THIS SUMMER, I’m asking everyone to help raise money to keep children safe from polio, something I feel extremely passionate about having experienced the disease first-hand.

Millions of children around the world are in danger of contracting polio – it’s highly contagious and sadly there is no cure.

For the next three months, passengers travelling with easyJet from Bristol Airport can donate their spare change and unwanted foreign currency to Unicef, the world’s leading organisation for children, at a crucial time in the race to eradicate polio globally.

From my personal experience of polio, I know just how devastating the disease can be. I was born in Lagos, Nigeria and contracted polio at just 15 months old. It caused paralysis in the left side of my body and left me unable to use my left leg.

As a result, my parents realised it would be too hard to bring up a disabled child in Nigeria and saved up to bring us over to the UK. At the time, they couldn’t afford to bring my sister, so in effect it not only left me disabled, but broke up my family as I didn’t see my sister again for 10 years. I want to make sure no other child has to go through this too.

This summer, the easyJet and Unicef Change for Good partnership will raise funds through on-board collections on easyJet flights, from June 29 to September 13, tying into Unicef’s Children in Danger Summer Disease Appeal.

Although there is no cure for polio, there is a safe and effective vaccine. Three doses of polio vaccine can give a lifetime of immunity, meaning it costs as little as 27p to protect a child forever.

I am urging everyone who flies with easyJet over the summer to donate generously.

Ade Adepitan

TV presenter and Paralympic wheelchair basketball medallist