Train to be named after rugby star and MND campaigner Rob Burrow

Northern will name a train in honour of Rob Burrow, the Leeds Rhinos star who campaigned for motor neurone disease research before his death in June.

The train operator is working with Burrow’s family and the MND Association to design artwork for the tribute, which aims to raise awareness of motor neurone disease – a progressive neurological condition that damages the nerves controlling movement.

Burrow died aged 41 after a five-year campaign for MND research and support, alongside his former Leeds Rhinos teammate Kevin Sinfield.

Tricia Williams, managing director of Northern, said: “When we were asked to name a train after Rob, we agreed it was a fantastic opportunity to honour his legacy.

“With the support of his family and the MND Association, we are now working to make this happen.

“So many of us here at Northern were inspired by Rob’s indomitable spirit and his commitment to helping others suffering with this cruel disease.

“That’s why we want to pay tribute to this great man, and help raise awareness of MND and raise funding which can be used to help find a cure.”

The train will be unveiled later this year at a station in West Yorkshire and will operate daily across hundreds of miles on the Northern network.

During his 16-year career with Leeds Rhinos, Burrow won eight Super League Grand Finals, three World Club Challenges and two Challenge Cups.

Northern partnered with the MND Association in June, launching a ‘7 weeks of summer’ campaign that encourages its 7,000 staff to take part in fundraising activities.

These include seven organised walks covering 70 miles between towns and cities in the North which are home to Super League sides.

Jo Coker, director of income generation at the MND Association, said: “Rob was an inspiration both on and off the pitch – a man who showed real courage in sharing his diagnosis and opening up a conversation about MND which continues to this day.

“As one of the region’s most famous sons, naming a new train after him is a fantastic way to honour Rob’s life and legacy.

“As it travels through towns and cities, we hope it will spark many more conversations about Rob and about MND.”

Motor neurone disease causes progressive muscle weakness and wasting as the nerve cells that control movement stop working over time.

There is currently no cure, and the condition affects around 5,000 people in the UK at any given time.