2000th UK Point of Light
2000. Rob Burrow
Rob Burrow MBE, from Leeds, is the UK's 2000th Point of Light.
As a rugby league player, Rob made nearly 500 appearances for the Leeds Rhinos between 2001 and 2017, winning eight Super League championships. Just two years after his retirement, he revealed a devastating diagnosis of MND in December 2019, but despite his physical decline Rob has raised awareness, including through a documentary with the BBC showing the impact of the disease on himself and his family. He has also inspired the creation of a Rob Burrow Day (7 July) led by Leeds Rhinos, and has been at the forefront of the design of a new £5m cutting-edge MND centre in Leeds, which will be the first of its kind in the UK to be based around the holistic needs of MND patients and their families. Rob’s awareness-raising has been matched by a fundraising drive from his old Rhinos team Kevin Sinfield OBE, who has completed multiple marathon challenges in Rob’s name to raise over £7m for MND charities. The inaugural Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon is due to take place in May this year, with over 10,000 people signed up to take part and raise further funds for his Leeds Hospitals Charity Appeal.
Watch the Prime Minister present Rob with his award, and Rob’s response to receiving the award:
'You've been absolutely extraordinary'
Rishi Sunak praised Rob Burrow for his campaign on MND as her presented the rugby league legend with an award in Downing Street
Watch 'Living With MND' here https://t.co/RCFIolnkDS pic.twitter.com/sXQvpR1C2T
— BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) March 7, 2023
'I would like to thank the Prime Minister for this award'
Rugby League legend Rob Burrow has received the 2,000th Points of Light award at an event in Downing Street.
He told the Prime Minister it was recognition for all those living with MND
https://t.co/RCFIolmMOk pic.twitter.com/Uk63riN39V— BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) March 7, 2023