Can you grow the tallest sunflower? Or the widest, or most sunflowers on a piece of land? That is the challenge being set by Earl Mountbatten Hospice as they continue to celebrate their 35th anniversary year in 2017.
The sunflower is widely known as the hospice emblem and it is hoped that the whole community will get behind the initiative, which aims to highlight the extent to which the hospice reaches all corners of the Island.
Although many people think of the hospice as a building, more Islanders are supported in their own homes than in the 16-bed hospice ward. In fact, 600 people are cared for and supported in their own homes, including care homes. The campaign also emphasises the growth in hospice services over the past 35 years, and the continued growth and innovation into the future.
The hospice is appealing for schools, businesses, landowners and other organisations to support the initiative by planting as many sunflowers as possible over the next few months. Special hospice sunflower seed packets are now available at the 10 hospice shops, for a suggested minimum £1 donation. They will also soon be available at Jubilee Garden Centre and the National Farmers’ Union office in Newport.
Anyone wanting to get involved can also grow their own sunflowers, and the more people that get involved the more powerful a symbol of unity will be created across the Island.
Once you’ve got your sunflower seeds, the Hospice like to follow your progress. Those taking part are invited to send in photos of every stage of the growing process so they can be shared amongst the supporters both near and far through the website and social media.
The competition has 3 categories:
- Tallest sunflower
- Widest sunflower head (not including the petals)
- The most sunflowers to bloom on one piece of land
To enter the competition, growers will need to submit photos of themselves standing next to their sunflowers, clearly showing the height and/or width against a measuring tape, or total number of sunflowers grown, by email to [email protected] or by post to Communications, Earl Mountbatten Hospice, Halberry Lane, Newport, Isle of Wight.
The closing date for entries is Friday 15th September 2017 and winners will be announced on Isle of Wight Day, Saturday 23rd September 2017.
For full terms and conditions visit www.iwhospice.org.
