New Rob Burrow dahlia blooms at Leeds hospital in touching tribute to rugby legend
Rob Burrow honoured with new dahlia grown for patients at Leeds MND centre
A new dahlia blooming at a Leeds hospital is carrying a powerful tribute to one of the city’s most beloved sporting heroes.
The flower has been specially propagated in honour of late Leeds Rhinos legend Rob Burrow CBE by a veteran Yorkshire grower, with plants donated to Leeds Hospitals Charity for the garden at The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease at Seacroft Hospital.
Retired professional dahlia grower Robert Hendley, 79, 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.
Rhinos legend Rob Burrow CBE made it his mission to campaign and fight for Motor Neurone Disease after his devastating diagnosis in 2019.
He sadly lost his battle with MND in June last year at the age of just 41.