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Fundraising boost for MNDA NI as Coleman’s Garden Centre Templepatrick makes Rob Burrow MND Rose Pledge

 

Coleman’s Garden Centre in Templepatrick has pledged its support to the Motor Neurone Disease Association Northern Ireland with a £5 donation on every rose sold in the name of rugby player and MND legend Rob Burrow.

Rugby player Rob Burrow was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in December 2019 aged just 37 and passed away in June 2024. Following his diagnosis, Rob and his family became campaigners and fundraisers for the Motor Neurone Disease Association, giving the public an insight into the disease’s progression and highlighting the need for a cure. Last year his friend, Kevin Sinfield, visited Belfast as part of an ultramarathon challenge raising money for MND charities in Rob’s memory.

Renowned rose growers Harkness Roses honoured Rob by creating a rose in his name in 2023, blooming with a soft yellow flower….The Rob Burrow MND Rose is strong, healthy, reliable, and utterly charming. As the buds form, they are tinged with light green, transforming into blooms of soft yellow. The centre petals are golden amber, with an occasional pink hue.

Now, the team at Coleman’s Garden Centre Templepatrick have pledged to donate £5 to MNDA NI for every Rob Burrow MND rose they sell this season. This amount will go directly to the Northern Ireland branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association and provide support for people living in Northern Ireland with MND and their families, while at the same time Harkness Roses themselves will be giving £1.50 from every Rob Burrow MND Rose sold to MNDA UK.

Chair of the MNDA Northern Ireland branch Stephen Thompson said: “Rob Burrow bravely went public with his MND diagnosis and showed the world how cruel this disease can be. He was an inspiration for people living with MND and he is sorely missed in our community. This rose is a beautiful testament to Rob and his legacy, and we are so grateful to Richard Fry, Director Coleman’s Garden Centre in Templepatrick and the team for their support with this initiative pledging a generous donation for our local branch. Over 100 people are living with MND in Northern Ireland and our aim is to ensure every person and their family have access to the support they need. Our thanks goes to Coleman’s Garden Centre Templepatrick and everyone that adds a Rob Burrow rose to their garden this spring, raising vital funds for MNDA NI in the process.”

Coleman’s Garden Centre Director, Richard Fry  commented: “Rob Burrow was an inspiration to everyone across the UK as he raised the awareness of MND and this disease  to an extraordinary level with his diagnosis and  his legacy still lives on across the rugby  family of union and league and as a passionate rugby fan myself  the way the two rugby codes have come together has been nothing short of amazing and heartwarming.

The Rob Burrow MND rose will be on sale in our Garden Centre at Templepatrick and also at Garden Show Ireland at the Castle Grounds, Antrim from 13th to 15th June where we will be exhibiting on our stand and you can meet ‘Dave The Plantman’ who can tell everyone all about this spectacular rose and many more that were on display recently at Chelsea.

Our thanks as always go to our customers in advance who we know from experience will never fail to support a very worthwhile charity like MND. Their generosity never surprises us as they always dig deep and their continued support is always appreciated by all the team here in Templepatrick.  The rose itself is stunning and spectacular so you have will have a rose to enjoy in your garden for many years to come while supporting this exceptionally worthy cause… my only word of advice would be .. be quick to snap one up as we know how well these roses will sell and thanks once again.”