Rob Burrow: His incredible life in pictures

Rob Burrow died on Sunday aged 41

Rugby league icon Rob Burrow inspired many with his campaigning to raise awareness of motor neurone disease (MND).

After he was diagnosed with the degenerative condition in 2019, Burrow and his friend and former team-mate Kevin Sinfield raised more than £15m for charity in less than five years.

Leeds Rhinos legend Burrow won the Super League eight times and played for England on 13 occasions.

The father of three died aged 41 on Sunday at Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield.

Rob Burrow playing a junior match in 1992

Born in Pontefract on 26 September 1982, Burrow was a talented rugby league player from a young age.

But according to his father Geoffrey, he was told he would never play the sport professionally due to his height.

Burrow enjoyed a 16-year career at Leeds Rhinos

He stood at 5ft 5in (1.65m), but defied expectations by rising through the ranks at Leeds Rhinos, where he enjoyed a 16-year career.

His leadership and character were evident from a young age, and at the age of 21 he captained the England academy side for their tour of New Zealand and Australia.

Burrow won eight Super League championships with Leeds Rhinos

Burrow went on to be one of the most successful players in English rugby league history.

He won eight Super League championships, two Challenge Cups, was named in the Super League Dream Team three times and won the Harry Sunderland Trophy twice.

Burrow played for England and Great Britain

But just two years after retiring from professional rugby, Burrow was diagnosed with MND.

He dedicated the rest of his life to raising money to spread awareness of the disease, with the help of his family, friends and former team-mates.

Kevin Sinfield helped his friend Rob Burrow raise millions of pounds for charity

Sinfield, Burrow's former team-mate at Leeds Rhinos, England and Great Britain, helped his friend raise more than £15m for MND charities.

Their efforts funded the Rob Burrow Centre for MND at Seacroft Hospital, which is described as the "first of its kind" by Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

Burrow and his wife Lindsey arriving at Windsor Castle to receive his MBE

In 2022, Burrow received an MBE for his charity work, which he collected alongside his wife Lindsey, whom he married in 2006.

The couple met as teenagers and have three children together.

Sinfield carrying Burrow over the finish line at the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon

The 2023 Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon saw more than 10,000 participants take to the streets of the city in Burrow's name.

Sinfield carried his friend across the finish line last year, and a year later they were awarded CBEs.

The Prince of Wales (right) meeting Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield during a visit to Headingley Stadium, Leeds, where they were awarded CBEs

Burrow passed away on Sunday after battling MND for four-and-a-half years.

Paying tribute to his friend, Sinfield said: "The world has lost a great man and a wonderful friend to so so many."

Rhinos fans grieve Burrow's death at Headingley