Rugby league veteran Rob Burrow, whose highly publicised fight with motor neurone disease (MND) has substantially increased awareness of the disorder, passed away this weekend. His death triggered an outpouring of grief for the family and friends of the legendary player.
Rugby league veteran Rob Burrow, whose highly publicised fight with motor neurone disease (MND) has substantially increased awareness of the disorder, passed away this weekend. His death triggered an outpouring of grief for the family and friends of the legendary player.
Together with former teammate Kevin Sinfield, the 41-year-old father of three donated millions of pounds for MND charities over his lifetime through fundraising.
However, it now appears that Burrow’s extraordinary life and hardships will leave a longer-lasting impact in Leeds, the city in which he rose to fame, and elsewhere, not least for those people who suffer with the same life-limiting illness.
The specialty centre at Seacroft Hospital in Leeds that bears his name and was the main focus of Burrow and Sinfield’s fundraising efforts is likely to be his most lasting legacy.
The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease will be built for MND patients, their families, and carers. Prior to Burrow’s passing, the two had raised £5.8 million of the £6.8 million necessary for its completion.
Less than a day after Burrow’s passing, work on constructing the centre was scheduled to start on Monday, and the groundbreaking ceremony proceeded according to schedule.
“The biggest legacy would be finding a cure for motor neuron disease,” stated Leeds City Council leader James Lewis.The moment that the ground was broken on was quite poignant.
“It was really poignant timing that the ground was broken on The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease at Seacroft Hospital on Monday.”
Mr. Lewis stated that it was hard to come up with two individuals who had a more “positive impact” on Leeds in the recent past than Burrow and Sinfield.
He continued, saying they’d both had a “galvanising” effect.
“The other thing as well is the Rob Burrow Marathon, which has brought people together to raise money for MND,” said Lewis.
“Whenever there’s a marathon in Leeds, it will be really associated with Rob Burrow.”
Leave a Reply