The UK's first purpose-built centre dedicated to Motor Neurone Disease care opened Monday at Seacroft Hospital in Leeds. The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease was made possible through a £6.8 million fundraising campaign involving more than 17,000 donors over three years. The facility honours rugby league legend Rob Burrow, who died in June 2024 aged 41 after a four-and-a-half-year battle with the disease.
Rob Burrow's family attended the opening ceremony, with his wife Lindsey and son Jackson cutting the ribbon. Lindsey Burrow told BBC Breakfast: «It's a really special day. Just incredibly proud to be here, to have so many of the staff that work at the centre and the patients here, it's such an honour to be here.» She added: «This is the flagship centre but, hopefully, other centres will open. This is the first of its kind in the UK. To have this centre here in Leeds is incredibly special in Rob's name.» Daughter Macy said: «It's just incredible, and we're all really proud, and I know my dad would be immensely proud.»
The fundraising appeal launched in September 2021 exceeded expectations. Esther Wakeman, chief executive of Leeds Hospitals Charity, said: «When we launched the fundraising appeal with Dr Jung and the Burrow family in September 2021, we could have never imagined the outpouring of support it would receive, from right across the country.» Former Leeds Rhinos teammate Kevin Sinfield played a key role through multiple fundraising challenges, continuing his efforts this year.
Vision Realised
The centre originated from a shared vision between Rob Burrow and his consultant Dr Agam Jung five years ago. Dr Jung, now director of the centre, said: «It has been five years since the germination of the idea to build this centre - a legacy of Rob's strength, his family's support, and the compassion of an entire community.» He emphasised that the centre embodies Burrow's ethos of "Living in the Now", focusing on providing the best care for patients and families to do just that.
Sally Hughes, director of services and partnerships at the MND Association, described the opening as a moment that «marks a transformative moment in care for people with MND in Leeds and across West Yorkshire.» The purpose-built facility will provide a supportive environment for everyone affected by the disease. Construction was completed in less than 18 months, with the ground-breaking ceremony taking place on the day news of Rob Burrow's death was announced.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
