A Barnsley dahlia grower has propagated a new variety of dahlias named in honour of the late rugby league legend, Rob Burrow CBE.
79-year-old Robert Hendley is a retired professional dahlia grower who has donated some of the Rob Burrow dahlias to Leeds Hospitals Charity for the garden at The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease at Seacroft Hospital.
Robert has been developing new varieties of dahlia for many years, which are registered with the Royal Horticultural Society. He has raised more than £8,000 for charities by naming them after different people. He has exhibited his dahlias at hundreds of major flower shows over the years winning in excess of 200 Gold and Large Gold medals along with numerous trophies.
Robert said: “I’ve always been a fan of Rob and enjoyed watching him tear apart defences over the years at Leeds Rhinos, but I also have a personal connection to MND. When I used to be an adventure training instructor in the forces back in the 1980s, I worked alongside my friend Martin. He was enthusiastic and full of life, but sadly he died after being diagnosed with MND in his late twenties.
“He had a young son just like Rob and it was heartbreaking to watch him lose his ability to do anything for himself. Back then no one had heard of MND or knew much about it, but now, thanks to Rob raising awareness, people know about the condition.”
The dahlias are now in bloom for patients, families, and colleagues at Seacroft to enjoy.
For anyone affected by MND in the Leeds and surrounding area, a closed Facebook group is available to join.