Barnardo's Ambassador Rosamund Pike, with two four year olds Isla and Milo, will be promoting the charity’s 150th anniversary ‘Sweet Syrie’ rose at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

‘Sweet Syrie’ was created by specialist rose grower Harkness to raise vital funds for the charity, and honour the work of the founder of Barnardo’s wife, Syrie Barnardo. Syrie worked alongside Thomas Barnardo, helping London’s destitute children, and continued to support the charity after her husband died. She played a crucial role making sure the charity cared for girls as well as boys. With Syrie’s help, Thomas Barnardo was able to open the first home for girls.

Calling the rose ‘Sweet Syrie’ is meaningful, as Syrie means to “bring love and a new start in life” and its long-lasting flowers have a gorgeous perfume.

Barnardo’s Ambassador, Rosamund Pike, says: “A new rose - fragile, hopeful and looking for an enduring place in the world, much like many of the children Barndardo's helps.  Milo and Isla are here with me today to wish The Harkness Sweet Syrie the best possible start in life.   For 150 years, Barnardo's has been there to support the UK's most vulnerable children and help them thrive.  Sara "Syrie" Barnardo played a vital role in making sure its work reached girls as well as boys."   

Barnardo’s chief executive Javed Khan says: “We are delighted Rosamund will be paying tribute to Syrie Barnardo’s philanthropic work. Syrie and Thomas sowed seeds that grew into the charity Barnardo’s is today. This beautiful, strong rose is a fitting tribute to her tireless work, helping children off the streets of London to a sweeter future. Every ‘Sweet Syrie’ bought will us raise money so we will always be there for the UK’s most vulnerable children – then, now and always.”

Harkness Roses Managing Director, Phil Harkness says: “I believe Barnardo’s is an outstanding charity that has proved itself to generations of children. It is a great privilege for us to be associated with Barnardo’s as a part of its 150th anniversary. I hope Sweet Syrie will provide pleasure in many gardens, act as an aide-memoire to gardeners across the country and help keep a living awareness of Barnardo’s for years to come.”

The rose’s beautiful, large blooms change colour with a blend of pink and apricot from summer to autumn -- reflecting the changes Barnardo’s see in the lives of children helped by the charity.

Each of the stunning flowers has up to 25 petals, which in full bloom are 12cm (5 inches) diameter. The plant’s strong stem makes it easy to grow and train, with an average height of 2.5m (8 ft) tall x 2.0m (6 ft) wide.

Sweet Syrie climbing rose combines a long flowering period, sweet perfume and delightful large flowers. The rose is available to buy for £14.99 for delivery after 23 May 2016. A percentage from the sale of each rose will be donated to Barnardo’s.

Rose features:

• Fantastic strong and sweet perfume

• Pink and apricot colour, which changes through the seasons

• Each flower has up to 25 petals and is 12cm (5 inches) across in full bloom

• Repeats bloom in summer and autumn, and flowers for a long time

• Strong stem, which makes it easy to grow and train

• Grows to an average height of 2.5m (8 ft) tall x 2.0m (6 ft) wide

• Developed from a disease resistant breeding line

Visit http://www.roses.co.uk to find out more.