Lindsey Burrow, told reporters that “Rob and I are over the moon by this generous donation”.
The money was donated to the Rob Burrow 7 Discretionary Trust, which has been made to help support the Burrow family through Rob’s diagnosis and improve the family’s quality of life.
The donation was given to the Burrow family at a Doncaster racing event, where Rob and wife Lindsey were watching a horse named Beep Beep Burrow after the ex-rhinos player compete.
According to reports, the donation was a surprise to the Burrows, and was an announced as family and friends held up placards to reveal the five figure donation.
The donation marks the third and largest donation from The Good Racing Company, who look after Beep Beep Burrow.
All funds from #BeepBeepBurrow membership sales will now be split between #mndassoc and @Rob7Burrow Discretionary Trust.
This means that donations will go directly towards Rob & family, helping them with the challenging costs of living with MND.
— thegoodracingco (@thegoodracingco) February 6, 2023
The charity horse takes its name from the Roadrunner and is paid for by the Good Racing Company, according to the BBC, who also announced profits from the racehorse will also go towards MND charities.
Speaking to the press, Lindsey Burrow said “At the moment, there’s no treatment for MND, so Rob does pay privately for some drugs that are not licenced … [The donation will] go towards costing those, plus any adaptations which we need in terms of adaptations to the house and care costs.”
In December 2019, former Leeds Rhinos player Rob Burrow was diagnosed with motor neurone disease and told he may only have a year to live, two at the most. Defying the odds, Rob has now reached his 40th Birthday.
MND is a degenerative disease that has left Leeds Rhinos legend of 16 years, Rob Burrow, paralysed and forced to communicate with his family through an eye-driven device. The condition affects nerves in the brain and spinal cord and has life-changing consequences for anyone diagnosed with the condition.
There are currently over 5,000 people in the UK living with the “brutal disease” according to the MDA Association.
The number seven has been one of a signature trademark for the former rugby player. Rob used to play with a 7 on his back, and ever since we’ve seen it used it a range of charity events to raise money for MND charities and supporting the Burrow family.
7,777 runners are set to compete in the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon in May, whilst friend and local fundraising legend Kevin Sinfield’s has taken on a range of inspiring and simply incredible feats, having completed the ‘Ultra 7 in 7’ marathon challenge in 2022 on top of numerous other unbelievable achievements in previous years, helping raise over £7 million for MND charities.
Read More:
- New Leeds marathon to launch in honour of Rob Burrow MBE
- Rob Burrow to read CBeebies Bedtime Story for International Day of Disabled Persons
- Kevin Sinfield and Rob Burrow to receive Freedom of Leeds honour award
Continuing to fundraise for MND awareness and support, Lindsey Burrow is preparing to run in the Leeds Marathon. The huge sporting challenge will be her first marathon, and donations will go towards building the new Rob Burrow MND Centre in Leeds which Lindsey “hope[s] will be built in Leeds, to help other MND patients like Rob and families like ours.”
You can donate to Lindsey’s Running for Rob page here via JustGiving.
Feature Image- Just Giving