Rob Burrow: Former Leeds Rhinos teammate Kevin Sinfield pays tribute to ‘wonderful friend’
A former teammate of Rob Burrow has paid tribute to a “wonderful friend” after the rugby league legend died more than four years after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
Kevin Sinfield played for Leeds Rhinos alongside Burrow and the pair went on to raise millions of pounds for charity after the former scrum-half was diagnosed with the condition in 2019.
An image of Sinfield carrying his former teammate over the finish line of the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon in May 2023 is one that will live long in the memory.
In January, the Prince of Wales awarded Burrow and Sinfield with CBEs in recognition of their “phenomenal” efforts in raising funds for motor neurone disease (MND).
Sinfield was also joined by Prince William in paying tribute to the rugby player-turned-campaigner who died on Sunday aged 41.
In a statement posted on X by Leeds Rhinos, Sinfield said: “Today was the day that I hoped would never come.
“The world has lost a great man and a wonderful friend to so so many.
“You fought so bravely until the end and became a beacon of hope and inspiration, not only for the MND community but for all those who saw and heard your story.”
Rob Burrow
He continued in his tribute to Burrow: “I would always say that you were pound for pound the toughest player I ever played alongside, however since your diagnosis, you were the toughest and bravest man I have ever met.
“I will miss you my little mate.”
In a personally signed message on X, the Prince of Wales said: “A legend of Rugby League, Rob Burrow had a huge heart. He taught us, in a world full of adversity, we must dare to dream.”
Leeds Rhinos had earlier said in a statement that Burrow “passed away peacefully” at Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield, near his home, surrounded by his family, after becoming ill earlier this week
Burrow leaves behind his wife Lindsey and their three young children Macy, Maya and Jackson.
The Prince of Wales (right) meets Rob Burrow, his wife Lindsey Burrow and their children Maya (left), Macy and Jackson in Leeds in January. Pic: Reuters
Following his diagnosis, Burrow spearheaded a £6.8m appeal for Leeds Hospitals Charity, where he received care, for a state-of-the-art centre for people living with MND.
The rare, degenerative brain and nerve condition eventually took Burrow’s voice and confined him to a wheelchair.
The Leeds Hospital Charity has said the former rugby player was “an inspiration, not only to the people of Yorkshire, but the entire nation, and across the world”, adding that he spread joy with his “infectious smile and unwavering sense of humour”.
Read more:
Sinfield and Burrow’s lessons in friendship
Burrow completes Father’s Day fun run
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Prince William surprises Rob Burrow with CBE
Meanwhile, Sinfield has completed several challenges to fundraise for MND organisations.
This includes raising £1.5m after completing seven ultramarathons in seven days, starting from Edinburgh and ending at Manchester’s Old Trafford stadium, reaching the finish line during the Rugby League World Cup final.
Leeds Rhinos said work on Monday to begin building the new Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease will “go ahead as planned at Rob’s request”, adding it was a tribute to his “incredible work”.
The chief executive of the MND Association said Burrow, who was a patron of the charity, was “brilliant for the motor neurone disease community” and that he lived with the condition with “dignity, kindness and tenacity”.
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From November – Rob Burrow: ‘Kev is still my captain’
The MND Association said Burrow was a “passionate advocate” for people with the “brutal” disease.
Tanya Curry, who has led the charity since January 2023, said: “We are so grateful for everything that Rob and his family did.
“He allowed his diagnosis to come into people’s homes so he could show the impact of this devastating and cruel disease that he lived with since the end of 2019 with such dignity, kindness and tenacity.
“Whenever you met Rob, you couldn’t help but smile and have a great conversation with him and he will be missed by so many.”
Kevin Sinfield, left and Rob Burrow during their playing days. Pic: AP
Burrow spent his entire rugby league career with Leeds Rhinos and helped them win eight Super League titles, and represented Great Britain.
Emotional well-wishers turned up at the club’s Headingley Stadium on Sunday to pay their respects, leaving flowers, shirts and other tributes.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir Starmer to sack Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq over allegations she lived in properties linked to allies of her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the deposed prime minister of Bangladesh.
It comes after the current Bangladeshi leader, Muhammad Yunus, said London properties used by Ms Siddiq should be investigated.
He told the Sunday Times the properties should be handed back to his government if they were acquired through “plain robbery”.
Tory leader Ms Badenoch said: “It’s time for Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq.
“He appointed his personal friend as anti-corruption minister and she is accused herself of corruption.
“Now the government of Bangladesh is raising serious concerns about her links to the regime of Sheikh Hasina.”
Ms Siddiq insists she has “done nothing wrong”.
Her aunt was ousted from office in August following an uprising against her 20-year leadership and fled to India.
Ms Siddiq is also named with her aunt in Bangladesh court documents about meetings with the Russian government.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir to sack the minister
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As economic secretary to the Treasury, Ms Siddiq is responsible for policy on both the City and tackling corruption.
She referred herself to the prime minister’s ethics watchdog on Monday following the reports about the properties.
On the same day, the prime minister said: “Tulip Siddiq has acted entirely properly by referring herself to the independent adviser, as she’s now done, and that’s why we brought into being the new code.
“It’s to allow ministers to ask the adviser to establish the facts, and yes, I’ve got confidence in her, and that’s the process that will now be happening.”
Police in Aberdeen have widened the search area for two sisters who disappeared four days ago in the city.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti, both 32, were last seen on CCTV on Market Street after leaving their home on Tuesday at around 2.12am.
The sisters – who are part of a set of triplets and originally from Hungary – crossed the Victoria Bridge to the Torry area and turned right on to a footpath next to the River Dee.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti were last seen on CCTV in Market Street. Pic: Police Scotland/PA
They headed in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club but officers said there is no evidence to suggest the missing women left the immediate area.
Specialist search teams, police dogs and a marine unit have been trying to trace the pair.
The sisters crossed Victoria Bridge before walking along a footpath next to the River Dee
The pair were heading in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club on the south side of the River Dee
Further searches are being carried out towards the Port of Aberdeen’s South Harbour and Duthie Park.
Police Scotland said it is liaising with authorities in Hungary to support the relatives of the two sisters.
Chief Inspector Darren Bruce said: “Eliza and Henrietta’s family are understandably extremely worried about them and we are working tirelessly to find them.
“We are seriously concerned about them and have significant resources dedicated to the inquiry.”
The sisters, from Aberdeen city centre, are described as slim with long brown hair.
Henrietta Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Eliza Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Officers have requested businesses in and around the South Esplanade and Menzies Road area to review their CCTV footage for the early morning of Tuesday 7 January.
Police added they are keen to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from that time.
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