LAST GOODBYE
Hundreds of mourners turn out for Rob Burrow’s funeral as rugby league hero is laid to rest on poignant date
Burrow's loved ones, pals and former teammates have come together to say their final goodbyes
HUNDREDS of mourners this afternoon lined the streets to farewell rugby league legend Rob Burrow - clapping as his hearse passed by.
The Leeds Rhinos and England star died on June 2 after a long battle with motor neurone disease (MND), aged just 41.
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He died in hospital near his West Yorkshire home hours before ground was broken on a new centre for MND research - which is set to bear his name.
And today Burrow's loved ones, and mourners, said their final goodbyes.
Hundreds started lining the streets around midday to pay their respects as Burrow was driven to a private service.
The roads were coloured blue as seas of people donned their Leeds Rhino shirts, while junior players from Featherstone Lions ARLFC wore their kit, too.
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Many also proudly wore shirts with 'Burrow 7' printed on the back.
The star's hearse was escorted by a police motorbike as it drove past the masses.
Following behind was five cars carrying the rugby legend’s wife Lindsey, who he married in 2006, and their three children, Macy, Maya and Jackson.
Rob’s parents Geoff and Irene, and his sisters Joanne Hartshorne and Claire Burnett, were also part of the cortege.
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Bouquets of white flowers that read 'Dad', 'Bro', and 'Son' sat in the back with his coffin, which was draped in blue.
A photo of the star also sat inside, alongside his CBE.
I'm climbing seven peaks in honour of my mate and hero Rob Burrow
Mourners clapped as Burrow was driven past them, while others threw flowers onto the hearse.
His cortege paused for a moment at Featherstone Lions' ground, where the star played junior rugby, and a book of condolence was opened for mourners to sign.
Life-long Leeds Rhinos fan John Germaine, 79, who paid tribute from the roadside, described Rob as a “gentleman and a fine bloke” and told the BBC nobody will go down in history like him.
Burrow was 'one in a million'
By Gary Carter
Rob Burrow has provided hundreds of thousands more reasons why he truly was one in a million.
For a six-figure sum of funds has been donated to causes associated with the rugby league legend since he passed away.
Thousands of well-wishers are expected to line the route as his funeral cortege travels through his home area in West Yorkshire, where he first played as a kid, today.
But in a symbol of his work in raising funds for treatment of and awareness of motor neurone disease (MND), which he lived with for four-and-a-half years, hundreds of thousands of pounds have flooded in since he died on Sunday, June 2.
Within 48 hours, the MND Association reported more than £150,000 had been donated to their cause, while a fund set up to support his family is almost at that mark.
And the Leeds Hospitals Charity – which is spearheading the building of the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease, which started at the city’s Seacroft Hospital the day after his death, says more than £250,000 has been donated to the appeal since his passing, taking that to more than £6.2million – making the accumulated total at least £500,000.
Burrow's former Leeds captain, big mate Kevin Sinfield, who has flown back from England RU's New Zealand tour to be there today, has raised millions for MND charities with four physical challenges - and a fifth taking place in December.
And as the target of £6.8m for the centre nears, celebrities including RU legend Mike Tindall and athletics icon Dame Kelly Holmes have donated items for the ‘Dare To Dream’ online auction.
Lots include tickets for England v Finland in football’s Nations League, Super League’s Magic Weekend at Elland Road and a limited-edition England Rugby Union Shirt, signed by the 2003 winning World Cup squad.
Outside sport, comedian Jon Richardson has donated a Countdown teapot, two tickets to a TV show screening and the chance to be a guest on his podcast Down the Dog.
He said: “When I was asked to help with fundraising for Rob’s MND centre, I was terrified I would be asked to run 10 marathons in a week, so I’m obviously delighted to be asked to simply offer up an auction prize while Sir Kev does the proper graft.
“We are just at the dawn of Rob’s legacy and it’s an honour to play even a small role in what will be years and years of life-changing work that was enabled by the strength and personality and drive of this incredible man.”
The auction runs until Thursday and all profits will go towards the appeal to build the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease.
Burrow’s wife Lindsey, a patron of Leeds Hospitals Charity, said: “Rob made a lot of friends and always made an impact on people when he met them.
“It’s amazing that so many of our podcast guests and other celebrities we’ve met have come together to donate these incredible prizes for the MND Centre Appeal.
“I’m so grateful to everyone who’s helping to make this centre a reality.”
