1000’s of mourners have gathered to pay tribute to rugby league star and motor neurone illness campaigner Rob Burrow forward of his funeral.

The previous Leeds Rhinos star and England worldwide died on 2 June on the age of 41 after a prolonged battle with the sickness.

His personal funeral service is being held at Pontefract Crematorium, with 7 July chosen to recognise the shirt quantity he wore all through his rugby league profession.

Supporters got here out in rugby equipment, many with Burrow’s identify and a 7 on the again, to applaud because the funeral cortege made its option to the service.

Yellow and white flowers – the colors of Leeds Rhinos – had been thrown onto the windscreen of the hearse.

Amongst mourners gathering on the crematorium was his finest good friend and former teammate Kevin Sinfield, with whom he raised greater than £15m for motor neurone illness (MND) charities, following his analysis.  

Bob Woodhead, who coached Burrow as a toddler described him as a “eager, enthusiastic and well mannered” younger man.

“He was a privilege to educate, to be sincere,” Mr Woodhead informed the BBC.

“All I needed to do was to assist him progress.

“Regardless of everybody through the years saying he was too small, I simply forged my thoughts again to (rugby league legend) Roger Millward. Everybody stated he was too small and look what he turned over his profession.”

In her first interview since his demise,  Burrow’s spouse Lindsey informed BBC Breakfast final month: “He was an inspiration to so many. He was the face of the MND neighborhood.

“Regardless of the grief and the unhappiness, we’ve got a lot to be grateful for, for having him in our lives and making the world a greater place to be.

“I’m proud to have been his spouse for 17 and a half years and to have three lovely youngsters with Rob. I’ll do all the things I can to verify they’re introduced up as Rob would need them to be – to be sort and caring and to understand the issues in life. Rob was very very like that – very right down to earth, by no means had an ego, such a stunning sort man.”

The Motor Neurone Illness Affiliation paid tribute to the rugby star forward of the funeral.

“At the moment, on Rob Burrow Day and the day of Rob’s funeral, we need to pay tribute to all he has finished for the MND Affiliation and the MND neighborhood.” the charity wrote on X.

“We will probably be eternally grateful. Thanks Rob.”

Burrow spent his total profession with Leeds Rhinos and helped them win eight Tremendous League titles.

He retired in 2017 however two years later it was revealed he had been recognized with MND.

Burrow was made an MBE within the 2021 New Yr Honours for his providers to rugby league and the MND neighborhood and made a CBE within the New Yr Honours in 2024.