New Year Fundraising boost for MNDA NI as Coleman’s Garden Centre Templepatrick delivers on Rob Burrow MND Rose Pledge..
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.
In the spring of 2025, the team at Coleman’s Garden Centre, Templepatrick pledged to donate £5 to MNDA NI for every Rob Burrow MND rose they sold last year and are now delighted to hand over £500 raised as a result of this pledge.
The amount raised 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 donated £1.50 from every Rob Burrow MND Rose sold to MND 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 last year with this initiative and raising £500 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 go 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: “ We were delighted to support MNDA NI in this way and 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, 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.
Our thanks as always go to our customers in advance who we know from experience 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 those of you who purchased a rose will be able to enjoy it in your garden for many years to come while supporting this exceptionally worthy cause.”
