Raising money for charity while the sunflowers shine

Scott Evans and Kerry McCorry, South Eyre Sunflowers. Image: Andrea Kewish Photography.

An Oxford couple has raised over $30,000 for a national charity and their local community by opening up their sunflower field to the public over the past two weeks.

Kerry McCorry and Scott Evans from South Eyre Sunflowers planted the 3 hectare paddock, specifically to raise money for charity — inspired by an interview McCorry heard on The Rock radio station with Gumboot Friday’s Mike King.

“That video broke my heart. I had to find a way to help Mike … He’s really grateful for the support,” McCorry said.

Last year the couple raised well over $15,000 for charity from the pick-your-own sunflower season, and have been overwhelmed by the public’s response already this season by doubling that amount in just two weeks.

“The flowers do a lot of the marketing themselves. They really are amazing and they make people happy. The sharing from photographers and visitors alike has helped spread the word hugely,” she said.

The couple have a blended family of seven children and live on the property, Evans’ family farm, where he is a 50/50 sharemilker.

Not only has the couple earmarked $15,000 for Mike King’s Gumboot Friday initiative, but the rest is going back to the Oxford community — including the Community Trust, St John, their local fire department, Oxford Area School supporting Ag Club, the local rugby club, and the Oxford Pump Track Project.

“My community means a lot to me. My kids have grown up here. My daughter is now Year 13 at Oxford Area School and Scott’s son is in Year 5, and I play rugby for Oxford Rugby Club as does Scott and his sons. This community means a lot to us,” McCorry said.

“Our first responders are so important in our community, too. That’s why I really like to share these funds around to help as many as possible,” she said.

A family enjoying their photography session with Andrea Kewish Photography.

The couple credit local businesses for their support of the fundraiser.

“The Good Oil Company donated the sunflower seeds and Chapman Agriculture put them in the ground. Alan Fraser Grain and Seed supported us with looking after the crop, and Stubbs Ground Spreading and Oxford Agricultural Spraying Ltd all offered their services free of charge,” she said.

And it is not just McCorry and Evans contributing their talents to this cause. A local Oxford photographer Andrea Kewish donated well over $1000 from her sunflower photography sessions to Gumboot Friday too.

Kewish said, “When I saw what Kerry did last year and how the money she raised would have helped the community so much I just knew I had to be a part of this. I’m so proud I was able to raise as much as I did for them especially as I am someone who suffers from mental illness myself and I wanted to be able to do something small to be able to help others.”

“Kerry is one of those people who keeps the community chugging along. I’ve never met someone who can do such a selfless act and donate so much time, energy and money to charity and to this cause. I can’t wait to see how the future goes for all of this and all of her hard work she’s put in so far,” she said.

The South Eyre Sunflowers 2024 season closes at 9pm this Sunday, 11 February.

Click here to hear The Rock radio interview that inspired McCorry to raise money for Gumboot Friday.

Oxford photographer Andrea Kewish donated over $1000 from her sunflower photography sessions to Gumboot Friday.