WINSFORD schoolchildren have been growing sunflowers to show their support for Ukrainian refugees.

Oak View Academy’s sunflowers will be planted out in Winsford Town Park on Friday, July 1, between 10am and midday.

Winsford Town Council’s Laura Whitehead enlisted the help of schoolchildren to grow the plants, which are a national symbol of peace in Ukraine. 

During a visit to the Whitby's Lane school, Cllr Whitehead showed class representatives from each year group how to re-pot their sunflowers and talked to them about the significance of the flower in Europe's largest country, and the importance of welcoming its refugees. 

She said: “We had the idea to grow sunflowers because they are a symbol of peace and they have a lot of cultural significance in Ukraine, which is one of the world’s biggest growers. 

“At the time of the invasion, many people in the town got together to support the aid appeal for those affected by the conflict, so we knew there was a lot of good will.  

“The display is a way for the community to show that refugees are welcome here and the people of Ukraine are in our thoughts. 

“We’d really like as many people as possible to join us for the planting to show solidarity with Ukraine and to extend our welcome to refugees.” 

Oak View Academy, which earned its plastic-free award last year, believes children should be part of making the world a better place to be. 

Head of school Fiona Whittaker said: “It is important to give children a voice and to help them not only understand the world around them, but to think about what they can do to make it a better place. 

“From a very early age they learn the benefits of being kind and they quickly discover the personal rewards from simply being polite, considerate and helpful to others.”