Bake Off for Polio

Ayr Rotary Club held a bake off at St Leonard’s Church on Saturday 6th May to raise money for the international initiative End Polio Now. Over 30 cakes, from a simple fruit scone to a frangipane tart on display were baked by Rotarians. Judge Geoff Russell from the Savoy Park Hotel had the unenviable task of tasting every carefully crafted work of art. As he edged along the trestle tables which were groaning with tasty goodies, Geoff took to his task with serious intent, there being no chance of a subtle bribe. His face communicated no indication of loving or loathing as he savoured small samples of Rotarian endeavours. Then, watched by all contestants and their guests, Geoff announced his results. Ronnie Wilson jubilantly punched the air when he was awarded first place for his Guinness cake and received a Mary Berry cook book. Alex Thomson was second with his Clootie Dumpling. Jim Nelson third with his Citrus & Almond cake and Craig Wilson fourth with his Blueberry Sponge. £500 was raised during the afternoon and through the Gates Foundation association with Rotary International, this will be tripled to £1500 for End Polio Now. Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria are hampered by insecurity that makes it difficult to vaccinate all children. The return of polio to Nigeria last year was an unexpected setback just as the country celebrated two years polio-free. Health workers and vaccine campaigns have been unable to reach some communities there that have been cut off by Boko Haram. Also with people being driven out of their communities, there is the possibility that those people could carry polio to neighbouring countries. Some 23,000 front-line health workers are deployed in Lake Chad Region to vaccinate up to 94 million children. Countries are trying to work together to prevent new polio infections. Vaccine campaigns are being launched at the same time so people travelling across borders are not missed. The few cases found in Pakistan and Afghanistan are mostly along their shared border