Sunflower event to fundraise for Join Our Boys this Sunday

A Sunflower Day fundraiser will be held this Sunday in aid of ‘Join Our Boys’ brothers George and Isaac Naughton.

Taking place in Coolamber House and Gardens in Lismacaffrey, Westmeath (Eircode: N91 AX25), from 11am to 4pm, the event is being hosted by owner and gardener Anne Marie Durkin.

On the day, visitors will be able to wander through the walled garden and tea room at the property. The sunflower field will be open for people to pick as many flowers as they wish, with all donations going directly to Join Our Boys.

"We have this beautiful field of sunflowers at the front of the house. It is usually used for bird coverage, but I plant the sunflowers to make it prettier," Anne Marie said.

"This is my second year using the field for a fundraiser, and I decided to donate the sunflowers to Join Our Boys this year."

She explained that the fundraiser came about after she met the two boys’ parents Paula Kerr Naughton and Padraic Naughton.

"I run an eight-month gardening course every year, and Padraic was taking part. As we all got to know him, we learned about the terrible illness the boys are living with, and I felt compelled to do something to help."

Speaking about the gardening course at Coolamber House and Gardens, Paula said it has helped Padraic to manage his grief following the loss of their first-born son, Archie to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) in 2022.

"It was a gift I gave to Padraic for Christmas," Paula said. "He will never recover from the grief, but it has really helped him."

The Naughton family has been advocating for improved healthcare access for their sons George and his twin brother Isaac since 2012, when they were diagnosed with DMD, a progressive neuromuscular disease that destroys muscle tissue and currently has no cure.

The Naughton family tragically lost their eldest son, Archie (16) to the disease in 2022.

To donate directly to Join Our Boys, go to: joinourboys.org/donate/