A REDBRIDGE Rotarian has set his sights on ending Polio as he becomes the District Governor for the capital.

Martin Gudde, 53, who was the youngest founding member of Redbridge Rotary Club in 1981, has become the Rotary District Governor (DG) for Greater London.

Mr Gudde officially took over duties from Wally Daly at the District Governor's Changeover Lunch at the Prince Regents Hotel in Chigwell at the beginning of the month.

Now one of 29 DGs across Britain and Ireland, Mr Gudde is responsible for 74 rotary clubs and has promised to focus on youth matters and the Thanks for Life Rotary Campaign to End Polio Now during his year in the position.

Born in Bishops Stortford but raised in North London, the father-of-two and grandfather-of-five was President of Redbridge Rotary Club in 1989 - 1990 and was asked to join the District PR committee a year later, followed by membership of the District Club Service committee on which he served for five years.

He became Chairman of the District Community Service Committee and was elected Assistant Governor serving both East and North London areas.

Mr Gudde was also given a role as a bereavement counsellor after joining Victim Support, and has been a trustee of a children’s respite care organisation.