Leeds will say a heartbreaking final farewell to Rob Burrow CBE at a special event tomorrow.
The former Leeds Rhinos star tragically passed away earlier this year at the age of 41, having spent his final years battling motor neurone disease (MND) and raising awareness about the degenerative condition.
Alongside former team mate and best friend Kevin Sinfield, together they raised millions of pounds to help others with the illness after Rob’s diagnosis in 2019.
The commemoration will take place tomorrow, Friday 12 July, at Leeds Civic Hall and will see friends and family come together to celebrate the sporting hero’s remarkable achievements and lasting legacy.
The special event will feature speeches and videos celebrating his sporting exploits and his inspirational fundraising work.
The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Coun Abigail Marshall Katung, will welcome all attendees and make an opening speech.
Other speakers will include Rhinos board member and Rob’s former team-mate Jamie Jones-Buchanan, MND Association chief executive Tanya Curry, and Coun James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council.
Guests will also hear tributes from Tom Riordan, the chief executive of the council, the Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, and Paul Watkins, the director of fundraising at Leeds Hospitals Charity.
The event is being held in the Leeds Civic Hall’s banqueting suite, which was also the location for Rob was awarded the freedom of Leeds in 2023..
It is an invite-only event, but will be streamed live online so people can watch as the city honours the national hero.
The event will commence at 11am and the public can watch it here.
Read more:
- All Tesco Express stores to close early this Sunday so staff can watch England in Euro 2024 final
- The Junction Leeds to open ‘The Junc Shed’ – a new street food kiosk with rotating traders
- A magical new sculpture trail has just opened at Roundhay Park for the summer
Featured image – Leeds Rhinos
