Rob Burrow death – update: Prince William leads tributes to MND campaigning ‘legend’ and Leeds rugby star

Burrow, who played 493 times for Leeds and was capped 15 times for his country, raised millions of pounds alongside former team-mate Kevin Sinfield for various MND charities and the Rob Burrow Center for MND Appeal in Leeds following his diagnosis in 2019.

The chief executive of the MND Association said Rob Burrow was “very brave” to share his motor neurone disease diagnosis and “give people hope”.

Tanya Curry, who has led the charity since January 2023, told the PA news agency: “I first met Rob in 2023 actually, when I was in the role.

“I was just amazed by his humor, his practical approach to this disease, the twinkle in his eye, the fact that he had a great determination to share his impact with the world, and also fought so hard in his journey.

“He allows people to have hope. But he’s also very realistic about where he’s at and he just opens up about his life and it takes a lot of courage.

“And I know the community is very grateful.”

It is a life-shortening neurological disease that affects the nerves that control movement, so that muscles no longer work, according to the MND Association.

The charity says these nerves – motor neurons – control muscle activities such as walking, talking and swallowing.

But when they are attacked, brain messages gradually stop reaching the muscles, causing weakness and wasting, followed by breathing difficulties.

The MND Association says some people also experience changes in thinking and behaviour.

– What are the early signs of MND?

The NHS says that the symptoms of MND come on gradually, so they may not be noticeable at first.

Early symptoms include weakness in the ankles or legs, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, weak grip, muscle cramps and twitching and weight gain.

Many people will remember Rob Burrow’s battle with MND because of his relationship with his former friend Kevin Sinfield.

The pair have raised more than £15m to fight the disease through a series of attrition challenges since Mr Burrow was diagnosed in 2019.

Mr Sinfield raised the money by running seven marathons in seven days in 2020.

The following year he ran 101 miles in less than 24 hours to home ground Leeds Rhinos.

But the image that many will have is of Mr Sinfield carrying his friend across the finish line at the first Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon in 2023.

Mr Sinfield said: “When one of the best couples is given the diagnosis that Rob got, then you have a choice whether you stand together or not.

“I want to help. I think the world of her. What is clear is the struggle and passion that I know Rob is showing more than ever.

BBC presenter Dan Walker has tonight paid tribute to Burrow. He said: “He was a young man who had a huge impact on the field and even bigger. Rob Burrow taught us so much about how to cope with an MND diagnosis and inspired millions of people with his determination to help others, despite what they were going through.

“She was a class act. Sending all my love to Lindsey and her kids, sister, mom and dad and everyone who will miss her so much.

In September 2021, Burrow and his MND colleague Stephen Darby, a former Bradford footballer, were part of a group that went to Downing Street to ask the Prime Minister to inject more money into finding a cure.

It was a bid that ultimately proved successful when the Government agreed to make £50m available for research.

Rob Burrow’s 15th cap for his country. Tonight, England Rugby issued the reaction.

It read: “The thoughts of everyone at England Rugby are with the family and friends of Rob Burrow, who has sadly passed away aged 41. Rest in peace, Rob.”

More than three million tuned in to watch the award-winning BBC documentary “My Year with MND” and Burrow revealed more intimate details of his battle with the disease in his autobiography “Too Many Reasons to Live”, published in August 2021.

It won second prize at the prestigious William Hill Sports Book of the Year awards at a ceremony in London attended by Burrow himself.

Former boxer Frank Bruno has paid tribute to Burrows.

He said: “Rip Rob Burrow.

“We met many times as ambassadors and campaigners for motor neurone disease. His status as a legend on and off the field is unmatched. Sad day for Sport & MND.