A fundraising and awareness effort to end polio around the world, came to St. John’s this week – and in doing so, set a world record.

Eighty-nine-year-old Ed Galkin is now the oldest pilot ever to cross the Atlantic in both directions while flying a single-engine aircraft.

Galkin and Peter Teahen are involved in the Flight to End Polio, and have raised more than $2 million for the Rotary Global Polio Eradication Initiative. The Americans started their latest effort on August 30th, embarking on a 37-day, 8,800 nautical mile flight.

They landed at St. John’s yesterday, completing the longest leg of their trek – a nine-hour flight from the Azores.

They’re scheduled to return home to the States on the weekend.