Leeds Rhinos legend Rob Burrow MBE’s campaign for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) funding has been rejected by the UK government.
Geoff Burrow, father of the former Rhinos star, took to social media to share his anger at the lack of funding for MND in the government budget announcement.
A coalition of MND organisations, researchers and campaigners, including Geoff Burrow, submitted a funding bid to the government in September to request official funding into the life-changing condition.
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.
The proposal for additional funding had been backed by business secretary Kwasi Kwawrteng but the budget announcement on Wednesday saw the pledge omitted.
There are currently over 5,000 people in the UK living with the “brutal disease” according to the MDA Association.
Chief Executive, Sally Light commented on the lack of funding as “disappointing”.
“The government hasn’t listened to our plea to invest £50 million in targeted MND research. Our researchers are on the cusp of a breakthrough in discovering treatments for MND but they need a meaningful injection of funding”.
Father of Rob Burrow, Geoff Burrow desperately issued a plea on social media asking the government to reconsider.
Rob Burrow has diagnosed with MND in December 2019 and is cared for full-time by his wife Lyndsey.
The ex-Rhinos star spoke out earlier this year about his condition, saying that “it’s beautiful being cared for by the only girl you’ve ever loved“.
The Burrow family have been supported online, with many fans and strangers to Rob’s celebrity status alike commenting kind words in response to the tweet.
“We are outraged Geoff! Time for people to stand up and force action. We love you @Rob7Burrow“.
“Same old same old words are cheap. They are happy to jump on a good cause when it gets them publicity. The wee man has did more than his share to raise awareness we must all push on and keep it in the headlines. Well done for talking out Mr B”.
There is a fundraising event from the Motor Neurone Disease Association taking place on Saturday 6 November where a folk concert performance is hoping to raise funds for research.
There is also the Doncaster 10K and Clowe Half Marathon events in November and plenty of other opportunities to get involved in campaigning to fund the condition.
Feature Image- Rob Burrow MBE, Twitter
