Thousands of sunflowers go on sale across Ireland today in a bid to raise vital funds for hospice care services.
The pins and flowers are being sold today and tomorrow as part of the annual Hospice Sunflower Days 2006 to raise funds to support patients and their families in need of home help and specialist palliative care.
Eugene Murray, chief executive of the Irish Hospice Foundation, said: "Over 6,000 people use hospice services every year. It is estimated that up to 13,000 patients will require access to hospice and specialist palliative care in 2016."
The Hospice Sunflower pins, which have been sponsored by Tayto, will be sold for €2 by volunteers in towns and villages all over Ireland.
Fundraising is vital to support hospice care services, which are provided free of charge for those who need it at home or in a hospice setting.