Rob Burrow

Leeds Rhinos legend Rob Burrow has announced he has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND).

 A fund will be set up to support Rob in his treatment and his family of a wife and three young children under 8 in the years ahead.

You can support by making a donation here. If you are a UK tax payer you can also tick the option to gift aid your donation. Gift Aid is great because it means the fund will get extra money added to your donations at no extra cost to you. For every £1 donated, the fund will receive £1.25 when you add Gift Aid.

Burrow, 37, retired from playing at the end of the 2017 season, his final game seeing him winning his eighth Super League Grand Final. He is the club’s Reserve team Head Coach having led the Rhinos Academy team for the past two seasons.

The father of three played his entire career at Leeds Rhinos, making 492 appearances for the club following his debut in 2001, placing him in fifth in the club’s all-time list of career appearances. He scored 196 tries for a total of 1,103 points. He was capped 15 times by England and played five more tests for Great Britain including a Man of the Series performance in 2007 for the national side.

He is a two-time winner of the Harry Sunderland Award as Man of the Match in the 2007 and 2011 Grand Final. He won the Challenge Cup in 2014 and 2015 as well as three World Club Challenges and three League Leaders Shields.

Commenting on the announcement, Burrow said, “Regrettably, today I am confirming that I have been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease. I would like to thank everyone for the support I have received already since being given my diagnosis. I know I have a big challenge in front of me but knowing that I have the love and support of so many people will give me inspiration and strength. I am very positive about the situation and intend to battle the condition as I still feel fit and well."