A village Gardening Club has launched a sunflower growing competition to raise funds for Ukraine.

The North Luffenham Garden Club has launched a ‘Sowing Seeds of Hope’ competition, with all proceeds donated directly to the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal of the Disasters Emergency Committee, a coalition of 15 leading aid charities providing food, water, shelter, healthcare and protection to those fleeing the conflict.

Keen gardeners of all ages are encouraged to enter as there are three competition categories – Blooms (16 years and over), Buds (10 to 15 years) and Seedlings (nine years and under).

The winner of the Blooms category will receive a two-course meal for two at The Fox in North Luffenham, which includes a bottle of house wine or soft drink alternatives, winner of the Buds group will receive a £25 voucher to use at the Rutland Water Garden Nursery, while the Seedlings winner will receive a mystery gardening goody bag.

Chairman of the North Luffenham Garden Club, Shaun Ryan, said: “At the North Luffenham Garden Club, we wanted to collectively support vulnerable people in Ukraine and when we realised that the sunflower is Ukraine’s national flower, this competition sprang to life.”

“I’d like to thank our sponsors – The Fox in North Luffenham and Rutland Water Garden Nursery, for donating prizes and also allowing us to sell the seeds in their locations. To Nimble Media, for designing and printing the posters, letters and seed packets; and Pretty Wild Seeds, for supplying the seeds.”

“The club is looking forward to judging the entries – and together, we will nurture our sunflowers in aid of the Ukraine appeal.”

Packets of Ukrainian giant sunflower seeds, donated by Pretty Wild Seeds, are now available for a minimum donation of £2 to purchase from The Fox in North Luffenham, The Boot Inn South Luffenham, Rutland Water Garden Nursery, Edith Weston Village Shop, Welland Vale Garden Centre in Uppingham and Ashwell Garden Centre.

Entries are limited to one sunflower per person.

The competition will close on September 9.

Competition envelopes still available to buy & set your Sunflower seeds before the end of the month with a chance to grow the tallest sunflower 😊