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Rob Burrow funeral plans revealed - including poignant meaning behind date

29 June 2024 , 07:44
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The England legend and fearless campaigner passed away earlier this month after a long battle with motor neurone disease
The England legend and fearless campaigner passed away earlier this month after a long battle with motor neurone disease

ROB Burrow's funeral plans have been revealed, including the poignant meaning behind the date and a touching procession.

The Leeds Rhinos and England legend passed away on June 2 after a long battle with motor neurone disease (MND), aged just 41.

Rob Burrow's touching funeral plans have been revealed eiqrtiqzhiqerprw
Rob Burrow's touching funeral plans have been revealedCredit: Getty
The Leeds Rhinos and England legend died on June 2 after a long battle with MND
The Leeds Rhinos and England legend died on June 2 after a long battle with MNDCredit: PA
He spent his final years campaigning tirelessly, raising funds to one day cure the condition
He spent his final years campaigning tirelessly, raising funds to one day cure the conditionCredit: Getty

He died in hospital near his West Yorkshire home on the same day that ground was broken on a new centre for MND research in Leeds which is set to bear his name.

He revealed that he had been diagnosed with the devastating illness back in 2019.

In the five years following his revelation Burrow, along with former teammate and close friend Kevin Sinfield, campaigned tirelessly to raise awareness and funds to help MND charities.

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This included Sinfield running seven marathons in as many days in December 2020, raising over £1.7 million and culminating in a touching moment where he and Burrow crossed the finish line together.

Both were awarded CBEs in 2024 for their efforts.

During his illness, Burrow also formed a close friendship with former Scotland rugby union player and fellow MND campaigner Doddie Weir, who died in 2022.

Now, the plans for the sporting icon's funeral have been confirmed by his old club.

The Leeds Rhinos statement announced that he would be cremated in Pontefract in a private ceremony.

However, members of the public have been invited to line the streets on the route to the crematorium as a final send-off for the great man.

The service will take place on July 7, which the club celebrates as Rob Burrow Day to match his number 7 shirt.

Anyone wishing to pay their respects is asked to stand along the route from 1pm on that day.

The procession will pass along the A656 and A639, passing the local racecourse, before turning onto the B6133.

It will then pass the town's War Horse sculpture and slow as it passes Featherstone Lions ARLFC, Burrow's childhood club.

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The public are then asked to "leave this part of the journey" as the cars approach the crematorium to allow the Burrow family "a few moments to themselves" before the service.

Close pal Kevin Sinfield ran seven marathons in as many days, raising £1.7million and culminating in a touching moment with Burrow at the finish line
Close pal Kevin Sinfield ran seven marathons in as many days, raising £1.7million and culminating in a touching moment with Burrow at the finish lineCredit: PA
The pair received CBEs for their efforts in 2024
The pair received CBEs for their efforts in 2024Credit: AFP

Rhinos added that the family "politely request" members of the public not to send flowers, but instead to make a donation to the Rob Burrow Fund or the Leeds Hospitals Charity in his memory.

There will then be a civic ceremony honouring Burrow held by the Lord Mayor of Leeds and the city council from 11am on July 12.

It comes after Burrow's wife Lindsey paid an emotional tribute to her late husband, saying he "made the world a better place".

Elsewhere, current and former Rhinos players shared their memories of the club legend and explained how much he means to them.

The funeral will take place on July 7 in honour of his number 7 shirt
The funeral will take place on July 7 in honour of his number 7 shirtCredit: Rex
Members of the public have been invited to line the route to the Pontefract crematorium from 1pm on the day
Members of the public have been invited to line the route to the Pontefract crematorium from 1pm on the dayCredit: Rex
Mourners are asked not to send flowers but invited to donate to the Rob Burrow Fund or Leeds Hospitals Charity instead
Mourners are asked not to send flowers but invited to donate to the Rob Burrow Fund or Leeds Hospitals Charity insteadCredit: PA

Jacob Jaffa

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