It’s with nice disappointment that the MND Affiliation has learnt of the demise of our patron Rob Burrow CBE, 4 and half years after his analysis of motor neurone illness.
Our ideas at the moment are with Rob’s spouse Lindsey, kids Macy, Maya and Jackson, household and pals and the rugby group.
Rob, who performed at quantity 7 for Leeds Rhinos, lived with this brutal illness within the public eye after selecting to announce his analysis shortly earlier than Christmas 2019. He used each alternative to boost consciousness of the illness, talking publicly, endeavor media interviews and opening his life up in two transferring BBC documentaries My Yr With MND and Rob Burrow: Residing With MND.
He remained a constant and passionate advocate for folks with MND – he turned the primary individual to make use of a communications assist to learn a bedtime story on CBeebies. And he joined the United To Finish MND coalition which efficiently campaigned for a £50million Authorities funding in focused MND analysis.
In doing a lot, he impressed help from so many. On the weekend of the Problem Cup Ultimate in October 2020, followers and supporters donated an unimaginable £70,000 to the MND Affiliation. Simply two months later, Rob’s former captain Kevin Sinfield CBE took on the primary of 4 unimaginable challenges elevating greater than £7 million for MND charities, together with the MND Affiliation. Rob and Kev’s friendship made headline information around the globe. 1000’s of well-wishers, not simply in rugby’s heartland, however throughout the nation donated, took on fundraising challenges and pledged help in tribute to Rob’s bravery.
Rob’s contribution to rugby league and consciousness of MND have been recognised within the 2021 New Yr’s Honours Listing when he was made an MBE and that very same 12 months Rob accepted the position of patron of the MND Affiliation. Rob was subsequently awarded a CBE within the 2024 New Yr’s Honours listing.
It’s testomony to the energy of feeling folks have for Rob that the help in his identify has by no means wavered.
The MND Affiliation is extremely grateful to Rob and his household for serving to to boost consciousness of MND, and funds for the Affiliation, by sharing the small print of their journey and by inspiring so many individuals each throughout the MND group and the broader public.