Rob Burrow MBE is a former professional rugby player whose glittering career saw him represent England and Leeds Rhinos for 16 years.
Rob’s career saw him win eight Super League championships, two Challenge Cups, the Harry Sunderland Trophy and he was named as a member of the Super League Dream Team on three occasions.
In 2019, Rob announced he had been diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease (MND) – a neurodegenerative disease. He died in 2024.
Kevin Sinfield OBE is a former team mate of Rob’s, with the pair being highly regarded for their careers at Leeds Rhinos.
Having also represented England, he and Rob shared many memories playing at an elite level together.
In recent years, Kevin has dedicated his time to undertaking remarkable sporting challenges in order to raise funds to support his friend, Rob. He has also worked tirelessly to raise awareness about MND research.
His fundraising journey began in 2020, when he said he was ‘just going for a run’ with a friend to support charities and has gone from strength to strength since.
MND is a condition that affects the brain and the nerves. It results in the progressive loss of motor neurons that control voluntary muscles and gets worse over time.
It can significantly shorten life expectancy and can dramatically impact someone’s life.
It can affect adults of all ages. Typically, it mainly affects people in their 60s and 70s, but adults of all ages can be diagnosed.
It’s caused by cells in the brain and nerves called motor neurones. These cells gradually stop working over time. It is not known why this happens.
At the moment, there is no cure for MND. There are, however, treatments to try and reduce the impact it has on a person’s daily life.
Rob announced he had been diagnosed with MND in 2019, when he was just 37.
“I expected to be told I had something that could be treated and move on,” Rob told the BBC at the time of his diagnosis.
“It was a bit of a shock when the doctor told me I had something which has no cure.
“Apart from my voice and a few bits and bobs, I feel normal and good to go.”
Since Rob’s diagnosis he has maintained a positive outlook and has worked to raise awareness and funds for MND research.
Supported by the The Leeds Players Association, Rob, Kevin and Rob’s wife Lindsey Burrow have fundraised for years to help support the cause.
Because of his fundraising efforts and achievements in raising awareness for MND, Rob was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2021 New Years Honours List for his services to Rugby League and the motor neurone disease community.
Raising more than £100,000 so far, the Leeds Players Association have supported Rob by raising funds.
Kevin Sinfield, Leanne Flynn, Phil Daly and Sian Jones have worked together to offer invaluable support to Rob and his young family.
Writing on their fundraiser, they said: “The Leeds Players Association are supporting Rob and his family through this Go Fund Me account with all proceeds initially going to the fund to support Rob with dealing with his diagnosis and his wife and three young children.”
As part of the Leeds Hospital Charity, The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease will be a state-of-the-art MND care centre for those who need it.
It will aim to house all MND services housed under one roof for the first time and will offer families in the community much-needed support.
While other MND research and treatment centres exist, The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease will be the first to have its design led by the holistic needs of the patient and their family, creating a supportive environment that complements the expert team providing the care.
People can donate to this appeal to help make the centre a reality.
Taking place in Rob’s hometown, the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon is an event held in support of the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Appeal as well as the MND Association.
It was the first marathon to take place in Leeds in 20 years and was launched to help raise awareness about MND and fund for research.
This year’s events saw thousands of runners take part, including Kevin Sinfield.
When approaching the finish, Kevin carried his friend Rob over the line in an emotional tribute. Kevin had pushed his former team-mate around the course in a specially adapted wheelchair.
The marathon aimed to raise funds for The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease, Appeal and the Leeds Hospitals Charity, as well as a host of other causes.
Kevin’s fundraising efforts over the years have been remarkable, having raised more than £8 million for MND charities.
He has been a prominent voice in raising awareness about the disease and has supported his close friend for years.
As well as taking part in the The Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, Kevin has taken on several other charitable ventures.
This included running seven back-to-back ultra marathons in November and a 101-mile run in 24 hours.
He also took on seven ultra marathons over seven days, with an aim of raising £777,777. This incredible feat was inspired by Rob playing the number 7.
You can help to support Rob Burrow and MND causes by donating to the Rob Burrow Fund on GoFundMe.
Money goes towards supporting Rob’s wife and children as well as raising awareness.