Latest news with #GeoffBurrow
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Leeds honour Rob Burrow and support people living with MND
This has been a fallow period in the history of Leeds Rhinos but, despite the distinct lack of class one of Super League's heavyweight clubs have shown on the field since their last league title eight years ago, the one thing they never fail at is delivering off-field occasions that fit the bill. Leeds' annual motor neurone disease awareness day has always been one of those but this year it had extra poignance, taking place two days before the first anniversary of Rob Burrow's death. The day itself was not only a wonderful and fitting tribute to Burrow, but a heartening reminder of how the Rhinos have continued to drive his mission to help support those living with MND and to try to find a cure. Advertisement Related: A London club winning Super League? That's the vision for the new Broncos Last year, the money raised by the event helped fund the new MND hospital in the city which will carry Burrow's name. This year, another bumper total will continue to support the MND community and, with dozens of Burrow's teammates present, Leeds wearing a one-off shirt bearing his image and his family delivering the match ball, this was an occasion to cherish. Burrow's father, Geoff, captivated the hearts of everyone in attendance pre-match when addressing the crowd, just as he did last year in the first game after his son's death. It is those heartfelt moments that make you realise just how intertwined this family have become with the Rhinos and the city of Leeds since Burrow's diagnosis in 2019. But Burrow would have craved one thing above all else here, you suspect: a Leeds victory. The last Leeds team to win a Grand Final in 2017 included Burrow, on what was the last match of a decorated playing career. Few would have imagined that in 2025, they would still be waiting to taste that feeling again. Advertisement This thrilling victory over Wakefield Trinity does not guarantee that the wait will end this year: far from it, in fact. It is realistic to assume that while Leeds may be the best of the rest, they are still a sizable distance behind the competition's leading pair of Hull KR and Wigan. But for the first time in a good while in this part of West Yorkshire, there is hope. For 40 minutes Leeds were dazzling, a throwback to the sides Burrow was at the heart of as the Rhinos swept aside all comers throughout the 2000s and 2010s. By the end, they were clinging on, but they kept Wakefield Trinity at bay. Brad Arthur, the Rhinos' head coach, said: 'There were plenty of reasons why we needed to get up today, most of all the emotion around Rob and his family. It's been a very special day. I hope it makes his family feel proud that the guys delivered.' Yet for all the drama and all the enjoyment that comes with watching Leeds this year, this day reminded you to take a step back and realise that some things simply matter more than winning and losing. Sport, in the end, is a moment to escape from the travails of everyday life. Advertisement The thousands of shirts you saw at every turn inside Headingley adorned with Burrow's name – worn by children too young to have seen him play and by adults who have been watching this team for decades – underlined that his legacy transcends the rugby field by a considerable distance. The adults were visibly moved by the unveiling on the pitch of two huge banners with Burrow's image as the players emerged. The work this club, Kevin Sinfield and the whole of British rugby league will continue to do will strengthen Burrow's legacy and support those who need it. The whole sport has pulled together in a commendable way. His story, his incredible courage and his extreme bravery in the face of a fight few could imagine encountering is what really matters. But as Leeds clung on here in the final moments, desperate to prove they belong among Super League's elite again, you almost felt it was meant to be that they would hold firm on a day such as this.