A private funeral will take place at Pontefract Crematorium today,with the seventh of the seventh being designated as Rob Burrow Day because of the iconic number seven shirt he wore.
Starting in neighbouring Castleford, well-wishers have been asked to be in position by the roadside from 1pm after a route was made public.
It will slow for a moment at Featherstone Lions ARLFC’s ground and again near to where the 41-year-old played his junior rugby.
The pensioner’s grandson Charlie, 14, said: “He was the most selfless man. He was an inspiration to us all.”
Well-wisher Mandy Cantrell, from Killingbeck, said she wanted to “honour a legend”, adding: “He’s a king amongst kings and he’s going to be up there.”
The date of his funeral - July 7 - was picked for his service as it is when the club celebrates Rob Burrow Day to match his number 7 shirt.
In a poignant final message, which he asked to be shared after his death, he urged people not to "waste a moment" of their lives.
Burrow said: "In a world full of adversity we must still dare to dream."
The dad-of-three, who was diagnosed with MND in 2019, has long campaigned for the cause.
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In the five years following his revelation Burrow, along with former teammate and close friend Kevin Sinfield, campaigned tirelessly to raise awareness and funds to help MND charities.
This included Sinfield running seven marathons in as many days in December 2020, raising over £1.7million and culminating in a touching moment where he and Burrow crossed the finish line together.
Both were awarded CBEs in 2024 for their efforts.
Sinfield was seen walking hand-in-hand with his wife Jayne as they entered Pontefract Crematorium today.
The star, who was dressed in black, appeared emotional.
Mourners were invited to pay their respects by lining the route from 1pm.
Who was rugby league legend Rob Burrow?
Burrow was born on September 26, 1982, in Pontefract, West Yorkshire.
He joined Leeds Rhinos as a 19-year-old and played his entire 16-year career with the club, competing in close to 500 games.
Rob won the Challenge Cup on two occasions and also won the Super League a whopping eight times with Leeds Rhinos.
Burrow was also selected to play for England at the Rugby League World Cup in Australia in 2008.
The scrum-half then decided to retire in 2017, bringing to a close his glittering Rhinos career, before he was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2020.
The procession will pass along the A656 and A639, passing the local racecourse, before turning onto the B6133.
It will then pass the town's War Horse sculpture and slow as it passes Featherstone Lions ARLFC, Burrow's childhood club.
The public are then asked to "leave this part of the journey" as the cars approach the crematorium to allow the Burrow family "a few moments to themselves" before the service.
Rhinos added that the family "politely request" members of the public not to send flowers, but instead to make a donation to the Rob Burrow Fund or the Leeds Hospitals Charity in his memory.
It comes after Burrow's wife Lindsey paid an emotional tribute to her late husband, saying he "made the world a better place".
Elsewhere, current and former Rhinos players shared their memories of the club legend and explained how much he means to them.
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It was the club that announced Burrow's death on June 2.
It said in a heartbreaking statement: "It is with deep sadness that the club can confirm that former player Rob Burrow CBE has passed away, aged 41.
"Rob inspired the entire country with his brave battle against Motor Neurone Disease (MND) since his diagnosis in December 2019.
"He passed away peacefully at Pinderfield's Hospital near his home surrounded by his loving family after becoming ill earlier this week.
"Burrow played his entire career with Leeds Rhinos and won every honour with the club as part of their golden generation.
"A hard working and dedicated player, his fearless performances made him one of the most respected players in the Rhinos ranks.
Who is Rob Burrow's wife Lindsey?
Lindsey Burrow is a physiotherapist and the wife of the late rugby star Rob Burrow.
The couple were the subject of BBC2 documentary Rob Burrow: Living with MND.
She opens up about caring for her wheelchair-bound husband in the emotional ITV1 documentary.
In 2023, Lindsey took part in the first-ever Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon.
Co-founded by Rob and his former Leeds Rhinos teammate Kevin Sinfield, the marathon aims to raise awareness for MND (motor neurone disease)
The couple got together when they were just 15 years old.
They have three young children together: two daughters and a son.
The couple’s eldest and younger daughters are Macy and Maya, respectively, while their son is called Jackson.
Lindsey has said that she knew from the "very beginning that I wanted to spend the rest of my life" with Rob.
The childhood sweethearts finally tied the knot in 2006.
Their marriage was a happy one but was hit by tragedy in December 2019 when Rob was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.
Speaking on their ITV documentary Lindsey & Rob: Living With MND, Lindsey vowed to continue looking after her beloved husband 'while I'm physically able'.
