Western Morning News (Saturday)
A splash of sunshine brings cheer for charity
VAN Gogh’s five paintings of sunflowers are among the most popular works of art in the world – simply because everyone loves sunflowers… A fact which is proved every year at a well known Devon farm-shop where the bright yellow blooms raise large sums for a local charity.
Over the summer months hordes of visitors are drawn to Darts Farm’s vibrant yellow fields of pick-your-own sunflowers – and each time a purchase is made a donation goes to the business’s chosen local charity, Hospiscare.
This summer the sunshine flowers raised a total of £6,542, which means an impressive running total of £38,554.75 has been raised over the past 12 years.
Michael Dart said: “We have been overwhelmed by the generosity to help make our pick-your-own sunflowers for Hospiscare a record-breaking year. From our brilliant customers who have come to pick them, to the Pearce Seeds who donated the seeds for planting – our visitors helped us to give a muchneeded donation to a local charity that’s so close to many of our hearts.
“This year has been very different, with visitors on staycations and locals really taking some time to appreciate what is on their doorstep. Everyone seems to have gone back to enjoying the simpler things in life; wandering around the fields, breathing in the fresh Devon air and enjoying the beautiful estuary views.”
His brother, James Dart, added: “Our sunflowers not only brighten up everyone’s day but provide much needed food for wildlife and under threat bees. Once they die down, they are enjoyed by birds, who feast on the seeds. They are an important part of our sustainability practices and passion for looking after local nature.”
Hospiscare offers free support and expert care for those with a terminal diagnosis in the local Devon community and provides a vital source of support for their families at times of real need.
The fundraising hasn’t stopped yet though. Darts Farm’s amazing Maize Maze is still open with all proceeds going to Estuary League of Friends; another local charity which looks after the elderly and vulnerable in the community.
Over the past 25 years Darts Farm has evolved to become one of the most popular shopping experiences in the South West. It remains a family business, run by the Dart brothers – the retail side looked after by Michael and James and the farm headed up by Paul. The business is, at its core, still a working farm, and sells all of its homegrown produce directly through the farm shop.