TWO young brothers are paying tribute to their grandfather by helping raise cash for charity.
Sam and Ben Crompton, of Oakes, are taking part in the Examiner's Sky High Sunflower Campaign in aid of the Kirkwood Hospice, Dalton.
Sam, eight, and Ben, six, decided to take part in this year's event in memory of their grandad Robert Wood, of Birchencliffe, who died in September 2001. His wife, Jean, died nine weeks later.
Mr Wood's daughter Christine, who is Sam and Ben's mum, said: "Dad died from cancer of the oesophagus in 2001. He died at the hospice and I suggested to the boys it would be nice to raise money to thank the hospice for taking such good care of him."
Sam attends Reinwood Junior School and Ben attends Reinwood Infant and Nursery School, Oakes. They live in Mountbatten Gardens but are growing their sunflowers at their dad's parents' home in Holywell Green.
The plants have already been put into larger pots and are now over a metre high. The brothers are among more than 100 youngsters taking part.
Judging will start in August. Prizes will be given by Cobwood Trophies at Milnsbridge and Armitage's Garden Centres to the three youngsters with the tallest sunflowers.
Last year's winner, Hannah Mitchell, of Golcar, grew a 240cm sunflower - nearly 8ft - and raised £72 for the hospice.
