Sunflower Power
Bring me sunshine
One of our most popular characters is in full bloom, and we couldn’t be happier. The sunflower, with its ability to bring a smile to just about anyone’s face, makes it an uplifting symbol for hidden disabilities, including Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
September is FASD Awareness Month: the perfect time to shine a light on FASD Friends, a charity very close to our hearts.
“This group means so much to our family. We have two children with FASD. They champion our children when nobody else does”. (FASD-SW parent)
“I never had found a friend before I found you” (James, aged 15)
What is FASD?
FASD is a kaleidoscope of neurodevelopmental conditions, including autism and ADHD. It is caused by prenatal alcohol exposure, and many people with FASD are also processing childhood trauma.
Around 75% of children in care or leaving care in the UK have been exposed to alcohol, and sadly, experts expect numbers to soar because of increased drinking during the pandemic.
Caring for a child with FASD is a lifelong challenge that forges deep and rewarding relationships. But it can be exhausting and isolating, supporting complex and overlapping needs where early intervention and support are vital.
FASD Friends
Run by carers and parents, FASD Hub South West and FASD Friends is a charity that gives families a safe and nurturing community. Volunteers work 24 hours a day to provide crisis support and family, carer and young carer days out.
The smallest things can be big wins for those with FASD. FASD Friends celebrates those achievements, building confidence and establishing strong community support networks.
‘We listen without any judgement and are never shocked. We support in times of crisis where parents tell us they cannot do it anymore. We offer life-long support where we tell carers they will never be alone again.’ (Julie, Director of FASD Friends)
Sunflower Power
Since debuting at the end of 2023, our Sunflower Duckling has raised awareness of FASD within our community of nearly 100,000 subscribers, and essential funds for FASD Friends.
20% of each duckling's sale goes directly to the charity. Every penny helps empower FASD Friends and the families they support.
“With the money raised from DCUK we will be able to provide 15 children with brain damage and their families with monthly forest activities sessions for a year. The Sunflower Duckling’s sunny smile can lighten even the hardest of days!” (Julie, Director of FASD Friends)
Sowing Seeds
DCUK knows personally how vital FASD-SW's work is. Two of our team's children were adopted with autism and autism-related challenges resulting from FASD, and have found a community, essential resources and support in FASD Friends.
As one of our most requested designs, we wanted the DCUK Sunflower Duckling not only to be a symbol of optimism but to actively contribute to a great charity that makes lives sunnier.
Handcarved, painted and polished with love, each sunflower duckling was once a neglected piece of bamboo. Now each one is a true individuals and part of a family. What more could we wish for?
Shining brighter together
Our Sunflower Ducklings join a long line of DCUK characters designed to bring sunshine into people’s everyday lives.
DCUK is a brand with a long and proud history of supporting charities devoted to improving everyone's quality of life. Perhaps you have a Heart of Gold Dinky Duck, dedicated to Children With Cancer, a Dinky Nurse inspired by local hospice care, or our recent Doddie Duckling, a collaboration with the Doddie Weir Foundation to help raise funds to tackle MND.
We hope our cheerful Sunflower Duckling makes someone you love smile.
REFERENCES:
Bobbitt, S. A. et al. Caregiver needs and stress in caring for individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Res. Dev. Disabil. 55, 100–113 (2016).
Prof Alan Price Salford University: https://hub.salford.ac.uk/salfordpublichealth/2019/10/14/the-combined-effects-of-prenatal-alcohol-exposure-and-childhood-trauma-findings-from-a-four-year-research-project-at-the-university-of-salford-by-alan-price-phd/
Domeij, H. et al. Experiences of living with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders: a systematic review and synthesis of qualitative data. Dev. Med. Child Neurol. 60, 741–752 (2018).
Popova S, Lange S, Probst C, Gmel G, Rehm J. Estimation of national, regional, and global prevalence of alcohol use during pregnancy and fetal alcohol syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. https://www.sign.ac.uk/media/1092/sign156.pdf