Our Patron, Alfie Boe OBE, has launched a special rose in memory of his dad who died from a brain tumour.
The West End and Broadway star was just 23 when he lost his father Alfred to the disease in May 1997.
Yesterday (7th July), Alfie launched the Alfred Robert Boe rose at the RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival, just days after the final night of his 18-date UK tour.
The nation’s favourite tenor, said: “My dad loved his roses, so it’s really special for me to do this in his memory while helping to raise money for Brain Tumour Research, a charity I am very proud to be a Patron of and which is working to find a cure for this devastating disease.”
For every Alfred Robert Boe rose sold, Harkness Roses, which produces the flamboyant flower, will donate £2.50 to Brain Tumour Research.
Alfie launched the special rose with our Community Fundraiser Emma Jolly (pictured together, top), 27, who lost her dad, Mark, to secondary brain tumours in June 2020 when she was 23.
Emma said: “The brain tumours affected Dad the most; it was heartbreaking to see him decline so rapidly before he died. None of my friends have experienced what I’ve been through, so it was nice to speak with Alfie about losing our dads at the same age. It’s an honour to launch this beautiful rose with Alfie and it’s so important that some of the proceeds go towards researching brain tumours because nothing will ever get better unless we understand more about this devastating disease.”
‘Alfred Robert Boe’ is £19.99 for a bare root or £24.99 for a 3-4 litre potted rose. It will be available in the autumn and you can pre-order at https://www.roses.co.uk/
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