SCHOOL children from Belfast have been learning about the importance of nature after a funeral arranger donated plants for them to care for to mark World Environment Day.
Liz Doherty from James Brown and Sons Funeral Directors sent 31 sunflowers to P6 pupils at Donegall Road PS.
She wanted them to nurture the plants to help them understand the learned about the cycle of life and importance of nature for World Environment Day today.
"As a funeral arranger and wildlife enthusiast, I think nature shows just how beautiful and precious life is," she said.
"I hope the children can also see this after caring for their own sunflowers and watching each stage of their growth over the coming weeks."
Ms Doherty had previously supported school pupils by sending sunflower seeds along with pots and compost.
However, this time she germinated the seedlings herself to help the pupils at the Belfast school witness their full life cycles.
"I began growing the sunflowers on my kitchen worktop but at first none grew," she said.
"So I tried again and all 31 sprouted at the same time, ready for the children to take over.
"It was brilliant to see the sunflowers start off so well and I hope the children will enjoy taking it from here."
The school plans to create a brighter seating space in the grounds of the school by populating it with more plants grown by pupils with the help of the funeral home.
