Rob Burrow MND centre shows 'dreams come true'

A specialist centre to support motor-neurone disease (MND) patients and their families has opened in Leeds.

The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease opened at Seacroft Hospital, with the rugby league legend's family looking on as the ribbon was cut.

Leeds Rhinos star Burrow was diagnosed with the condition in 2019, and died aged 41 in June 2024. His father Geoff said the opening of the centre proved "dreams come true".

The £6.8m centre was funded through donations to the Leeds Hospitals Charity, with much of the cash raised with the help of a campaign spearheaded by Burrow's friend and former team-mate Kevin Sinfield.

"Thanks to all the people who raised money," Geoff Burrow said.

"It's not just for MND sufferers and their families, but for all the staff. The staff are marvellous, they're angels."

Construction work on the site at began in June 2024, the day after Burrow's death was announced by his family.

• As it happened: Rob Burrow Leeds MND centre opens doors

Leeds Rhinos hero Burrow's work to raise awareness of MND transcended rugby league and made him a much-loved figure among the wider public

His widow Lindsey said the completed project was down to the "generosity and kindness" of many people.

"To have so many of the staff that work in the centre, and indeed the patients here, it is just such an honour," she said.

"We're just so incredibly proud and grateful and so would Rob be."

As well as clinical rooms for treatment and tests, the new centre also has a community focused area with reading and quiet spaces, as well as activity and dining areas.

It is expected the facility will be a flagship centre for affected families across the North of England.

The Rob Burrow MND Centre is based at Seacroft Hospital

Speaking to BBC Breakfast in advance of the opening, Sinfield, who has completed a series of ultra-marathon challenges to raise funds for the centre and other MND-related causes, said he had feared the £6.8m target would be "too big" to reach.

But he said that, thanks to people's generosity, "we've got to the point where something incredibly special has been put together".

"Yes it's bricks and mortar, but those bricks and mortar will enable families to have a better journey and that's been a big part of this," Sinfield said.

Burrow's mum Irene said the completion of the centre was "just the first step" in cementing her son's legacy and helping MND patients.

"The next step is a cure," she added.

Additional reporting by BBC Breakfast's John Maguire.

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