LEDBURY Rotarian Jan Long is a woman on a mission, or will be on January 25 when she takes a trip to India and will be working alongside local medical staff in the Delhi region immunising people against the polio virus.

Volunteer Jan is passionate about the eradication of polio around the world, having seen children suffering through paralysis and breathing difficulties when she lived abroad in Africa and other countries.

She will be representing the 69 clubs which form District 1100, and accompanied by Harrison the Rotary 'End Polio Now' campaign bear, will join forces with 70 people from around the UK, all of whom will be based in different areas of India.

Like many other infectious diseases, polio victims tend to be some of the most vulnerable members of the population.

Jan and the teams will be administering the immunisation which involves two drop given orally. This relatively simple medication has already saved millions of lives and eradicated the disease in every country except Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Although India has been declared polio free, the immunisation work must continue for at least a year to ensure the country is finally free.

Jan said that Rotary is usually known for its work in the local community, such as that for which Ledbury is famous, but that they also work internationally, and this is a challenge for the world as polio is so infectious it is only a plane ride away.

Getting children to come forward for their vaccine is helped by the giving of a gift, usually a ballpoint pen and Jan asks if there are any businesses in Ledbury who would be willing to donate biros.

Jan said "My greatest hurdle is the flight! I'm really scared of flying, which is ironic because I love travelling! Rotary has been involved in eradicating polio for more than 30 years, and the funds raised have been matched by the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, so the millions of dollars goes towards the life saving vaccines around the globe."