Rugby League legend Rob Burrow CBE continues to inspire awareness for the motor neurone disease (MND) community as we approach the first anniversary of his passing on 2nd June 2024.
Burrow, who was diagnosed with MND in December 2019, played his entire career at Leeds Rhinos during an unprecedented period of success for the club. However, after his diagnosis his commitment to shine a light on the disease made him a household name across the country.
The third and final documentary he helped produce with BBC Breakfast has now been nominated for a National TV award in the Authored Documentary category with the public able to continue Burrow’s legacy by voting to ensure the documentary makes the final short list for the televised final. Voting closes at 11pm on Friday 30th May and is free for the public to vote here.
As well as the latest award nomination, Burrow’s former club Leeds Rhinos will host their annual MND Awareness game this Saturday at AMT Headingley against local rivals Wakefield Trinity, kick off 4.30pm, live on BBC Two. Wakefield are coached by Daryl Powell, who gave Burrow his full debut as a teenager back in 2001.
Leeds Rhinos will wear a special one off fundraising kit for the game which features an iconic image of Burrow from his playing days made up of the names of the 196 players that Rob played with for club and representative sides along with the names his three children and wife Lindsey. Last year, the MND Awareness shirt raised over £80,000 to help support the Leeds Hospitals Charity’s appeal to build the Rob Burrow Centre for MND. In 2025, the donation will be made the MND Association, who Burrow was a patron of.
Nearly 40 of Burrow’s former team mates will be at the game on Saturday along with Rob’s parents Geoff and Irene Burrow, who will be joined by Rob’s sisters Claire and Joanne to present the matchball ahead of the game. There will also be a minutes applause before kick off to pay tribute to Burrow and the legacy he has left to the MND community.
