Rob Burrow has already had a “transformational” affect on motor neurone disease patients and their families, the MND Associatio n has said. Richard Evans, director of engagement at the charity, said that children and young people especially are benefiting from the increase in support services funded by Burrow and his former Leeds Rhinos teammate Kevin Sinfield . The pair raised more than £8m before Burrow died on Sunday at the age of 41 , following a lengthy battle with motor neurone disease.
Mr Evans said the money, which has been spread across several charities, including the MND Association, has made many practical day-to-day differences to people’s lives. “Some of that money has gone to support services for children and young people in particular, helping them to cope with a diagnosis of MND within the family. Also in care centres and networks to improve multidisciplinary care, so care is co-ordinated around the individual,” he said.
“We’ve also invested in our support line so people affected by MND can call. We’ve invested some money in a research nurse network which, when we get it all up and running, will help people with MND to access clinical trials and understand what trials might be open to them. We’ve also funded more research as well to try and understand better the biology of MND.
” Burrow lived in the public eye with the disease after choosing to announce his diagnosis shortly before Christmas 2019 . He used every opportunity to raise awaren.
