Rooney and Southgate helping Rob Burrow in fight against motor neurone disease as £192k raised for rugby league legend
WAYNE Rooney and Gareth Southgate are the latest names in line to help Rob Burrow in the fight of his life.
The Leeds legend’s shock diagnosis of motor neurone disease has rocked both the club and the whole sport of rugby league.
Fans and other sides have donated a whopping £193,000 to a fund set up to help the 37-year-old and his family through his treatment.
Now it is understood Rhinos fan Rooney has been in touch over how he can help and the club is in contact with England football boss Southgate.
England cricket star Jonny Bairstow auctioned off his shirt for the Rob Burrow Fund while Oliver Gildart has put his Great Britain rugby league shirt up.
Leeds United yesterday wore T-shirts backing Burrow while warming up before their Championship match against Preston and midfielder Liam Cooper is raffling off the shirt he wore at Fulham.
Burrow was at Leeds’ match against neighbours Wakefield, which the Rhinos won easily 30-4, with new skipper Stevie Ward touching down.
Cameron Smith, Konrad Hurrell, Alex Sutcliffe, Harry Newman and Brad Dwyer also scored but boss Richard Agar has been more impressed by the way things have gone off the field - including a surprise visit to his father Alan.
I’ve had different clubs and pubs phoning me up – people with no connection to Leeds Rhinos, just genuinely good people wanting to contribute.
Richard Agar
He said: “A bloke knocked on my dad's door on Christmas Eve, a complete stranger, and asked him to pass on £150 collected for Rob in a local pub.
“Some of the things I’ve seen and witnessed over the last week. I’ve had different clubs and pubs phoning me up – people with no connection to Leeds Rhinos, just genuinely good people wanting to contribute.
“There’s probably better people at the club to talk about collective spirit as they’ve had a generation of being together, I’ve only worked with Rob for the past 18 months.
“He’d definitely been a focal point and there was a lot of upset when the news broke but we hope it has a galvanising effect.
“But the response has been overwhelming.”
Wakefield, whose only points came from Lee Kershaw’s try, may be without George King for the start of the season after being stretchered off amid fears he broke his ankle.
Coach Chris Chester said: "It doesn’t look great. It is an ankle issue.
What is motor neurone disease?
Motor neurone disease is a rare condition.
About two in every 100,000 Brits develop it each year.
It affects specialist nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing the function of motor neurons to break down.
When this neurodegeneration occurs, everyday activities become increasingly difficult or completely impossible.
Over time, the condition progressively worsens as the muscle weakens and can visibly waste.
The majority of those diagnosed with the disease are given a three-year life expectancy starting from when they first notice the symptoms.
LATEST SPORT NEWS
“I think there’s some kind of break or fracture there.
“It looks like an indentation in his leg and he wouldn’t let the medical people touch his leg.”
*YOU can donate to the Rob Burrow Fund at www.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/robburrow