Dorset County Hospital (DCH) Charity is delighted to announce that the 2026 Dorset Sunflower Trail in Dorchester has raised £23,162.12 towards the Emergency and Critical Care Appeal. This this takes the total amount raised by Maiden Castle Farm for Dorset County Hospital (DCH) to over £100,000.
A celebration event has been held at Dorchester Rugby Club to thank everyone who has organised and taken part in this amazing local event, which experienced a bumper year of sunflowers this summer. Over 11,000 visitors attended the Dorset Sunflower Trail for a fun day out and to make memories amongst the stunning sunflowers.
The Hoskin family of Maiden Castle Farm have been supporting DCH Charity through the Dorset Sunflower Trail since 2021. Hazel’s team have raised funds for SCBU, Kingfisher Ward, the general fund, and £54,742.07 has been donated to the Emergency and Critical Care Appeal.
Maiden Castle Farm’s contribution has paid for a Cerebral Function Monitor on SCBU, enabling the care team to provide additional diagnostics and care for babies on the Unit. Their considerable donation to the Emergency and Critical Care Appeal will fund equipment and facilities to benefit local people using the new departments for generations to come.
Hazel Hoskin said, “It never ceases to amaze us here at Maiden Castle Farm how much joy the Dorset Sunflower Trail brings to our visitors. Over the last six years, we’ve watched families make memories and capture moments that become treasured keepsakes. Seeing the smiles, laughter, and pure happiness from those who wander through the trail reminds us why we do what we do. Raising money for Dorset County Hospital is incredibly important to us as a family, and this seasonal event is our way of connecting with the local community. It is our small gesture to say thank you for the care and support they’ve given.”
DCH Charity Appeal Patron, Kate Adie CBE DL attended the evening. She said, “The efforts of Hazel and the team, alongside everyone else’s is incredible. When you think of a sunflower, it’s a flower that brings wonderful brightness to life, they are uplifting and you can hardly help but smile when you see them. Thanks to those who attended and organised this event we are one step closer to our Appeal target.”
Head of DCH Charity, Simon Pearson said, “Our heartfelt thanks go to Hazel and her family for their tremendous fundraising efforts over the last six years. They have truly left a legacy which will benefit so many people for many years to come who will use the new Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit, and also the Kingfisher Ward and SCBU.
We are continuously amazed by Hazel’s energy and creative ideas every year to make the Dorset Sunflower Trail the best it can be for local people to visit and enjoy. We are looking forward to the 2027 Dorset Sunflower Trail already!”
For updates on the 2027 Dorset Sunflower Trail, visit www.maidencastlefarm.co.uk, or if you would like to get in touch to talk about a fundraising event to raise funds for DCH Charity, get in touch: dch.charity@nhs.net or phone 01305 253215. Find out more information about our Emergency and Critical Care Appeal: Emergency and critical care appeal – dchcharity.org.uk.
