20 September 2024 News
The extraordinary achievements of rugby league legend Rob Burrow CBE were recognised at the JustGiving Awards in London on Thursday night.
Rob, who died from motor neurone disease (MND) in June, was posthumously awarded a Special Recognition Award to honour the millions of pounds he has raised for the MND Association and other MND charities, alongside his family and his best friend and former Leeds Rhinos teammate, Kevin Sinfield CBE. The award also paid tribute to Rob’s incredible achievements in helping to raise awareness of MND while inspiring a nation.
Accepting the award from Association patron, Charlotte Hawkins, on behalf of Rob and the Burrow family, Rob’s wife Lindsey said: “So many people have been inspired by Rob’s story and have done their own fundraising. Whether that be from having non-uniform days at school and bake sales and doing their own 7 in 7 challenges. The legacy Rob leaves behind his huge, I think. I know Rob would be incredibly proud to receive this Special Recognition Award.”
It was an emotional night too for fundraiser Sam Perkins who was presented with the Outstanding Commitment Award.
Sam, who was diagnosed with MND in 2019, set-up his own charity Stand Against MND, partnering with the MND Association on important research at the University of Nottingham. The team there is conducting research which looks at MND mechanisms to speed up the search for new treatments.
Accepting the award on behalf of the ‘the entire MND community’ Sam said: “As of June 2024, Stand Against MND has raised over £260,000. I'm just a normal man with a horrible disease doing some eccentric things to try and get some attention. That people want to join me on that journey is marvellous.”
There was recognition too for Team Corinne, who were finalists in the Fundraising Team of the Year category. After Corinne was diagnosed with MND aged just 42, her friends, family and colleagues have taken part in a number of challenges and events raising more than £32,000.
Chief Executive of the MND Association Tanya Curry said it had been ‘an incredible night’.
She said: “It was a huge honour to attend the JustGiving Awards and to hear the stories of people who do such extraordinary things to support charities just like ours.
“People like Sam, Rob and the Burrow family and Team Corinne really are the best of us, finding passion, determination and strength of spirit - often in the most difficult of circumstances – to turn the spotlight onto causes and conditions like MND, helping to push us further and inspiring us to do even more to support those affected by this devastating disease. We are truly grateful for everything they have done and continue to do to support us.
“To see Rob and his family recognised in this way was a very special moment for all of us. Rob’s memory continues to shine brightly, and I know that his legacy will inspire us – and the wider MND community – long into the future.”
Images courtesy or JustGiving