The Rotary Club of Campbell River held their Pumpkins for Polio Beer & Burger fundraiser this week, at the Riptide Marine Pub.

The event raised around $7,200 which will be matched 2-to-1 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Rotary’s Pieter Koelman says cases of Polio around the world are actually on a slight rise from last year.

World Polio Day was October 24th, held annually when global health experts & partners share progress on the road to polio eradication.

Gary McLelan, with the Rotary Club of Campbell River, says the club will also be contributing more funds from other sources, and that they give their heartfelt thanks to everyone who took part, and the generosity of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

With this week’s event proceeds, and the top up from the Foundation, more than $21,600 will benefit the efforts to eradicate polio throughout the world through the work of Rotary Clubs globally.