THE PRINCE OF WALES WILL VISIT ROB BURROW AND KEVIN SINFIELD AT HEADINGLEY STADIUM
Thursday 11th January 2024
The Prince of Wales will travel to Headingley Stadium in Leeds on Thursday 11th January to meet with Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield and congratulate them on their outstanding efforts to raise awareness of, and funds to fight, Motor Neurone Disease.
Rob Burrow was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in December 2019, just two years after retiring from his position as scrum half at Leeds Rhinos, for whom he played throughout his entire professional career. Since his diagnosis Rob has inspired nearly £15 million of fundraising activity, including over £8.5 million raised by his friend and former teammate, Kevin Sinfield.
In 2020, Kevin embarked on his first fundraising challenge, the ‘7 in 7’, which saw him run seven marathons in seven days and raise over £2 million. Every year since then, Kevin has undertaken endurance challenges, including the inaugural Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon in May 2023 and the ‘7 in 7 in 7’ challenge, running seven ultra marathons across seven cities in seven days later the same year.
Upon arrival at the stadium, the Prince will speak with Rob and Kevin about their playing days at Leeds Rhinos. Playing alongside each other from 2001-2015, the pair won seven Grand Finals, two Challenge Cup Finals at Wembley, and three World Club titles together.
His Royal Highness will then join a conversation with both men and their families to hear more about their efforts over the past four years to champion and support those impacted by MND across the UK and Ireland.
In addition to supporting a number of charities, including Motor Neurone Disease Association, Leeds Hospitals Charity, The Darby Rimmer MND Foundation, Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, the money raised is also being used to build the Rob Burrow Centre for MND. The centre will be a purpose-built facility at Seacroft Hospital in Leeds and will see all the needs of an MND patient and their families met in one building.
A pleasure to award Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield with their CBEs at Headingley today. Thank you both for your incredible efforts in raising awareness and funds for Motor Neurone Disease. Both true heroes of the #MND community and the Rugby Football League. pic.twitter.com/vmtePMyVGD
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) January 11, 2024
🎖️ Kevin Sinfield CBE
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) January 11, 2024
🎖️ Rob Burrow CBE
Huge congratulations Kevin and Rob, well done for all you are doing to raise awareness of Motor Neurone Disease! pic.twitter.com/LHErpW6bj9