Rob Burrow told his wife he wanted the groundbreaking for a new therapy centre for motor neurone disease (MND) to proceed on Monday, despite his tragic passing at the age of 41.
In one of his final wishes before the announcement of his death on Sunday, Burrow insisted on the milestone event going ahead. The rugby league player lost his battle against MND, a condition he was diagnosed with in 2019, two years after his retirement.
His struggle captivated and inspired the entire nation, leading him and friend and former team-mate Kevin Sinfield to raise nearly £15million for charities linked to MND. His memory will live on through loved ones and those he moved, as well as the upcoming Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease being built in Seacroft Hospital, Leeds.
In a BBC Breakfast interview, one of Rob’s friends, Phil Daly stated: “We mentioned the groundbreaking, we will have the groundbreaking today, that was Rob’s wishes. We spoke to Lindsey on Friday and that’s what he said. We can’t waste a day and Rob wouldn’t want us to waste a day, we start today.”
He added: “It’s no reflection of the NHS staff who looked after Rob they did a great job but the facilities just aren’t up to scratch. When you’re given that diagnosis in the facilities that are there now, it makes the whole situation so much worse.”
In a statement released last night after his death, his wife and children said: “Rob never accepted that he couldn’t do something. He just found his way of doing it better than anyone else. He will continue to inspire us all every day. In a world full of adversity. We must dare to dream.”
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“This centre will be somewhere where people can get their diagnosis and actually find out the next steps. Rob was at the heart of planning for it there will be family areas there to help children understand in an environment that is comforting.”, reports the Mirror.
Professor Phil Wood, chief executive of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, added: “His commitment to getting this over the line. And of course we should acknowledge the work of Kevin Sinfield, in particular, the seven in seven team, his astonishing fundraising helped our partner charity get to this point and realise this vision.”
“The determination of Rob and Lindsey, who has been absolutely by his side, and is one of our staff members who has continued to look after her own patients throughout during all of this, which I think is absolutely inspiring. It’s a great day for patients and families, not just for Leeds but the wider region. We are very proud of our role in treating this devastating disease.”
Rob’s former teammate at Leeds, Jamie Jones-Buchacan, remarked: “Rob stood out he was brave, he was courageous, he spoke in a world that lacks a lot of courage, a lot of people with anxiety, I think that physical ability was his superpower, and it’s what shone.”
“That was robbed from him, living with MND, but the courage never waned at all, if anything it shone even brighter. The love and impression he’s left on everybody to get up and speak, fight for what’s important, for the MND community. And to do it with his team-mates, not least Kev, has transcended, not just rugby league and sport but the nation. The legacy that he’ll leave is the people that he’s impressed so many important things upon.”
“This journey from December 15, 2019, when I first heard about it, until June 2, 2024 those two dates and what happened in between will never leave him. It charges me every single day not just me, all of us who wear that blue and amber badge to transcend the nation and the rugby league community continues to come together to remember Rob, what he’s done and why he’s done it and what we need to keep doing to make sure it’s a legacy that Rob’s left and a life fulfilled.”
The Prince of Wales said Burrow would be remembered as a “legend” with “a huge heart”.
“Today was the day that I hoped would never come. The world has lost a great man and a wonderful friend to so many. You fought so bravely until the end and became a beacon of hope and inspiration, not only for the MND community but for all those who saw and heard your story,” Sinfield said in an emotional statement.
“You were the toughest and bravest man I have ever met. The last four and a half years you showed the world what living and loving looked like and this was always done with the biggest smile on your face. I will miss you my little mate.”