Today (Saturday January 27) is the final day locals can purchase sunflowers being sold as part of a family-run fundraiser to support the Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter Trust.

Fiona Turner and her family have spent the last two weeks picking the sunflowers on their property and selling them at stalls around the Upper Clutha.

The sunflowers were planted as a rotational crop and initially there was “no intention of selling them,” Fiona said.

It was after Fiona’s son Angus was transferred to hospital via the helicopter service that they decided to use the sunflowers to support the service that had helped their family.

Fiona said the experience running the fundraiser had been “really positive”.

The family set up stalls at Mitre 10, the local supermarket and the Wānaka Lakes Health Centre.

Angus at a stall outside Mitre 10.

“Lots of people have come up to us and shared their stories of how the helicopter service helped them,” Fiona said.

“People really understand the need for the service in the area.”

The last stall will be held at Mitre 10 today as the picking season is coming to an end.

Fiona will share the final amount raised at a meeting with the Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter Trust next week.

“We are very grateful to Angus and his family for the huge effort they have put into the sunflower project to give back to the service,” trust chair Martin Dippie said.

“Community support is critical to maintaining the essential Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter Service that responds 24/7 to seriously unwell patients across the geographically challenging southern region.”

PHOTOS: Supplied