THE motor neurone disease (MND) foundation set up by Stephen Darby has expressed its devastation after the death of Rob Burrow CBE.
Leeds Rhinos announced just after 6pm on Sunday that their former player and rugby league legend had passed away peacefully at Pinderfields Hospital near his home, aged 41.
The club said he was surrounded by his family, after becoming ill earlier last week.
Burrow was diagnosed with MND in December 2019 and, alongside best friend and former teammate, Kevin Sinfield CBE, inspired nearly £20 million in fundraising across the UK and Ireland, which helped build The Rob Burrow Centre for MND in Leeds.
Like Burrow, ex-Bradford City player Stephen Darby has raised awareness about the disease by appearing in public, sharing updates, and fundraising through a variety of events and challenges, since announcing his diagnosis with MND, and subsequent retirement from football in September 2018.
The Valley Parade favourite set up The Darby Rimmer MND Foundation alongside his close friend, the late Chris Rimmer, shortly after.
In a statement on X on Sunday evening, the charity said: “Everyone at Darby Rimmer MND Foundation is heartbroken and devastated to hear the sad news that our great friend Rob Burrow has passed away.
“Our thoughts are with Lindsey, Macy, Maya, Jackson and family.
“Rest easy Rob x.”
Steph Houghton MBE, Darby’s wife, also shared her thoughts for Burrow and his family.
She said on X: “Devastated doesn’t even come close!
“Words can’t describe our love for Rob!
“Sending all our love to Lindsey and family!
“We are always here for you!”
The Darby Rimmer MND Foundation continues to raise money to fund support for families affected by MND, and research a cure.
A March of the Day event took place in March, where an army of people completed a three-day trek from Valley Parade to Anfield, and raised £132,000.
Burrow was involved in that effort, supported by his wife Lindsey, as well as Darby and former Huddersfield striker Marcus Stewart, who also has MND.
Rhinos legend Burrow had an illustrious 17-year career with the club, where he won eight Super League titles.
Large crowds of people gathered at Headingley Stadium on Sunday night to pay tribute to Burrow, with flowers and shirts bearing the superstar's name being laid at the ground.
Robbie Hunter-Paul captained Bradford Bulls when the Odsal outfit used to battle it out season after season with their cross-border rivals in the early noughties.
He played against Burrow a number of times and Shourjo Sarkar shared what the treble-winning captain of 2003 had to say about the diminutive scrum-half, on BBC 5 Live Breakfast on Monday.
Hunter-Paul said: “I’ll be honest, when I first saw this tiny wee little kid running out for the opposition, I was really worried for him.
“Then 10 minutes into the match, I was really worried for us.”
Many others have paid tribute to Burrow’s character and attitude on and off the pitch.
Sinfield, 43, who completed an ultra-marathon challenge last December to raise funds for MND charities, where he ran 28 miles in seven different cities over seven days, said the world has lost “a great man and wonderful friend”.
He described Burrow as a “beacon of hope and inspiration” since his MND diagnosis.
In a statement posted on X by Leeds Rhinos, Sinfield said on Sunday: “Today was the day that I hoped would never come.
“The world has lost a great man and a wonderful friend to so so many.
“You fought so bravely until the end and became a beacon of hope and inspiration, not only for the MND (motor neurone disease) community but for all those who saw and heard your story.
“My love and thoughts go to your beautiful family, Lindsey, Macy, Maya, and Jackson, to your lovely parents Geoff & Irene, sisters Joanne and Claire and your wider family and friends.”
Sinfield added: “You will continue to inspire me every single day.
“I have lost a dear friend and I will never forget the special times we shared both on and off the pitch.
“I would always say that you were pound for pound the toughest player I ever played alongside, however since your diagnosis, you were the toughest and bravest man I have ever met.
“The last 4 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. All my love, Kev X.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel