Rugby league legend Rob Burrow 'will leave a lasting legacy' in South Yorkshire
The former Leeds Rhinos star passed away at the weekend after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2019
Last updated 4th Jun 2024
We're hearing about how the death of rugby league player Rob Burrow is leaving a lasting legacy for people in South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire.
The 41-year-old died on Sunday - after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in 2019.
Michelle Malouf is Area Support Co-Ordinator at the MND Association in Yorkshire - who support people here - she tells us the whole community are feeling his loss:
"The influence that Rob has had in this space has been incredible.
"We have got just under 200 people living in this area with motor neurone disease, but they know what it is now.
"Everybody knows what it is, and a lot of that is due to the awareness Rob's raised.
"I think that we've got a remarkable springboard now. There's a lot of work that's happened organically, because of everything that's happened over the last few years with Rob."
Gary Hetherington founded the Sheffield Eagles rugby league team and worked with Rob at Leeds Rhinos.
He tells us Rob's determination was incredible:
"He was a wonderful person, he was a wonderful player, and he had a very distinctive style about him.
"He was small, but he was so tough and explosively quick, that anybody who saw him play will always remember him and never forget him.
"He did it at the highest level, too.
"After playing, he went into coaching.
"He passed on his wisdom and knowledge to the next generation of players.
"They benefitted as well - and then of course his battle with MND for the last four and a half years.
"He could've gone quietly into a private space, but he hasn't, he's campaigner for the greater good."