PEDAL POWER DRIVES PASSION FOR END POLIO
Two Tasmanian Rotarians who have ridden across the Nullarbor Plain to raise funds for the End Polio Now campaign are calling on Rotary colleagues throughout the zone to donate to the cause and rid the world of this paralysing disease once and for all.
Article by PP Roslyn Teirney, Assistant Regional Public Image Coordinator
Phil and Joyce Ogden, of the Rotary Club of South Launceston, in District 9830, have shown extraordinary commitment to Rotary International's effort to eradicate polio. As they near the end of their journey, they have challenged us all to acknowledge the enormity of their commitment to the cause by joining the list of those who have donated.
The Ogdens' public relations campaign has been ongoing since early April and the Raise for Rotary page where they are collecting donations recently passed the $17,000 mark.
But Joyce and Phil are not satisfied, pointing out the donations so far, when converted to rotation of the cranks, mean that each push on the pedals has brought 3.7cents cascading into the coffers. That, of course, is 1.35 cents each.
To help spread the word, District 9830 Governor, Heather Chong, and End Polio Now District Chair, Marion Cooper, decided to invest in a short video which tells the story of the Ogdens' motivation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1fscXl-6Pk
The video is only 6 minutes 40 seconds long and covers the journey from the official farewell in Launceston, Tasmania, to Madura in Western Australia.
Assistant Regional Public Image Chair, Roslyn Teirney, said the editor, Adam Reibel, has now made seven films for Rotary and knows the branding and marketing policies inside out. "Adam is a master storyteller" she said "and the video is pacy and exciting."
As the Ogdens reach South Australia, their PR commitments increase, with District 9510 Public Image Director, Julie Johnson, having inspired clubs along the way to assist the Ogdens in gaining strong support from local newspapers and radio stations. Julie said The Rotary Foundation team in South Australia and the Assistant Governors had worked together to lay out the welcome mat and there is great excitement as Rotarians host the couple during the final week.
The Ogdens will ride across the finish line at the meeting of the Rotary Club of Adelaide on Wednesday 22 June, all going well.
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