'Sunflower walks' raise thousands for hospice

A pair of sunflower farmers have raised more than £3,000 for a hospice.

Brothers Lloyd and Mat Smith hosted "sunflower walks" at their farm in Ramsey, Cambridgeshire, attended by more than 1,000 people over a three-week period last month.

Visitors had the chance to walk around fields containing more than 300,000 sunflowers planted by the brothers as part of their bird seeds business.

Lloyd said they wanted to support the Thorpe Hall Hospice run by Sue Ryder in Peterborough after it provided "amazing care" to his father-in-law last year.

A total of £3,168 was raised for the hospice

It was the third time they had hosted the walks, and Lloyd said they wanted to repeat them ever year.

"We are really happy. The activity is gaining popularity each year and we had over 1,000 people this year," he said.

"We are delighted to support Sue Ryder... it just felt right, given our personal connection to the hospice. It's all about giving something back."

Lloyd added that the farm had enjoyed "a great season of blooming sunflowers" thanks to the hot weather.

Lloyd and Mat Smith said they were proud of their efforts

Morgan Hicks, community fundraiser at the hospice, said: "We are grateful to Lloyd and  Mat, and everyone who visited the farm. Your generosity makes a real difference."