The Prince of Wales has emotionally fulfilled a promise made to rugby league legend Rob Burrow, officially opening a pioneering new health centre dedicated to fighting Motor Neurone Disease in Leeds.
A Promise Honoured
Prince William was greeted with a warm embrace by Rob's widow, Lindsey Burrow, as he arrived at Seacroft Hospital to open the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease. This poignant moment came after the Prince had pledged to the late sportsman in January 2024, just months before his death at age 41, that he would open the facility.
The new world-leading centre, located at the Seacroft Hospital site in Leeds, is dedicated to the diagnosis, research, and care of motor neurone disease. It aims to transform the experience for patients and their families by providing comfortable and peaceful surroundings.
Legacy of a Sporting Hero
Rob Burrow CBE, who died in June 2024 after a four-and-a-half-year battle with MND, was honoured posthumously through this facility. The Prince had previously presented Burrow and his former teammate Kevin Sinfield with their CBEs in a surprise ceremony at Headingley Stadium in January 2024, recognising their extraordinary contributions to MND awareness and charity work.
Following Rob's diagnosis in December 2019, he and Sinfield embarked on remarkable fundraising efforts, generating more than £10 million for MND charities since 2019.
A Centre Built with Heart
Born from Rob's vision to create a place that treats patients as people rather than conditions, the centre represents a significant milestone in UK healthcare. It is the first purpose-built centre in the UK dedicated entirely to MND care, research, education, and holistic support.
The £6.8 million facility was made possible through an extensive fundraising campaign led by Leeds Hospitals Charity and Rob's consultant, Dr Agam Jung. The project received considerable support from Kevin Sinfield CBE, the wider Leeds Rhinos community, and countless donors inspired by Rob's courage.
During his visit, Prince William toured the new facility, spending time with patients, their families, and the dedicated staff who made the centre a reality. He also met with Rob's family, including his three children Macy, Maya, and Jackson, sharing personal moments of reflection on Rob's incredible legacy.
Motor Neurone Disease remains a life-shortening condition that damages motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord, leading to progressive muscle weakness. While there is no cure, centres like this aim to improve quality of life and accelerate research into effective treatments.
