A rose in support of MND Scotland launches at RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival 

A rose in memory of Richard Falconer, who sadly died in March 2022 of motor neuron disease (MND), has launched at RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival. 

Richard’s sister, Gill Crawford, was keen to fundraise for the charity and worked with Blue Diamond Garden Centres to select a rose that reflected Richard’s enjoyment of watching the sunsets on his beloved island of Orkney. 

Rosa Sunset Isle is now available to buy online.  

Gill Crawford, Richard’s sister said: “A rose feels like a truly poignant way to remember a wonderful wee brother, and help raise awareness and much needed funding for MND, a cruel disease for which as yet there is no cure. 

“Richard himself was taking part in clinical research trials in the hope that one day a cure will be discovered.   

“Richard was given the heartbreaking diagnosis in summer 2020 but very sadly died in March 2022. All our family were devastated, he was so loved and missed beyond measure. As his big sister I felt an overwhelming need to do something in his memory. 

“MND Scotland is the only charity in Scotland offering support to those living with the condition, so many people doing amazing things to raise awareness and funds into research. 

“Hopefully Richard’s beautiful rose will make a difference too.” 

Julie Macdonald, Head of Fundraising for MND Scotland, said: “The innovative ways that our supporters choose to raise money for MND Scotland never cease to amaze me. The Sunset Isle rose is a beautiful and fitting tribute to Gill’s brother Richard, and we would like to thank Gill and her family for their fundraising efforts to make time count for people living with MND in Scotland, and to Blue Diamond for creating this opportunity.” 

Richard and Gill’s brother, Stuart Falconer, also fundraised for MND Scotland in summer 2022 with a 400-mile road trip around Scotland, playing forty ‘Fast4’ tennis matches at forty different clubs along the way. 

Launched by Blue Diamond Garden Centres on behalf of the charity, rosa Sunset Isle produces numerous layered petals of a pale pink shade against glossy green foliage. 10% of the retail sales from every Sunset Isle rose sold will be donated by Blue Diamond Garden Centres to MND Scotland. 

For more information and to buy the Sunset Isle rose, please visit here.