Sunflower field to support bereavement charity

Visitors will be asked to donate to child bereavement charity when they visit Becketts Farm's sunflower field and wildflower meadow

A sunflower field popular with visitors will look to raise money this summer to help brighten the lives of youngsters struggling to cope with the loss of a loved one, organisers say.

Becketts Farm, in Wythall, Worcestershire, opens its three-acre (1.2 hectare) sunflower field and wildflower meadow every year between late July and August for free.

This year, staff at the farm said they would ask visitors for a voluntary donation to Touchstones Child Bereavement Support.

The charity provides one-to-one support for those aged between five and 21 in north-east Worcestershire who have lost a loved one.

It also provides Touchstone Memory Days where young people can share memories of their loved ones and participate in activities to reduce isolation.

Any funds raised from donations this summer will go towards funding those days which cost about £600 per day for a group of 18 young people and include activities such as go-karting and artwork.

Becketts Farm is trying to beat its best fundraising target of £2,600, achieved in 2022

Vicki Quarton set up Touchstones Child Bereavement Support in 2011 which helps about 100 youngsters each year.

“We rely on public donations to fund our one-to-one support, as well as the memory days so we are extremely grateful to Becketts Farm for supporting us," she said.

Becketts Farm is aiming to beat its own fundraising target of £2,600 achieved in 2022.

Simon Beckett, their chairman, added: “Touchstones Child Bereavement Support is a cause that is close to our hearts and we are thrilled to be supporting them."