Rugby legend backs tree campaign
RUGBY LEAGUE legend Rob Burrow is teaming up with Welcome to Yorkshire to support a charity tree-planting campaign which will raise money for the MND Association.
The region’s tourism agency has launched a special membership initiative in honour of the former Leeds Rhinos’ star, who was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in 2019.
Since the diagnosis Mr Burrow has spoken publicly about his illness to raise awareness and memorably inspired his close friend and Leeds Rhinos Director of Rugby, Kevin Sinfield, to raise £2.7m in his ‘7 in 7 Challenge’ of seven marathons in seven days.
The new charity drive is part of Welcome to Yorkshire’s My Y personal membership scheme, and is aimed at promoting Yorkshire across the globe and includes planting a tree for every member to help combat climate change. There will now be an option to choose a special Welcome to Yorkshire Rob Burrow Membership, with £5 from every one purchased donated to the MND Association and recorded in the MND Association Rob Burrow Fightback Fund.
Kevin Sinfield said: “This is a wonderful way for people to support the MND Association and help families just like Rob’s.”
More than 2,000 trees have been planted in Yorkshire since Welcome to Yorkshire launched its the scheme last year and those with trees planted in their name include actor Sir Patrick Stewart, Yorkshire shepherdess Amanda Owen, gardening guru Alan Titchmarsh and the late Captain Sir Tom Moore.
Trees are being planted at the Broughton Hall Estate, the White Rose Forest and its partner Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust with Shoe Gate Wood in Nidderdale, as well as William’s Den in North Cave.