A CHARITY campaigner will spend September sleeping among 1,000 sunflowers in Poole Park to protect them from vandals.

Chris Bullen, who owns the park’s mini railway, will raise funds for the Forest Holme Hospice with his month-long effort.

As reported in the Daily Echo, the moving display of handcrafted flowers represent the lives of those cared for at the hospice.

Mr Bullen said: “My dad died about 18 months ago.

“He was only at Forest Holme for four days, but they were absolutely super - really, really lovely to him.

“I just wanted to find a way to raise some more money for the hospice.”

The plastic sunflowers, each of which are 35cm tall, were handmade by members of Theatre Royal in Plymouth.

The team also contributed to the poppy display at the Tower of London.

Mr Bullen said: “At the end of the month, the flowers will be sold.

“People can already pay upfront, and there was a bit of concern that people wouldn’t want to spend any money if the sunflowers were to be stolen or vandalised.

“So I just said, ‘I’ll look after them for you.’

“I’m here from 7pm until 7am and I’ll be doing it right up until the end of the month.

“I’ve got a job so it’s been very hard.

“I’d give quite a lot at this point just to get into a nice comfy bed.

“It does get very lonely.

“But sometimes you just have to get involved and do these things to help out.”

A fundraising page has been set up online so members of the public can donate to Mr Bullen’s epic sleepout.

“I just wanted to give something back to the hospice,” he said.

“It also gives me a chance to help raise awareness of all the good work that goes on there.

“If people even give their spare change, it all helps.”

Forest Holme Hospice, which is part of the Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, must raise £750,000 each year to continue providing specialist care for patients living with advanced cancer and other life limiting illnesses.

From the beginning of October, the sunflowers will be available to take home for £25 each.

To reserve a flower, visit sunflower-appeal.myshopify.com

To donate to Mr Bullen’s page, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/thesunflowermen