A PURPLE haze is spreading its way right across North Wales in a bid to eradicate a life-changing disease.

Last year, Bangor Rotary Club launched its campaign to bathe buildings in purple light along the Menai Strait, from Bangor to Caernarfon to highlight efforts to eradicate Polio.

Now the campaign has spread, after Bangor Rotarian and District 1180 District Governor Bob Maskall challenged other Rotary Clubs to take part.

The purple project aims to raise increase awareness of the Rotary's ‘End Polio Now’ project.

The colour is significant, as it is the colour of the purple ink put on a child's finger as a marker following polio immunisation.

To mark World Polio Day, on Thursday, October 24, buildings right across Anglesey, Gwynedd, Conwy and Denbighshire are now being illuminated.

Thanks to CADW, with support by Electrical Contractor Owen and Palmer, castles such as Caernarfon, Conwy and Beaumaris, Bangor's Cathedral and Pontio, as well as hotels, shops, businesses, schools, churches and private homes are all taking part.

Our Lady’s RC primary school Bangor had a "wear something purple" day and raised £180 the End Polio Now programme. RotaKids - a mini Rotary Club for children - and pupils all got involved.

The school hall windows were decorated with purple butterflies, decorated by the Rota-Kids, and there was a purple t-shirt for every child not in uniform.

The money raised means 900 children can be vaccinated against polio.

Travellers on the A55 will see a Purple Quarry Clock above Penmaenmawr and visitors to Rhos on Sea will have an early view of a “Purple Tree of Lights”

Other events include: a showing of the film ‘Breathe’ (a story of a polio victim’s struggle and success) with takings going to the immunisation fund.

A multi-faith service held in Bangor Cathedral raised around £200 towards the project. The Cathedral and Pontio are also being lit up in purple, by Richard George, of Tribal Productions (Facebook.)

On Friday, October 25, the Rev Wyn Roberts (aka Elvis) is donating a performance at 7.15pm, at the Victoria Hotel, Menai Bridge. Tickets are available at the door and are £10 .

There will also be an information stall at Ysbyty Gwynedd, until October 25, where visitors can find out more about the “End Polio Now’ and make donations

Members of Rotary Clubs will be manning locations in towns and cities during the week promoting Rotary and Purple4PolioCampaign.

Buildings in Ruthin taking part include: Ruthin School, St Peter's Church, Ysgol Bry Hyfryd as well as shops.

Rotary has been working for 30 years to eradication polio which endemic in only two countries, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

District Governor Bob Maskall said: ‘We’re so close to ridding the world of polio now with fewer than 80 current cases.

"However, it is imperative that immunisations continue to protect the world's children because until there are nil cases for at least two years the job isn’t done."