HUNDREDS of people braced the wet weather to lay bright yellow sunflowers as poignant symbols of remembrance at an event which marked the end of a hospice fundraising appeal.

Around 500 sunflowers were planted by people remembering lost loved ones and went on display at St Michael’s Hospice’s annual Sunflower Fete.

Over 400 people attended the event, despite the wet weather, in the grounds of the hospice, in Aldermaston Road on Sunday.

The event began with a blessing led by hospice chaplain Liz Lang before people could dedicate a sunflower to a lost loved one and browse a number of stalls in the hospice grounds.

The Sunflower Fete provided the perfect opportunity for people to learn more about the work of the hospice with members of the hospice at home, in-patient, occupational therapist and day patient services, providing information on the work they do to support patients.

In addition, a barbecue, tombola and a raffle, which included the chance to win an Audi TT for the weekend courtesy of Basingstoke Audi, kept the crowds entertained.

Chris Griffiths, marketing and events manager at the hospice, told The Gazette: “It is very moving when you see them [sunflowers] all and everyone was there for the same reason, even in the wind and rain.

“It is the culmination of our Sunflower Appeal. It was a fantastic success in the end despite the weather, and people came out in force.”

As well as the popular Sunflower Fete, hundreds of people across Basingstoke marked “Yellow Day” on May 22 with a series of events at The Malls.

During the day, staff from St Michael’s Hospice ran a teddy tombola, spoke to people about the services the hospice offers and Tilbikram Sambahangphe (ok), a security officer working at The Malls, ran a whole marathon on a treadmill in the middle of the centre to raise funds for the appeal.

Over £1,200 was raised on the day.

Helena Maskell, senior fundraising manager at the hospice, added: “Yellow Day is about raising awareness of St Michael’s Hospice and encouraging more people to fundraise for us with a yellow theme.

"The campaign has been going for three years and seems to be backed by the community.”

The hospice hopes to raise £15,000 from the Sunflower Appeal and Fete.

St Michael’s Hospice cares for people with life-limiting illnesses through its in-patient unit, and offers a hospice at home service as well as a range of out-patient services.

Care is provided free of charge and the hospice needs to raise £2.4 million a year to be able to provide services.