CARNIVAL clubs and communities have combined to provide ‘overwhelming’ support for the woman who was tragically injured in the accident at Chard Carnival.

A gofundme page which was set up by one of her family members has seen its total reach more than double the target and a sea of fundraising sunflower brooches has swept across the county.

The public shows of support started with people setting their Facebook profile pictures to a sunflower with ‘Love’ written in the middle.

This inspired Chard business owner Susie Evans to sell sunflower brooches to raise money for the family.

Susie, from Just Sew Sentimental, said: “It has been an incredible few days.

“We had a request from one of our regular customers for a few sunflowers pins. We thought even if we only sell 50 that it would be a nice thing to do. We are now heading towards 500.

“Just looking at the pictures of Taunton Carnival and seeing how many people were wearing them was amazing.

“We have got Bridgwater Carnival coming up which is huge, and we have had requests for larger satin ones to go on the carts.

“Last week we shut everything else off and just did sunflowers.

“We have met a couple of members of the family and had a message off one of the daughters.

“Just seeing the community coming together has been overwhelming – even though I’m not directly affected.

“Thank you to the support we have had since this started. It has been incredible.”

Aiyesha Nolan, whose son’s grandmother was involved in the accident and who set up the gofundme page, said she is “quite lost for words”.

She said: “Everyone has been so kind and generous and I just want to say thank you to Just Sew Sentimental for making the lovely sunflower brooches.

“Half of the earnings will be going into the gofundme, so pop down the shop and grab yourself a brooch, show your support. Thank you massively to everyone.”

The fundraising appeal had reached £2,740 when the News went to print.

Just Sew Sentimental has raised around £440 so far.

To get your brooch, you can contact the shop on Facebook which can arrange for them to be posted.