BBC Breakfast’s Dan Walker and Sally Nugent, the Strictly Come Dancing pro Nadiya Bychkova, and Line of Duty star Nigel Boyle, were just some of the celebrities taking part in a glitzy fundraiser in aid of the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease (MND).  

The Burrow Strictly Ball was the idea of the Rugby League legend’s sisters, Joanne Hartshorne and Claire Burnett. The pair hosted the star-studded night at Headingley Stadium on 19 March to raise funds towards the £5m appeal for Leeds Hospitals Charity to build the bespoke centre for MND.

Joanne said: “To see the smile on Rob’s face was brilliant. It was such a special and fun night. Everyone who took part were such good sports and so dedicated to raising as much money as possible for the Leeds Hospitals Charity to build a new Rob Burrow Centre for MND. Everyone knows how important this centre is to Rob to help others, and their loved ones, facing this devastating diagnosis and disease.”

Rob was diagnosed with MND in 2019, and since then his family has worked tirelessly to help raise awareness and funds for the Leeds Hospitals Charity’s appeal.

BBC Breakfast presenter Dan Walker and his Strictly partner, Nadiya Bychkova, were judges on the night and performed a special showstopping dance. They were joined by fellow Strictly contestant and Emmerdale star, Kelvin Fletcher, and comedian Jon Richardson. Charles Hanson from BBC’s Bargain Hunt hosted a live auction on the night. The event is expected to raise £100,000.

Since The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease appeal launched in September 2021, £1.87 million has been raised, thanks to support from the people of Leeds, the UK and beyond.

The bespoke centre will see all MND services housed under one roof for the first time. Patients will have access to a range of holistic support tailored to their needs, from speech and language therapy, to diet and nutrition advice, and physiotherapy.

Over 400 tickets were sold for the event, including to major businesses.

Comperes for the evening included BBC Look North’s Tanya Arnold and Danika Priim, who plays for the ladies Leeds Rhinos team.  As well as a rugby player, Danika is a classically trained ballet dancer. Dancers included football coach and former player Brian Deane, Leeds Rhinos Legend Barrie McDermott, and Leeds Hospitals Charity’s ambassador, TV’s Dr Amir Khan.

Leeds Hospitals Charity is the charity of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. It supports Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds Children’s Hospital, Leeds Cancer Centre, St James’s University Hospital, Chapel Allerton Hospital, Seacroft Hospital, Wharfedale Hospital and Leeds Dental Institute.

Dr Khan said: “Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is one of the biggest hospitals in the UK. Leeds Hospitals Charity raises crucial funds to support research, equipment and buildings to support NHS staff to deliver the best care for over a million patients and their families each year, so being ambassador is a role I am very proud of. The new Rob Burrow Centre for MND will make a huge difference to patients’ lives, their families and loved ones.”

To see more great photos from the event, please visit our Facebook page - simply search "Leeds Hospitals Charity".

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You can access the full recording of the eleven celebrities dancing at The Burrow Strictly Ball by making a donation at the link below:

Watch the event here