Rob Burrow's father dies after short illness

The father of rugby league star and Motor Neurone Disease (MND) campaigner Rob Burrow has died after a short illness, Leeds Rhinos has announced.

In a statement, the club said it was "with deep sadness that the club has learnt of the passing on Monday of Geoff Burrow after a period of ill health".

The club paid tribute to Leeds-born Burrow, saying he had been a "tireless campaigner" for the MND community following Rob's diagnosis with the disease in December 2019, and continued to do so after his son's death in June 2024.

"A devoted husband, father and a grandfather, Geoff brought Rob to his first ever game at Headingley and started his love of the Rhinos," the statement said.

The club added: "Geoff was always a champion for those who did not have a voice throughout his career as a trade union representative.

"The club would like to pass on our deepest condolences to Geoff's wife Irene and the Burrow family at this sad time."

Jamie Jones-Buchanan, a former Leeds Rhinos player and the club's current chief executive, said Burrow was "always there" with them at matches.

"He loved rugby league. He loved what Rob did and he was part of the team, always will be," he said.

"He'll always be part of our history, our heritage."

Last November, Burrow attended the opening of the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease at Seacroft Hospital in Leeds.

At the time, he said the fact the facility had become a reality proved "dreams come true".

The £6.8m centre was funded through donations to the Leeds Hospitals Charity, with much of the cash raised with the help of a campaign spearheaded by the rugby league player's friend and former team-mate Kevin Sinfield.

Following the centre's opening, Burrow said the centre was "not just for MND sufferers and their families, but for all the staff. The staff are marvellous, they're angels".

Reacting to the news of Burrow's death, Craige Richardson, director of estates and facilities at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "We are really sorry to hear the news about Geoff Burrow.

"Geoff played a huge role in the development of the new Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease.

"He came to every stakeholder and development meeting over the two years, and he championed all the work taking place to build the centre.

"He had so much energy and enthusiasm to help create a legacy for Rob and support the MND community."

Richardson added that it was "a significant moment to share Geoff and Irene's first view of the new centre when it opened".

"He loved it and he was incredibly proud. That will stay with us all," he said.

"His passion for research and to find a cure for MND is something we will continue as a trust, as the centre progresses its first research projects this year.

"Our thoughts are with Irene and the entire Burrow family."

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