A WIMBORNE florist has created a bouquet to help create funds for a hospice. 

Carnival Flowers has created a Bouquet of Hope to raise funds for Poole-based Forest Holme Hospice.

£5 of each bouquet sold will go to the hospice with the co-owner, Sophie Dorling, having close ties to the palliative care charity.

She said: "We've had a charity collection tin in our shop since 2017 and the previous owner who organised the Wimborne Flower Festival gave £1,000 from everything raise to Forest Holme as well. 

"It's a cause that's close to our hearts as a family friend was in the hospice for end of life care and it is close to our hearts because of the previous owner so it felt right to carry it on."

Sophie runs the store with her mum and dad, Keith and Sally Dorling. 

First taking over the store in September 2022 after the previous owner retired, Sophie said business has gone from strength to strength and has recently expanded. 

She said: "We've been in Wimborne as long as I can remember. We knew of the business and it was a lovely business to take on. 

"Everyone has been really supportive and in March last year, we moved down to bigger premises as well, slightly down the road from the previous shop."

The bouquet itself is made from a wide range of flowers including chrysanthemums, carnations and gerberas. 

Sophie hopes it can help raise funds while also brightening someone's day. 

Kirsty Perks, corporate and community fundraiser at Forest Holme Hospice Charity, said: “We are so grateful to Carnival Flowers, who began supporting Forest Holme back in 2017 when they took a Collection Tin for the shop and have subsequently continued to do so in various ways including through the Wimborne Flower Festival in 2022.

"The Bouquet of Hope is such a lovely way to raise money for us and a great initiative where the local community can support the hospice and get something so lovely in return.”

The bouquet is can be purchased either by visiting the store or on its website.