A family-owned, independent bookshop in Roundhay has donated £3,500 to Leeds Hospitals Charity's appeal to build a specialist Motor Neurone Disease Centre in Rob Burrow’s name.

The money was raised through sales of Rob Burrow’s book ‘Too Many Reasons to Live’ and exclusive Christmas cards designed by Rob’s children Maya, Macy, and Jackson.

Owner of Philip Howard Books, Phil Caplan, who also supported Kevin Sinfield on his ‘Extra Mile’ challenge in November, paid tribute to those who brought the book and cards in such numbers:

“Rob’s story has captured the nation, we were honoured to have him and Lindsey here when the book was launched and posted copies out throughout the country, it was our best-selling title in the 22 years we’ve been in business. The local community were superb in their support, so it’s all thanks to them that we’re able to make this donation.”

Following the success of the Burrow family’s festive cards in 2020, they teamed up with the Leeds Rhinos Foundation, of whom Phil is chair of, and local printers, AB Printing Group Ltd to get the cards designed and produced.

Bob Bowman, CEO of Leeds Rhinos Foundation, said:

“Leeds Rhinos Foundation are proud to have been able to raise valuable funds, during both Christmas 2020 and 2021, for the MND Association and the Leeds Hospital Charity Rob Burrow MND centre appeal. The Christmas cards designed so beautifully by Rob and his children have proven to be extremely popular and hopefully, these funds that we were able to raise will get us closer to the target needed to get the centre built.

“Phil Caplan is a passionate and dedicated Chair of the Leeds Rhinos Foundation, but it also so gratifying to see how he and his wife Ros, through their shop, have raised such a fantastic amount of money for this cause through the energetic sale of both the Christmas cards and Rob’s inspirational book.”

Thanks to support from the people of Leeds, the nation, and across the world, Leeds Hospitals Charity has now raised over £1.6m to help bring the Rob Burrow Centre for MND to life.

Earlier this month, the first concept designs of the centre were released, including a central courtyard garden, large internal rooms with plenty of natural light and ample shared spaces for patients and their families and carers to relax before, during and after treatments.

Paul Watkins, Director of Fundraising at Leeds Hospitals Charity said:

“Since we launched the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease appeal in September, we’ve been absolutely amazed by the support we’ve received. We’re so grateful to Phil for rallying his local community together to raise funds, it just goes to show that a small group of people can have a huge impact.”