Rob later told BBC Breakfast: "I'm trying not to be soppy but some of the things that Lindsey does for me is proof I've found my one and only.
"I've played with some strong players in my rugby career but no one is as strong a personality than Lindsey.
"I hope that will inspire people to be more like her...what a world that would be."
"Rob rose through the club's academy ranks to make his debut in 2001.
"In 2004, he was part of the Leeds team that ended a 32-year wait to win the Championship with victory in the Grand Final.
"It was the first of eight Grand Final wins for Burrow including winning the man of the match award in the 2007 and 2011 Old Trafford showpieces.
"The 2011 game included his breathtaking try that is still regarded as the greatest Grand Final try ever scored.
"In total he made 492 appearances for the club, placing him in fifth in the club's all-time list of career appearances. He scored 196 tries for a total of 1,103 points.
"He was capped 15 times by England and played five more tests for Great Britain including a Man of the Series performance in 2007 for the national side.
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"He won the Challenge Cup at Wembley in 2014 and 2015 as well as three World Club Challenges and three League Leaders Shields.
"Following his MND diagnosis in December 2019, Burrow and his family took the decision to open their doors to show the impact of the disease and raise awareness and funds for the MND community.
"Since then Burrow has inspired two award-winning documentaries, wrote a best selling autobiography, hosted an award-winning podcast and was awarded a CBE from HRH Prince William at AMT Headingley in January 2023.
"Along with his friend and former team-mate Kevin Sinfield, Burrow has inspired nearly £20m in fundraising across the UK and Ireland.
"This has included raising over £6m to build the Rob Burrow Centre for MND in Leeds as a lasting legacy for those who follow him in their own personal battles with the disease.
"On behalf of the Burrow family, we would like to thank the staff at Pindersfield Hospital for their compassion and caring for Rob in his final days.
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"Fittingly, as a tribute to the incredible work done by Rob, the groundbreaking of the new Rob Burrow Centre for MND at Seacroft Hospital on Monday will go ahead as planned at Rob's request.
"At this time, we would ask that everyone respect the privacy of the Burrow family."
Rob Burrow's final days
By Adam Hathaway
Kevin Sinfield revealed he got a ‘big smile’ from best mate Rob Burrow when he paid a heartbreaking final visit just days before his death.
The England rugby union defence coach will head home from the tour to New Zealand for his friend’s funeral.
Burrow, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in December 2019, died earlier this month aged 41.
The funeral takes place in Pontefract a week tomorrow, which means Sinfield will miss next week’s opener against the All Blacks in Dunedin with the blessing of head coach Steve Borthwick.
He will then return to New Zealand to help prepare England for the Second Test against the All Blacks on July 13.
Sinfield, 43, said: “That weekend was tough. I got to see him on the Thursday before he passed.
“We had broken from camp. I knew he was poorly, but I walked in to see him and I got a big smile which was brilliant.
“I’ll be home for two days then I’ll be back out here getting ready for the Second Test. Steve has been wonderfully supportive.
“Apart from being at home with family this is probably the best place for me to be. Rob would want me to be here and be part of this. He would want me to be supporting the guys.
“Rob passed on a Sunday afternoon and on Monday we were in camp before we went out to Japan. At that point you want to be with family and friends and on Monday morning, before I travelled down, I was at the site where the Rob Burrow MND Centre is going to be. They put the first spade in the ground, and his mum and dad were there and his sisters.”
Sinfield has led the charge in the fight against MND, raising more than £7million with a series of ultra-running challenges.
But the rugby league legend admits he wishes he could have been at more of the tributes to Burrow at various sporting events and hailed the supportive England squad.
Sinfield joined Red Rose players packing food parcels at an Auckland volunteer centre run by ex-All Blacks star Sir Michael Jones on Thursday.
He said: “It’s been really good to get away and have time to reflect. The lads have been fantastic in my time working with them . . . they’ve shown compassion and care for me that won’t go unnoticed.
“There are a lot of things I have missed over the last few weeks. We were at the Premiership final, where they did a wonderful job with the tribute to Rob and the FA did a wonderful job earlier that week.
“Then at the Challenge Cup final there was a big tribute. There was a big tribute last week at the Rhinos game, there was an MND round in Super League. There are some bits I would like to have been there to witness.”
Burrow’s funeral is a private affair but thousands are expected to line the Pontefract streets.
Sinfield said: “People might know where it is and come and stand outside, but there’s only about 100 people who have been asked to attend. The rest will be asked to line the streets, which I’m sure they will.”