CIRENCESTER March Hare Festival will be donating a portion of its sales of ceramic harebell flowers to a child bereavement charity this year.

Winston's Wish supports more than 40,000 young people each year who are deprived of a parent through specialist support include support following death as a result of accident, illness, homicide, suicide and military service.

More than 100 children are bereaved of a parent every single day in the UK. 

The ceramic harebell flowers are handmade to order and have proved popular. A harebell flower costs £25, with £5 going to Winston’s Wish.

An event will be held in Cirencester over the summer at the King’s Head Hotel to display all the ceramic harebell flowers.

The ceramic harebell flowers are available by sending an order, along with your name and a cheque for £25, to Harebells, 38 Somerford Road, Cirencester, GL7 1TW. Cheques should be made payable to Cirencester March Hare Festival.

Florence Beetlestone, festival director for Cirencester March Hare Festival, said: “The Cirencester March Hare Festival is delighted to support Winston’s Wish in this way.

"Having the harebells is a lovely way to remind ourselves of our loved ones and we hope that many people will do so over the next few months.

"The display will give everyone a chance to see what they look like and then they will continue to be on sale until the end of 2016."

Elizabeth Thatcher, community fundraiser for Winston’s Wish in the South West, added: “Florence and her team have been working really hard to put on lots of different hare related activities within Cirencester and across Gloucestershire.

"We are really grateful for them choosing to support Winston’s Wish with a £5 donation from every harebell sold and can’t wait to see them all on display!”

The Winston’s Wish Helpline, staffed by qualified clinical practitioners, provides guidance and information for anyone supporting a bereaved child. 

You can reach the helpline at 08452 030405 from 9am to 5pm on Monday to Friday and 7pm to 9.30pm on Wednesdays.