Rotary sunflowers for Charlie House

Since early May, our club members have been engaged in the planning and execution of a project to help further the objective of Charlie House to construct at its Woodend Hospital site; a purpose built facility dedicated to furtherance of its specialist care services for children burdened by life limiting health problems and respite care for their families.

We came up with a plan to sow and grow a field of sunflowers and hopefully raise funds by selling them to the public. One of our members volunteered the use of an area of land and we set about the task of preparing the land for its intended purpose. Soil samples were analysed, plentiful well-rotted dung was spread, the land was ploughed and sunflower seeds, generously donated by a seed supplier sympathetic to our purpose, were duly sown mid-May.

The weather thereafter proved favourable, the seeds duly germinated, the seedlings grew apace, but so too did almost every manner of weed! Combatting these was not entirely successful but ultimately flowerheads bloomed and, aided by P.Y.O.road signage and extensive Facebook posts, marketing began on 14th August.  Almost immediately it was apparent that our product, coupled with empathy for the Charlie House cause, appealed to the public and for the ensuing 6 weeks there was a steady stream of traffic to our field, where Rotarians issued secateurs, cut and sold flowers, directed traffic and organised parking.

The project has proved to be very worthwhile and free proceeds of around £6,200 will shortly find their way to Charlie House.

We wish to convey our sincere thanks to all who have assisted with this endeavour whether by lending their time and effort, providing use of plant and machinery, sharing Facebook posts or spreading news of our sunflowers.

You have all helped bring a genuine touch of sun to the lives of those less fortunate.