Lindsey Burrow has revealed one of the most personal things Rob left behind before his death – a voice message recorded for her to hear, in which he urged her to find happiness again.
Rob recorded messages for Lindsey and their three children using specialist voice equipment after losing the ability to speak as motor neurone disease (MND) took hold. Lindsey initially dreaded listening to the message intended for her, fearing it would be too painful, but has now taken that difficult step, hearing words of love from the man she had spent most of her life with. He told her to move on with her life and find happiness again in the future.
‘Rob was the love of my life’
Lindsey and Rob met at school as teenagers, beginning a relationship that would last for decades. Their world changed in December 2019, when Rob was diagnosed with MND at the age of 37. The disease gradually stripped away his physical abilities but could not diminish his determination to make a difference or the closeness of his family.
Asked by the Mirror whether she could ever imagine finding love again, Lindsey firmly shook her head and said: "As long as the children are happy, I'm happy. Rob was the love of my life. No one will ever take his place."
Speaking to the Telegraph, Lindsey explained that finding another relationship was not something she was considering, with her focus firmly on their children, Macy, Maya and Jackson. "I don't think about that," she said. "People do say to me, 'I hope you move on,' but it's not about that. My priority is the children, first and foremost. I don't know what the future holds but [finding love again] is not on my agenda."
The children are yet to listen to the messages Rob recorded for them. "It felt too raw at the time. But I feel bad now. I know when the time is right, they will listen to them. There's never pity. They just get on with life," Lindsey said.
Keeping Rob’s memory alive
Since Rob’s death in June 2024, Lindsey has continued to speak openly about the experience of losing her husband while raising their children. She has explained that grief can arrive without warning, but she is determined to honour the promise she made to Rob by continuing to live life to the full.
"Not a day goes by when I don’t think about him and talk about him. Rob was so positive in his lifetime. He wanted us to be happy. He showed us how to live life in the moment – and now I cope by not thinking about the future," she told the Mirror.
Rob remains a constant presence in the family home. Their children have memory jars they look through regularly, and they continue to talk about their father every day. Reflecting on their life together, Lindsey said: "I made Rob a promise that we'd keep living life to the full. And we're doing that. But you have good and bad days. You can be driving, a song comes on that reminds you of Rob and the grief just hits you. We were married for 17 years, we started dating as teenagers. Rob probably knew me better than I knew myself."
Lindsey takes on 80-mile challenge for Children in Need
Lindsey’s determination to help others has continued through her own fundraising efforts. She has announced she will take on an 80-mile challenge for Children in Need, pushing the BBC’s famous red sofa across Yorkshire alongside BBC Look North presenter Amy Garcia. The challenge is due to take place over five days, from November 9 to 13.
Lindsey said: "I like to take part in fundraising, and to be able to support Children in Need with the incredible work that they do and support the charities, is just really special."
Last week, Lindsey was recognised alongside three other women whose families have been affected by MND. She joined Annie Moody, Kathy Weir and Joanne Slater in receiving the Campaigning Champions Award at the Women of the Year Awards. Their husbands – Rob, former England rugby international Lewis Moody, Scottish rugby great Doddie Weir and former Gloucester player Ed Slater – have all been affected by the disease.
Speaking about the recognition, the four women said: "Work like this is simply what anyone in our shoes would do. Being part of this ceremony and surrounded by such incredible support is girl power at its finest."
Women of the Year chair Diane Kenwood said: "Lindsey, Annie, Kathy and Joanne have transformed unimaginable suffering into a powerful movement for change. By speaking out with such honesty and compassion, these women have helped shift the conversation around MND, reminding us of the urgent need for greater awareness, understanding and action. These women’s remarkable courage, determination and commitment to making a difference embody everything the Women of the Year Campaigning Champions Award stands for. It is an honour and a real privilege to recognise their achievements."
Rob’s campaigning helped bring unprecedented attention to MND, inspiring fundraising efforts and increasing public understanding of a condition that affects movement, speech and, ultimately, the ability to breathe. His legacy continues through the work of campaigners, researchers and families who have been encouraged to speak out because of the example he and Lindsey set.