The Guardian
4 days ago
- General
- The Guardian
Leeds honour Rob Burrow and support people living with MND
This has been a fallow period in the history of Leeds Rhinos but, despite the distinct lack of class one of Super League's heavyweight clubs have shown on the field since their last league title eight years ago, the one thing they never fail at is delivering off-field occasions that fit the bill. Leeds' annual motor neurone disease awareness day has always been one of those but this year it had extra poignance, taking place two days before the first anniversary of Rob Burrow's death. The day itself was not only a wonderful and fitting tribute to Burrow, but a heartening reminder of how the Rhinos have continued to drive his mission to help support those living with MND and to try to find a cure. Last year, the money raised by the event helped fund the new MND hospital in the city which will carry Burrow's name. This year, another bumper total will continue to support the MND community and, with dozens of Burrow's teammates present, Leeds wearing a one-off shirt bearing his image and his family delivering the match ball, this was an occasion to cherish. Burrow's father, Geoff, captivated the hearts of everyone in attendance pre-match when addressing the crowd, just as he did last year in the first game after his son's death. It is those heartfelt moments that make you realise just how intertwined this family have become with the Rhinos and the city of Leeds since Burrow's diagnosis in 2019. But Burrow would have craved one thing above all else here, you suspect: a Leeds victory. The last Leeds team to win a Grand Final in 2017 included Burrow, on what was the last match of a decorated playing career. Few would have imagined that in 2025, they would still be waiting to taste that feeling again. This thrilling victory over Wakefield Trinity does not guarantee that the wait will end this year: far from it, in fact. It is realistic to assume that while Leeds may be the best of the rest, they are still a sizable distance behind the competition's leading pair of Hull KR and Wigan. But for the first time in a good while in this part of West Yorkshire, there is hope. For 40 minutes Leeds were dazzling, a throwback to the sides Burrow was at the heart of as the Rhinos swept aside all comers throughout the 2000s and 2010s. By the end, they were clinging on, but they kept Wakefield Trinity at bay. Brad Arthur, the Rhinos' head coach, said: 'There were plenty of reasons why we needed to get up today, most of all the emotion around Rob and his family. It's been a very special day. I hope it makes his family feel proud that the guys delivered.' Yet for all the drama and all the enjoyment that comes with watching Leeds this year, this day reminded you to take a step back and realise that some things simply matter more than winning and losing. Sport, in the end, is a moment to escape from the travails of everyday life. Sign up to The Recap The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend's action after newsletter promotion The thousands of shirts you saw at every turn inside Headingley adorned with Burrow's name – worn by children too young to have seen him play and by adults who have been watching this team for decades – underlined that his legacy transcends the rugby field by a considerable distance. The adults were visibly moved by the unveiling on the pitch of two huge banners with Burrow's image as the players emerged. The work this club, Kevin Sinfield and the whole of British rugby league will continue to do will strengthen Burrow's legacy and support those who need it. The whole sport has pulled together in a commendable way. His story, his incredible courage and his extreme bravery in the face of a fight few could imagine encountering is what really matters. But as Leeds clung on here in the final moments, desperate to prove they belong among Super League's elite again, you almost felt it was meant to be that they would hold firm on a day such as this.
Daily Mirror
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Rob Burrow's dad furious as thieves hit MND centre built in memory of rugby icon
Geoff Burrow has hit out at thieves who targeted a new 'world class' centre being built in memory of his son, Rob, the Leeds Rhinos legend who bravely fought MND The dad of rugby league legend Rob Burrow has said it "beggars belief" that people could steal from the new motor neurone disease (MND) treatment centre being built in his son's name. Geoff Burrow said Rob "just wanted to help people" and "would be looking down cursing" the thieves who targeted the Leeds site last week. Rob's dad has told of his pride the 'amazing' centre was being built and thanked the public for raising money for the 'absolutely world class facility'. The new Rob Burrow MND centre is under construction and is expected to open later this year in memory of Rob who died in June 2024. A massive £6.8million was fundraised to create the flagship centre to care for MND patients in honour of Rob Burrow who had the disease. West Yorkshire Police said the force was investigating a theft including some copper on Wednesday and an attempted theft on Friday night. Extra security has now been put in place at the Seacroft construction site. The NHS trust which runs the site at Seacroft Hospital in Leeds said it was "really disappointed" in the incidents which caused damage to the facility, named after the Leeds Rhinos legend who died in 2024. Craige Richardson, Director of Estates and Facilities at Leeds Teaching Hospitals, said: "We are working with West Yorkshire Police, and we have also put in place extra security measures at the site. "We will always take positive action against criminal activity at our hospitals, including prosecution. "The new state-of-the-art Centre will provide a calm and peaceful environment for patients living with MND and their families. We remain on track to open in summer 2025." Police said they were called to the site at 11:37pm on Friday night to reports of an ongoing burglary. When officers arrived and searched the site they found a rucksack and tools which were seized. Construction work started in June shortly after the former player's death aged 41 and is due to be completed this summer. Geoff Burrow said the family thought it was a "prank" when they were told of the theft after they made a site visit on Friday. "It shows how low and desperate people are to make money," he said. "Rob wanted to help people, he was such a lovely person. He'd be looking down cursing them. For someone to do that beggars belief." Leeds Hospital Charity's CEO Esther Wakeman said the new facility had been a "real community effort" with 17,000 people donating or fundraising for the development. She said the crimes were "unbelievable". "It's so disheartening," she told the BBC. "We know how hard our supporters have worked and Rob Burrow's family have committed their time and energy to raising the money for this centre." Ms Wakeman said specialised facilities for MND patients and their families would make "such a difference" and supporters would be "unbelievably devastated" to think that somebody could try to steal from the new building.
