Dorset County Hospital (DCH) Charity is delighted to announce that the 2025 Sunflower Trail in Dorchester has raised £15,100 towards the Emergency and Critical Care Appeal. This this takes the total amount raised by Maiden Castle Farm for Dorset County Hospital (DCH) to £78,000.
A celebration event has been held at the Dorford Centre to thank everyone who has organised and taken part in this amazing local event and discuss plans for the Dorset Sunflower Trail in 2026.
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 over £31,000 has been donated to the Emergency and Critical Care Appeal.
Hazel’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. In summer 2025, The One Show filmed at the Dorset Sunflower Trail where Hazel told her story of support and explained why DCH is so important to her and her family.
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 5 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’s Head of Fundraising, Jodi Hibbard said, “Our heartfelt thanks go to Hazel and her family for their tremendous fundraising efforts over the last five years. Their donations will make a huge difference to supporting patient care at Dorset County Hospital now, and for generations to come. 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 2026 Dorset Sunflower Trail already!”
For updates on the 2026 Sunflower Trail, visit Best things to do in Dorchester: Dorset Sunflower Trail or if you would like to get in touch to talk about a fundraising event to raise funds for DCH Charity, get in touch: charity@dchft.nhs.uk or phone 01305 253215. Find out more information about our Emergency and Critical Care Appeal: Emergency and critical care appeal – dchcharity.org.uk.
Related audio item: The Sunflower Trail raises another magnificent amount for DCH
