Burrow family say MND site theft 'beggars belief'

Rob Burrow was diagnosed with MND in 2019 and died in June 2024

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.

Leeds Hospitals Charity said the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease is still expected to open later this year

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."

Thousands of runners turned out for the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon on 11 May

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.

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