Tag: funeral

Rob Burrow: Thousands pay final respects to Leeds Rhinos legend on funeral route | Rugby League News

Rob Burrow: Thousands pay final respects to Leeds Rhinos legend on funeral route | Rugby League News
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Thousands of people lined the streets to pay their respects to Leeds Rhinos legend and motor neurone disease campaigner Rob Burrow as a private funeral service was held.

Burrow passed away at the age of 41 on June 2, four and a half years after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.

The service was attended by many of Burrow’s ex-team-mates and coaches, including Kevin Sinfield, with whom Burrow raised more than £15m for MND charities since his diagnosis.

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Burrow passed away at the age of 41 on June 2, four and half years after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease

Sinfield – who ran seven ultra-marathons in as many days last December to generate funds – flew back from New Zealand, where he has been part of the England rugby union side’s coaching staff.

The funeral procession passed by Featherstone Lions’ ground where Burrow played rugby as a young boy, and slowed again through Featherstone near to where he played junior rugby.

Cars arrived and slowed into Pontefract Crematorium, passing through family and friends for the final time before a haka was performed as Burrow was carried out of the hearse.

Burrow’s former Leeds colleagues Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Ryan Hall and Matt Diskin were among those also present.

Team-mate and close friend Kevin Sinfield sent a special message to Leeds fans following Burrow’s passing

‘Burrow a true inspiration, a giant of a person’

Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington told the PA news agency of Burrow: “He was a true inspiration.

“The whole rugby league community has come together supported by Leeds Rhinos fans and so many others and his efforts over the last four and a half years with MND inspired the nation.

“With so much support from those such as Kevin Sinfield, politicians and other sports figures… it has been quite remarkable and he leaves a huge legacy. This is the final journey, it has been a remarkable chapter.

Leeds Rhinos gathered to remember their inspirational number seven and give Burrow the fitting tribute he deserved in the match against Leigh in June

“We all knew what the outcome would eventually be and Rob has been remarkable with his fight and what he’s been able to do, not only Rob, but his family.

“The whole family have come together and have been supported by sport in general. It’s brought people together and has moved the nation.

“He was full of life, full of ambition and full of enthusiasm.

“Rob was 5ft 4in but was a giant of a man, a giant of a rugby league player and a giant of a person.”

You can donate to the MND Association at www.mndassociation.org/skysports

Rob Burrow’s family and Leeds Rhinos confirm funeral plans for July 7 | Rugby League News

Rob Burrow’s family and Leeds Rhinos confirm funeral plans for July 7 | Rugby League News
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Leeds Rhinos and the Burrow family have confirmed the funeral of Rob Burrow CBE will take place on Sunday, July 7.

The date is notable as the one that the club use to annually celebrate Rob Burrow Day because of the iconic No 7 shirt he wore during his career.

The Leeds Rhinos great died at the age of 41 on June 2, having dedicated the last four-and-a-half years of his life to raising money and awareness for motor neurone disease causes after being diagnosed with the condition in December 2019.

The Burrow family and Leeds Rhinos players came together on the pitch after the game to watch a tribute to the inspirational number seven.

Burrow won eight Super League titles, two Challenge Cup trophies and three World Club Challenges at Leeds, while he also represented England and Great Britain internationally.

Leeds Rhinos supporters recall the special moments they had with Rob Burrow ahead of his tribute match at Headingley stadium.

The planned service will be private and for invited guests only, but the route for Burrow’s final journey has been published and members of the public are invited to stand on the roadside to pay their respects as the funeral cortege progresses.

Leeds City Council and the Lord Mayor of Leeds will also host an invite only civic reception in honour of Rob on Friday, July 12 at 11am.

Team-mate and close friend Kevin Sinfield sends a special message to the Leeds fans gathered to pay tribute to Rob Burrow.

Leeds honour ‘little warrior’ Burrow with tributes and victory

Last week, ahead of the Super League match between Leeds Rhinos and Leigh Leopards, his boyhood club and Sky Sports paid tribute to the “little warrior” who left a gigantic mark.

Leeds Rhinos gathered to remember their inspirational number seven and gave Rob Burrow the fitting tribute he deserved.

On Global MND Awareness day, a packed out Headingley Stadium was pulsing with emotion as family, friends, and fans alike came together to celebrate Leeds’ greatest No 7 who raised millions for the disease he battled valiantly since his diagnosis.

Sky Sports’ Rugby League’s Jamie Jones-Buchanan described the moment as Burrow’s “brothers and sisters” bringing the tribute into the “inner sanctum” – and that they did, his wife Lindsey Burrow, his parents Irene and Geoff Burrow, plus 80 of his former team-mates coming from as far as Australia and New Zealand to celebrate his legacy.

A special rendition of Nessun Dorma helps pays tribute to former Leeds Rhinos player Rob Burrow.

A powerful rendition of Nessun Dorma soundtracked the fireworks and applause as the celebration of Burrow’s life took to the pitch, the Rhinos players wearing a special jersey designed by Cath Muir, who herself was diagnosed with MND in 2014.

Video tributes also came in from stars across codes and sports, starting with a message from Burrow’s close friend and fellow MND campaigner Kevin Sinfield CBE, Alan Shearer also leaving a message that the sporting world will “remember Rob Burrow forever”.

Sky Sports pays tribute to the life and legacy of Rob Burrow CBE, following his tragic death from motor neurone disease.

It was a fittingly emotional build-up that looked to raise vital funds. Every day six people are diagnosed with motor neurone disease and every day six people die of the disease. There is no cure. The money raised as part of the MND Awareness game is hoping to change that.

The Rhinos came away with a much-needed 18-10 victory, Brodie Croft pointed to the sky, Geoff Burrow cheered, and the lasting memory from June 21, 2024 will be a night that remembered one of rugby league’s greats.

You can donate to the MND Association at www.mndassociation.org/skysports and on Sky Sports’ digital and social platforms.