Fundraising superstars: Rob Burrow

Fundraisers taking part in sponsored events are among the bedrocks of charity sector income. For example, in 2024 they raised a record £67mfor taking part in the London Marathon, according to figures from the JustGiving and Enthuse platforms.

 

When those taking part are celebrities or have a headline grabbing connection to their chosen cause they can raise vast sums of money, as well as generate widespread awareness for a cause.

 

This has certainly been the case with former Rugby League star the late Rob Burrow, who passed away in 2024 after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND), an incurable disease that affects the brain and nerves.

 

Since his 2019 diagnosis he dedicated his final years living with the disease to generating funds and awareness for research into MND, raising nearly £20m with his fellow Leeds Rhinos and England teammate Kevin Sinfield.

 

Here we look back on the incredible fundraising achievement of Burrow and his friends, and how he used his fame to help others living with the disease.

 

 

Who was Rob Burrow?

 

Rob Burrow was one of England’s most well-known rugby league players, making just under 500 appearances for Leeds Rhinos, as well as representing Great Britain and England.

 

Across his career he helped Leeds Rhinos to several cup successes. At 5ft 5in he was among the smallest players in his sport, which he retired from in 2017.

 

 

Diagnosis and fundraising

 

Two years after retiring he was diagnosed with MND and within a month his fundraising feats began.

 

Early in 2020 he came out of retirement to play a one-off testimonial match for Leeds Rhinos player Jamie Jones-Buchanan, which also raised money for MND support charities.

 

This was the start of a series of fundraising feats in the final four years of his life that raised £20m for MND support and research with Sinfield. This included Sinfield’s running of seven marathons in seven days, which raised more than £2.5m to honour his friend.  

 

MND Association has been a major beneficiary of fundraising by Burrow and his family and friends. Since 2023 the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon has been staged. In 2024 this raised nearly £500,000 for the charity and saw 14,000 take part to raise money for a raft of charities.

 

Sinfield took part in both years and during its inaugural event he carried Burrow over the finish line, which generated vital media headlines and photo opportunities to help the pair’s fundraising exploits.

 

Burrow’s fundraising also includes raising £5.8m to help build a centre, which is being named after the late Rugby Leage star, for people living with MND and their families.

 

Following Burrow’s passing in June 2024 work began straight away on the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease at the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

 

“My vision is that people diagnosed with MND hear the news in a calming and tranquil sanctuary,” said Burrow as he urged people to donate to the Centre.

 

“I envisage a beautiful, welcoming building that is user and family friendly. A place where patients feel comfortable to bring family members into a safe and homely environment for them, with signs of hope and optimism.”

 

 

Tributes to Rob Burrow

 

Among those paying tribute to Burrow is the Motor Neurone Disease Association, which said in a powerful statement that “Rob and his family bravely chose to publicly share their MND journey to raise awareness of the disease”.

 

“All of us at the Association are incredibly grateful for everything they have done. Rob has inspired so many individuals, families, clubs and societies, companies and trusts to support the work of the Association, by taking on challenges, fundraising and donating,” the charity’s statement added.  

 

“We are grateful to all of those supporters for their generosity and their desire to fight back against this devastating disease.”

 

Meanwhile his fundraising partner Sinfield said: “The world has lost a great man and a wonderful friend to so many.”

 

Kevin Sinfield pays tribute to his friend Rob Burrow after the former Leeds Rhinos side passed away on Sunday pic.twitter.com/2USaDRom5l

— Leeds Rhinos (@leedsrhinos)

Kevin Sinfield pays tribute to his friend Rob Burrow after the former Leeds Rhinos side passed away on Sunday pic.twitter.com/2USaDRom5l

— Leeds Rhinos (@leedsrhinos) June 2, 2024

 

Prince William, who awarded Burrow a CBE in 2023, said the fundraiser “had a huge heart” adding “he taught us, in a world full of adversity, we must dare to dream”.

 

Meanwhile, Leeds Hospital Charity, which is raising money for the Rob Burrow Centre described him as “an inspiration, not only to the people of Yorkshire, but the entire nation, and across the world”.

 

It added: “Despite facing his own challenges, Rob was devoted to raising awareness and funds to help people living with motor neurone disease and their loved ones, until the end.

“Rob, and his family, bravely shared his personal story with us all and showed us how to live life to the fullest in the face of adversity. Even when his own voice failed him, he gave a voice to the entire MND community giving people hope and spreading joy with his infectious smile and unwavering sense of humour.”