The weather may be gloomy, but Dorchester is looking bright and cheerful this summer, with the town throwing itself behind a sunflower-theme fundraiser.

The giant sunflowers suspended over South Street are back and, this year, there are spectacular giant sunflower murals on the pedestrian street too, painted with temporary eco paint. 

Once again, shops and businesses all over the town are taking part with sunflower window decorations and some of the local cafes are even baking sunflower themed cakes! 

The sunflowers aren't just there to look pretty, they are also to help raise money for Dorset County Hospital's Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU).

Dominic Sheehy, manager of the SCBU, said there were many improvements he would like to implement if funding was available.

"We want to build on the family experience, handing back the power to mums and babies," he commented.

"We'd love to make the space less clinical, improve the lighting, and provide privacy screens and recliners for mums to feed their babies and spend quality time uninterrupted.

"Two of our family rooms currently share a bathroom – if we could fund an additional ensuite, all four family rooms would have dedicated facilities with showers and toilets. These changes would make a significant difference to the experience of our patients and their families." 

There are also several cash collection boxes in shops and cafes around the town for donations too. 

So why sunflowers? For the third year running, a spectacular Sunflower Trail has been created by Maiden Castle Farm in Dorchester, also raising funds for the SCBU, and it is open to book now.

Matilda Manley, Dorchester Town Council officer, said: "The sunflower trail at Maiden Castle Farm is a wonderful Dorchester attraction and experience and sunflowers always bring a smile to peoples faces.

"We thought it would be a brilliant to bring that joy into the town and join in with the fundraising for a local cause."

Book now to visit the Maiden Castle Farm Sunflower Trail at: https://www.maidencastlefarm.co.uk/

The Sunflower Trail is an easy walk or cycle from Dorchester town centre so visitors are encouraged to travel by public transport to Dorchester and then make their way to the sunflower trail in an eco friendly way.

A map with a walking route from the town centre can be found here: https://discoverdorchester.co.uk/dorchesters-summer-of-sunflowers-2023/