Daily Mail
20-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Heartless criminals twice break into construction site of the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease
Brazen criminals have broken into the construction site of a Motor Neurone Disease centre being built in honour of inspirational rugby league star Rob Burrow. The father-of-three passed away at Pinderfield's Hospital surrounded by family following a six-year battle with the cruel disease in June of last year. The 41-year-old rugby player was first diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, only two years after retiring from a 17-season league career, where he won eight Super League titles for Leeds. Burrow, a fan favourite, alongside his former teammate Kevin Sinfield, dedicated himself to raising awareness and funds for the MND community. To honour the late rugby player, The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust began building a new £6.8million centre at Seacroft Hospital, with specialised facilities for MND patients and their families. But now its construction site has been hit by burglaries carried out by heartless criminals in two separate incidents, police have said. West Yorkshire Police first received reports of an ongoing burglary at the site at around 11.37pm, last Friday. Upon attending the scene, the force searched the scene and seized a number of items which included tools and a rucksack. Further investigations have discovered a burglary also happened at the construction site in the early hours of Wednesday morning on May 10, where a quantity of copper was stolen. Rob Burrow's father Geoff spoke out following reports of the Friday burglary, saying it was 'beggars belief' that criminals would steal from an MND treatment centre, adding his son 'would be looking down cursing', as he 'just wanted to help people. The family, who have been backing the facility backed by the donations and fundraising of 17,000 people within the communtiy, believed it was a 'prank' when they were told after a site visit last Friday. 'It shows how low and desperate people are to make money,' Geoff told the BBC: 'Rob wanted to help people, he was such a lovely person. 'He'd be looking down cursing them. For someone to do that beggars belief.' Leeds Hospital Charity's CEO Esther Wakeman described the incidents as 'disheartening', adding supporters would be 'unbelievably devastated' that somebody would steal from the centre. She added the centre was a 'real community effort', and would make 'such a difference' to those with MND and their families. Craige Richardson, director of estates and facilities at Leeds Teaching Hospitals, confirmed last Sunday staff were working alongside police and security for the site had been increased. Mr Richardson told the BBC: 'We are really disappointed that there have been two incidents involving theft and damage at the construction site of the new Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease at Seacroft Hospital. 'We will always take positive action against criminal activity at our hospitals, including prosecution.' Inspector Carl Robinson said: 'We are actively pursuing lines of inquiry in relation to these burglaries, which have quite understandably struck a chord with people in the community. 'I would urge anyone with information about either incident to contact us.' The Leeds East Neighbourhood Policing Team is now appealing for anyone with information, or any witnesses of the incidents to report it to West Yorkshire Police by calling 101 or online by quoting reference 13250276040.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
Burrow family say MND site theft 'beggars belief'
The father of rugby league legend Rob Burrow has said it "beggars belief" that people could steal from the new motor neurone disease (MND) treatment centre which bears his son's name. Geoff Burrow said Rob, who died in June 2024, "just wanted to help people" and "would be looking down cursing" the thieves who targeted the Leeds site last week. The new Rob Burrow MND centre is under construction in Seacroft and is expected to open later this year. West Yorkshire Police said the force was investigating a theft on Wednesday and an attempted theft on Friday night. Geoff Burrow said the family thought it was a "prank" when they were told of the theft after they made a site visit on Friday. "It shows how low and desperate people are to make money," he said. "Rob wanted to help people, he was such a lovely person. "He'd be looking down cursing them. For someone to do that beggars belief." Leeds Hospital Charity's CEO Esther Wakeman said the new facility had been a "real community effort" with 17,000 people donating or fundraising for the development. She said the crimes were "unbelievable". "It's so disheartening," she said. "We know how hard our supporters have worked and Rob Burrow's family have committed their time and energy to raising the money for this centre." Ms Wakeman said specialised facilities for MND patients and their families would make "such a difference" and supporters would be "unbelievably devastated" to think that somebody could try to steal from the new building. West Yorkshire Police said officers were called to reports of an "ongoing burglary" at the construction site on Friday evening. A rucksack and tools were seized, police spokesperson said. Inquiries established that copper was also stolen in the early hours of Wednesday. Extra security measures had been installed at the site, Leeds Teaching Hospitals said. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North West Yorkshire Police Rob Burrow MND Centre site targeted by thieves Thousands of runners turn out in Rob Burrow's memory
