Friends and loved ones of Rob Burrow have gathered at a funeral reception to say their final goodbyes.
The Leeds Rhinos and England star passed away at the age of 41 following a long battle with motor neurone disease (MND).
Earlier this month, hundreds of people lined the streets to pay their respects to the rugby league legend. A civic reception was held at Leeds Civic Hall to honor Rob’s life and work. The event was hosted by the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Abigail Marshall Katung, and attended by Rob’s family, along with approximately 180 guests. Among those in attendance were his former teammate Jamie Jones-Buchanan, MND Association CEO Tanya Curry, and Leeds City Council leader James Lewis.
Burrow, who lived in West Yorkshire, died in a local hospital just hours before the groundbreaking ceremony for a new MND research center that will be named in his honor. Around noon on the day of his funeral, hundreds of mourners lined the streets as the cortege traveled to a private service. Many supporters wore Leeds Rhinos jerseys, turning the streets blue, while junior players from Featherstone Lions ARLFC also attended in their team kit.
A police motorcycle led the hearse, followed by five cars carrying the rugby legend’s wife, Lindsey, whom he married in 2006, and their three children: Macy, Maya, and Jackson. The cortege also included Rob’s sisters, Joanne Hartshorne and Claire Burnett, as well as his parents, Geoff and Irene. Floral tributes spelling out “Dad,” “Bro,” and “Son” were displayed in the back of the hearse.
The procession made a stop at the Featherstone Lions’ grounds, where the star played junior rugby, to allow members of the community to sign a book of condolences.
Following his death, a poignant final message from Burrow was shared, in which he urged people not to “waste a moment” of their lives. “In a world full of adversity, we must still dare to dream,” he stated.
The father of three was diagnosed with MND in 2019 and became a tireless campaigner for the cause. In a moving tribute, his wife Lindsey said that the rugby star “made the world a better place.”
To honor his friend, 58-year-old Ian Flatt—who was also diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2019—is currently climbing seven mountains in his wheelchair.
