Rugby league legend and prominent MND campaigner Rob Burrow has collected his MBE, awarded in recognition of his outstanding achievement in both fields.
Rob was recognised in the Queen’s New Year Honours list in 2021 for ‘services to rugby and motor neurone disease (MND) awareness during COVID-19’.
Rob, a patron of the MNS Association, received his honour from HRH The Princess Royal at Windsor Castle, accompanied by his wife Lindsey.
Since his diagnosis of MND in 2019, Rob has dedicated himself to raising awareness of the condition, inspiring millions of pounds in fundraising from thousands of people across the country, with his friend and former Leeds Rhinos team-mate Kevin Sinfield undertaking a number of gruelling challenges to raise vital funds for MND research.
Speaking when he received his MBE, Rob said: “I’m shocked to be accepting the MBE award, it’s not something that was on the list of things that I wanted to achieve but I am absolutely honoured to receive this award.
“Any excuse to see my wife get dressed up in the dresses she deserves to be, I hope she enjoys the occasion like me.
“I’ve always got a kick out of giving close ones that experience like no other. It gives my Lindsey escapism from a normal day-to-day management of looking after me.
“I’m so proud to receive this because of my rugby and the awareness for MND, this most importantly means that MND continues to be talked about and keeping it in the public (eye).
“I’m blown away by the response to me getting the disease and I hope they know – it’s all for you.”
Sally Light, chief executive of the MND Association, said: “We are thrilled that Rob has received this well-deserved MBE.
“Since his diagnosis Rob has inspired thousands of people, both in and out of the ruby league community, to raise money and invaluable awareness of motor neurone disease.
“Rob has selflessly chosen to share his journey with MND with the world which has galvanised people into doing whatever they can to help find a cure for this brutal disease.
“We feel incredibly proud to have Rob as a Patron of the MND Association and I’d like to say a huge congratulations to Rob and his family on this special day.”
