St Margaret's Hospice Care (St Margaret's) is inviting residents from Shepton Mallet, their families and friends, to remember their loved ones at the third annual Sunflower Stroll event on Sunday 24 September.

Held in the serene surroundings of Longrun Meadow in Taunton and leading back to the hospice in Bishop's Hull, this event has become a cherished occasion.

Starting from a ticket price of £5, participants receive a sunflower dedication marker for the hospice garden and a dedication bib to wear during the stroll.

A ticket upgrade offers participants a prosecco or cream tea in the hospice meadow following the walk.

The funds raised during the Sunflower Stroll will support the hospice's Sunflower Centre Day Hospice, contributing to the care of people across Somerset and surrounding areas.

The Sunflower Centre Day Hospice provides essential support and advice to patients with life-limiting illnesses who live at home but require the support offered by St Margaret's.

It offers patients an opportunity to interact with others in similar situations and participate in activities that promote their confidence and independence.

Louise Comely, a patient referred to St Margaret's after her second cancer diagnosis, shares her personal experience with the Sunflower Centre team.

The Sunflower Centre team helped her to create individual, hand-painted memory boxes for her to leave for her family after her death to help them to remember the good times they spent together and offer them some comfort. Louise said crafting the boxes gave her a focus and a purpose and it made her happy to create a legacy for her children.

"The staff and volunteers in the Sunflower Centre are like a ray of light, they brighten up my Monday mornings," Louise said. "I love to make artwork so creating memory boxes has been really therapeutic for me. Each one takes on its own shape as you do it and they are all different. I'm planning to fill each one with photos, trinkets and personal letters and cards. It's difficult to put on paper how much someone means to you but it's so important. I don't know what I'd do without St Margaret's. I'd just be stuck at home on my own. They are such a big support to me."

Teresa Connah, Lead Nurse at the Sunflower Centre Day Hospice in Taunton, added: "The Sunflower Centre team made a huge difference to Louise. She was very emotional when she started her memory box project, but it gave her back a focus and purpose back with time, guidance, and support of a volunteer on a one-to-one basis. We empower patients to take back control of their illness, to regain their loss of confidence and enable them to feel that they are supported throughout the rest of their journey. It is a pleasure to provide this support to Louise as well as hundreds of patients across Somerset."

Supporting the Sunflower Stroll and raising just £50 could enable more patients like Louise to spend a day at the Sunflower Centre Day Hospice. Every donation counts and makes a big difference.

Book your place for this year's Sunflower Stroll on the website and walk in memory of a loved one while supporting a noble cause.