Leading garden center retailer Homebase and Harkness Roses were joined by Macmillan ambassador and classical crossover singer Camilla Kerslake, to launch a brand new variety of rose in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

The ‘I Am Macmillan’ rose will be available to buy online from September 2015 and in Homebase stores from April 2016.  £1 from every sale will be donated towards funding hours of care from Macmillan nurses, to support people affected by cancer, and their families and loved ones too.

Lynda Thomas, Chief Executive of Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “It’s a great honour to have a completely new variety of rose dedicated to funding the wonderful support provided by Macmillan nurses. We are absolutely thrilled our partners Homebase and one of the UK’s leading rose growers are helping us in our mission to make sure no one faces cancer alone.”

This year, also in aid of the charity, Homebase has introduced the ‘Helping Hands’ Patio Rose to its 2015 Chelsea Collection; a selection of plants and flowers that allow customers to take home their own little bit of the Homebase Urban Retreat Garden.

Jane Templar, Buying Manager Garden Plants at Homebase, said: “The ‘Helping Hands’ Patio Rose is slightly scented with beautiful, small delicate creamy peach blooms which flower from early June to the first frosts. It was bred and grown in the UK, benefits from great disease resistance and is a hardy plant which flowers year after year.”