himself, so he now uses a ventilator at night and requires in-flight oxygen on his travels.

      “I would like to thank Colin for coming along and delivering a very informative presentation,” said Robert Collins, Head of 6th Form and Careers at Aldenham Senior School. “It is one thing to see Polio on the news but quite another to meet Colin in person. His personal account will live long in the memory of all of us who heard it and the flowers will be a more lasting legacy of his visit.”

      This event was just the latest in a number of planned visits to those schools helping The British Polio Fellowship to Sow the Seeds of Hope. In April, QVC presenter Julia Roberts helped the charity sow the seeds at Christchurch School in Virginia Water Surrey and Colin is due to do more school talks of his own throughout the year.

      The British Polio Fellowship is a charity dedicated to helping, supporting and empowering those in the UK living with the effects of Polio and PPS. For more details or information on The British Polio Fellowship, call 0800 043 1935, email at info@britishpolio.org.uk or visit the website at www.britishpolio.org.uk

      Charity Details

      © The British Polio Fellowship is a registered charity in England & Wales (1108335) and in Scotland (SC038863).
      A company limited by guarentee and registered in England & Wales No 5294321.
      The Xchange, Wilmington Close, Watford, WD18 0FQ

      Quick Links

      How to use this site
      Accessibility
      Site map
      Forum
      Privacy policy

      Find a Branch

      Illustration map

      Contact us

      Address: The Xchange, Wilmington Close,
      Watford, WD18 0FQ

      Phone: 0800 043 1935
      Email: info@britishpolio.org.uk

      Support The British Polio Fellowship

      How much would like to donate *

      Thank you for considering a donation to The British Polio Fellowship. Below you can make a card payment through our secure payment gateway. If you would like to donate in a different way please visit the Support Us section.

      Cardholder Details

      Title *
      First Name *
      Last Name *
      Email *

      Address Details

      Address 1 *
      Postcode *
      Town or City *
      Phone *

      Donation Details

      What is the reason for your donation?
      If "In Memory" please provide details
      Can we claim Gift Aid What's this?

      What is Gift Aid?
      Gift Aid is the Government's scheme for enabling charities to reclaim tax paid on donations. If you are a UK taxpayer and pay enough tax we can reclaim the tax you paid on this amount.

      Yes
      No
       

      Items marked with an asterix * are required

      This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
      Privacy & Cookies Policy