VOLUNTEERS from Huddersfield are, quite literally, saving lives in India.

They are in a group of 34 Britons taking part in a massive immunisation project to try and eradicate polio.

Fixby woman Sue Charlesworth and her daughter Sarah were recruited by fellow Fixby residents John and Chris Philip to join the mercy mission to the Lucknow area of India.

India is just one of four countries left in the world to suffer from polio.

There they and other members of a Rotary-backed team of volunteers are aiming to help in the immunisation of around 150m under-fives in India.

They made a great start. Last weekend the West Yorkshire team handed out 23,000 doses of vaccine.

Some 2.5m doses have already been handed out in other parts of India by teams from across the world.

Miss Charlesworth, of Netherwood Close, said: “This was a life-changing, best-ever, hands-on experience for us.”

The Philips were in charge of the volunteer team.

Mrs Philip, Rotary’s District 1040 (Yorkshire) Polio Officer, said: ‘Some 23,000 more children reached our polio booths this time.

“We cannot take credit for this, but our presence in Lucknow generated an unprecedented media interest.

“So, far I have collected 17 press cuttings, I am sure that there were more.

“One article appeared in a newspaper with a high Muslim readership. Uptake amongst the Muslim community has gone up thanks to Rotary’s relentless efforts.

“The Yorkshire volunteers had a visible presence in the streets and vaccination booths.

“We were warmly welcomed by the community, some of whom are very deprived.

“I would like to congratulate our team for the exemplary way they conducted themselves.

“By our coming here, if one extra child has received the drops then all the efforts and cost would have been worth it.”

Welcoming the UK Rotarians, Mr Shukla, the highest ranking Government Officer inLucknow, said: “I welcome you on behalf of the Government and thank you for your support in this battle against polio.

“We had 1,831 teams doing door-to-door activity, some in very sensitive areas.

“Rotary colleagues here, health workers and the Government fully appreciate the cost and time you all have invested in coming here and supporting us. Your presence here has generated considerable media interest, which raised the profile of the campaign.”

The National Immunisation Days are an enormous undertaking, involving thousands of volunteers.

The Huddersfield and Calderdale volunteers were part of the 1,831 teams who went door to door, including some very deprived areas.

Mrs Philip added: “Wherever we went we were warmly welcomed.

“The visit marks a UK-wide Thanks For Life/End Polio Now fund-raising initiative that Rotarians across Yorkshire are involved in and which also coincides with Rotary Day on February 23, the organisation’s 105th anniversary.”

The Charlesworths plan to raise more funds when they return home and have organised a frugal supper at St Hilda’s Church, Cowcliffe, on Monday, March 22.

Rotarians across the world have already raised $107m towards the $200m needed to match-fund an amount donated by Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates to help eradicate polio from the last remaining four countries in the world where the virus is still endemic – India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria.