Fund for ex-player diagnosed with incurable disease nears £200,000

A FUND set up to support former Leeds Rhinos star Rob Burrow and his family after he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease is nearing its target of £200,000.

Thousands of donations have been made to the fundraising drive which had reached £189,924 yesterday, less than a week after Mr Burrow announced that he had the incurable condition. The online fund stated 8,724 supporters had given cash to support father-ofthree Mr Burrow and his family.

In a message posted on the site, Mr Burrow said: “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.”

One of rugby league’s greatest players, the scrum-half won eight Super League titles and played almost 500 games with Leeds before retiring in 2017.

The Pontefractborn 37-year-old, inset, who now works as the coach of Rhinos’ reserve side, gave an emotional interview when he announced he had been diagnosed, claiming he is “fine with dying” but pledging to try to see his children grow up.

The disease means messages from the motor neurones gradually stop reaching muscles. This leads them to weaken, stiffen and waste and those affected may lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, drink and ultimately to breathe.

Life expectancy varies but sufferers often die within three years of diagnosis. Former Keighley Cougars prop Phil Stephenson died from MND last year aged 47 and ex-Sheffield Eagles player Nick Smith was just 38 when he passed away in 2017. Mark Burgess, the father of Burrow’s former Great Britain team-mate Sam Burgess, also died from the disease.

Donations can be made via the uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ website and searching for Rob Burrow.