The drive to eradicate polio is within reach, but efforts must continue to prevent the disease from crippling young children.
Cowdenbeath Rotary Club members pledged their commitment to this cause during their recent meeting.
The club has been a part of Rotary's arduous 35-year battle against polio, which has seen cases reduced by more than 99.9 per cent globally.
At their gathering, the members were reminded of the crucial task of ridding the last two countries, Pakistan and Afghanistan, of the virus and ensuring other regions remain polio-free.
Aileen North, from the West Fife Rotary Club and an avid supporter of the eradication effort, addressed the club.
She emphasised the need to maintain pressure in this final phase.
Ms North revealed that in May, there were only three cases worldwide - two in Afghanistan and one in Pakistan - a significant improvement from previous years.
However, she warned that if eradication efforts were to stop today, polio could potentially paralyse as many as 200,000 children annually within a decade.
Ms North said: "We’re close to eradicating polio, but we’re not done yet.
"We still need funds to continue immunisation and surveillance efforts.
"Any gift will get us closer to the finish line.
"Ending a disease is a massive effort, and Rotary and our partners can’t do it alone.
"People need to join us in our efforts to end polio."
Ms North attributed poor water supplies as a root cause of the disease, which was discovered in the 19th century.
She noted that work in recent years has had a significant impact in 'hot zones'.
As a result, only Pakistan and Afghanistan remain affected, and even there, the numbers have greatly reduced.
Ms North said: "Regular vaccinations for children play a huge part in keeping the disease under control, and improving water supplies to communities are also so very effective, as infected water can see the disease return at a pace."
However, she stressed that the fight is not yet won.
She said: "The amazing commitment of people in countries all over the world is making a huge difference in the fight to eradicate polio, but continued fundraising is key to the battle being won.
"A single vaccination dose costs only 20p, but millions are needed to ensure that this horrible disease, which can cripple children, is removed from all communities."
During the meeting, Cowdenbeath club members reaffirmed their support for raising necessary funds to continue the fight against polio.
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