A Stone Rotarian has received the Paul Harris Fellowship for his work to help eradicate polio from India.
Philip Leason had been telling members and friends all about his recent trip to India to help out with polio vaccinations at the club meeting on 20th April – when President Len Bassett presented him with a Paul Harris Fellowship. In this country the Fellowship is awarded to Rotarians and members of the community who really exemplify Rotary’s motto of ‘Service above Self’.
In making the award Len Bassett also drew attention to Philip’s significant contribution to the community here in Stone, his extensive historical knowledge of the town (Philip is the chairman of Stone Historical Society) and his long service in Rotaract and Rotary. He was President of Rotary in 2001/2 and as Rotary Foundation Chair in Stone looks after the polio elimination campaign in the area. Recently he has ‘led from the front’ in making two trips to India to participate in their national immunisation days – an essential activity if the disease is to be eradicated from the world.
Rotary’s District Governor Lynne Marshall was also on hand to offer Philip her congratulations on receiving this prestigious award.
The previous day Philip had organised a Sunday lunch at Stone Golf Club for members and friends of the Club to support Rotary’s polio elimination campaign, raising £250 which will be double matched by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to make a total of £750. That is enough cash to immunise over 2,000 children.
