Fundraiser for Leeds Rob Burrow Centre for MND hits target after three years

  • Lisa Adlam reports on how the milestone was reached

A campaign to build a specialist motor neurone disease (MND) centre in memory of rugby league legend Rob Burrow has hit its £6.8million target after three years of fundraising.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust announced plans in 2021 to create a flagship centre to care for MND patients.

It came after the former Leeds Rhinos player was diagnosed with the incurable neurological disease.

Construction work started in June this year, shortly after Burrow's death at the age of 41.

On Tuesday, campaigners and Burrow's family revealed the full amount needed to build the centre had been raised.

Speaking at the centre's site in Seacroft, Leeds, his father Geoff said: "Who would have believed in three years that the kindness of so many people throughout the country would have raised this in Rob's name?

"A lot of people didn't believe it would happen. It has happened."

His mother Irene added: "We cannot believe it. We are so proud and I'm sure Rob is here today looking down."

Kevin Sinfield carries Rob Burrow at the end of the 2023 Marathon in Leeds Credit: PA

Burrow and his family embarked on a campaign to raise awareness and money for MND charities after he was diagnosed in 2019.

His former teammate, Kevin Sinfield, played a major role in raising millions of pounds through a series of endurance feats.

His latest challenge - to run seven ultra marathons in seven days across seven UK regions - finished at the weekend having raised more than £1.2million.

To mark reaching the £6.8million target, MND patients, families, clinicians and fundraisers were invited to sign the timber frame of the new centre.

Craige Richardson, director for estates at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “I’m really proud to be a part of this important milestone moment in the new centre build, and to have all these people here on site, who have played such a role in shaping the design and supporting the fundraising."

Paul Watkins, director of fundraising at Leeds Hospitals Charity, added: "The Burrow family has inspired people across the country and created an incredible community who have supported this appeal, right from the beginning.

"To have some of those supporters here with us today, leaving their own mark on the frame, is just wonderful."

The new building will be more than 1,000 sq m in area, with an atrium, wheelchair-accessible parking, and newly landscaped gardens.

It is due to open next summer.

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