Volunteer, 89, helps plant roses at new Shrewsbury community

Brian Harper, 89, helped David Wilson Homes and Benchmark Grounds Maintenance plant roses at the Rose Place development in Shrewsbury, and the builder donated £500 to Lingen Davies Cancer Support to aid its Sunflower Appeal.

Brian Harper, 89, was invited by David Wilson Homes to help place two rose plants at the Rose Place development on Welshpool Road in Shrewsbury. He worked with the housebuilder's team and Benchmark Grounds Maintenance to plant the roses beside a seating area by the balancing pond. Following the event, David Wilson Homes donated £500 to Lingen Davies Cancer Support. Brian is a long-standing volunteer for Lingen Davies and was named Volunteer of the Year at the Third Sector Awards last year. Key facts: - Brian Harper, aged 89, was invited to plant roses at the Rose Place community on Welshpool Road in Shrewsbury. - He worked alongside David Wilson Homes' team and Benchmark Grounds Maintenance to place the plants near a seating area by the balancing pond. - David Wilson Homes donated £500 to Lingen Davies Cancer Support after the planting event. - The donation is intended for the charity's Sunflower Appeal to support a planned Lingen Davies Cancer Centre at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford, which is reported to be expected to open in 2029. - Brian was named Volunteer of the Year at the Third Sector Awards and has volunteered for Lingen Davies in a variety of roles, after nearly 50 years of service with the Royal Army Medical Corps, rising to the rank of Major. Summary: The rose planting added a small commemorative feature to the new housing development and recognised long-term local volunteering. The donation is reported to support the Sunflower Appeal for a planned cancer centre at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford, expected to open in 2029 and to increase regional chemotherapy capacity.