Rob Burrow Centre for MND a 'massive step forward'

The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease will be based at Seacroft Hospital

The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease is to open in Leeds later, five years after the rugby league legend dreamed the idea with his consultant.

The former Leeds Rhino player, who was diagnosed with MND, died last summer after years of challenges, raising awareness and millions of pounds to fund research and care for the condition.

The state-of-the-art centre in Seacroft is the first purpose-built facility dedicated entirely to MND care, research, education and holistic support.

Rob's dad, Geoff Burrow said the centre was "a dream come true" and seeing it for the first time was "one of the best days of his life".

"When you get diagnosed [with MND] it is no hope and no future," Mr Burrow continued.

"I just hope that having facilities like this takes the "no" away from no hope and no future.

"It is a massive step forward."

Rob's widow, Lindsey, said to see the building finally completed was a real "pinch-me moment".

"I know hand on heart that patients are at the very centre of this building, everything has been designed with patients in mind," she said.

"Access into the centre, having quiet rooms, having family space - everything has been encompassed into the design."

Building work on the centre has been completed less than 18 months since Rob's death

The centre at Seacroft Hospital follows a £6.8m campaign led by Leeds Hospitals Charity and has been heavily supported by the community in Leeds, Leeds Rhinos and Kevin Sinfield.

Sinfield, Rob Burrow's friend and former Leeds Rhino's teammate, has raised more than £10m for MND related causes since Rob's diagnosis in 2019.

He has previously run five ultra marathons and will complete his latest ultra-marathon challenge with a community Christmas race.

Rob Burrow's friend and former Leeds Rhino's teammate, Kevin Sinfield, has raised more than £10m for Motor Neurone Disease related causes

The hospital's clinical specialists and the wider MND community have been involved in designing the centre as well as patients and their families who are at the core of the build.

Rob's neurologist consultant at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Dr Agam Jung, is the director for the centre.

As she showed Rob's family around for the first time she told them: "When I first saw Rob at Leeds General Infirmary, I felt very strongly that I had not given him the dignity - there was no space".

"I am so grateful to so many people who have worked together to make this dream a reality," she added.

"All of us who work in this incredible new centre will focus on providing the very best care and community for families and patients."

More than 17,000 donors have contributed to the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease

Building work has been completed less than 18 months after Rob's death.

More than 17,000 donors have contributed and fundraising is continuing as part of ongoing efforts to transform lives for people living with MND and to support their loved ones.

Rob's mum Irene said she was "so proud" of the facility.

"When Rob and Lindsay first mentioned this five years ago, I never thought this would be it.

"It is an amazing building.

"It has made such a difference to people with MND and their families because the families go through a lot as well so this just hopefully makes it that little bit better for a minute."

Meanwhile, Lindsey Burrow said she had "goosebumps" walking in to the building for the first time.

"Obviously Rob wanted this centre to help families and I think he would be incredibly proud, and we are incredibly proud, the centre is in Rob's name."

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