Prince William leads tributes to ‘legend’ MND campaigner and rugby star Rob Burrow

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

The chief executive of the MND Association said Rob Burrow was “immensely brave” to share his diagnosis of motor neurone disease and “allowed people to have 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 came into my role.

“I was just struck by his humour, his practical approach to this disease, the twinkle in his eye, the fact that he had huge determination to share the impact with the world, and to also really fight so hard along his journey.

“He allowed people to have hope. But he was also very realistic with where he was and he just opened his life up and that takes huge courage.

“And I know the community was so grateful for that.”

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

The charity says these nerves – motor neurones – control muscle activity such as walking, speaking and swallowing.

But as they are attacked, the brain’s messages gradually stop reaching muscles, leading to weakness and wasting, followed by breathing difficulties.

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

– What are the early signs of MND?

The NHS says MND symptoms occur gradually so may not be obvious at first.

Early symptoms include weakness in ankles or legs, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing food, a weak grip, muscle cramps and twitches and weight loss.

Many people will remember Rob Burrow’s battle with MND for his strong relationship with ex-team mate Kevin Sinfield.

The pair have raised over £15m to combat the disease through a series of attritional challenges since Mr Burrow was diagnosed in 2019.

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

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

But the image which will stick with many is Mr Sinfield carrying his friend across the finishing line at the first Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon in 2023.

Mr Sinfield said: “When one of your best mates is given the diagnosis Rob got, then you have a choice whether you stand shoulder to shoulder or not.

“I wanted to help. I think the world of him. What’s become clear is the fight and spirit I knew Rob had is shown more than ever.”

BBC presenter Dan Walker has tonight paid tribute to Burrow. He said: “He was the little fella who made a massive impact on the pitch and an even bigger one off it. Rob Burrow taught us so much in the way he dealt with his MND diagnosis and inspired millions with his continued determination to help others, despite what he was going through himself.

“He was a class act. Sending all my love to Lindsey and their kids, his sisters, his mum and dad and all those who will miss him so much The fight goes on.”

In September 2021, Burrow and fellow MND sufferer Stephen Darby, the former Bradford footballer, were part of a group which went to Downing Street to urge the Prime Minister to inject more cash into finding a cure.

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

Rob Burrow was capped 15 times for his country. Tonight, England Rugby issued its reaction.

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

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

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