Rob Burrow receives MBE for services to rugby and Motor Neurone Disease

Leeds Rhinos legend and Leeds Hospitals Charity patron Rob Burrow was made an MBE in the 2021 New Year Honours list.

Rob, who was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in 2019, spent 16 years playing for Leeds Rhinos and picked up the honour from Princess Anne, in a ceremony held at Windsor Castle.

Rob has been made an MBE for services to rugby league and the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) community.

Since the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Appeal launched in September 2021, over £2m has been raised, thanks to support from the people of Leeds, the UK and beyond.

The unit, for which around £5m is needed, 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.

Rob said: “It is truly humbling to be awarded the MBE and I would like to thank everyone who has made this possible. 2020 has taught us all to appreciate the gifts we have and it is my honour and privilege to accept this award on behalf of all the MND community.”

“It is a great occasion for my family as well. Any excuse to see my wife get dressed up, she deserves to get it for the wonderful support she gives me and our family. I hope that she enjoys the occasion like me."

The Rob Burrow Centre for MND Centre Appeal

Donate to the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Appeal Today

Help us raise £6.8 million to build a specialist Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Care Centre in Leeds, to give people living with MND the best quality of life.

Latest

Charity funded scanner helps improve outcomes for skin cancer patients in Yorkshire

Thanks to generous donations from the people of Leeds, we reached our target to purchase this innovative technology, helping to detect the recurrence or spread of melanoma quicker for skin cancer patients.
Donations enable stroke team to integrate technology into patient speech and language rehabilitation

“The iPads have not only enabled our staff to provide new and more engaging ways of working with patients, they have also encouraged patients to drive their own recovery with our support and guidance."
Rays of Hope funding enables expert training for doctors in Uganda

Funding from our linked charity Rays of Hope enabled experts from Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust to attend a training camp at a hospital in Uganda.
North of England Activities and Training - NHS Charities Together

Leeds Hospitals Charity facilitated over £22,000 from NHS Charities Together for NEAT to help support a 2-year project focusing on mental health through outdoor experience and an outdoor leadership training scheme.

Charity funded scanner helps improve outcomes for skin cancer patients in Yorkshire

Thanks to generous donations from the people of Leeds, we reached our target to purchase this innovative technology, helping to detect the recurrence or spread of melanoma quicker for skin cancer patients.
Donations enable stroke team to integrate technology into patient speech and language rehabilitation

“The iPads have not only enabled our staff to provide new and more engaging ways of working with patients, they have also encouraged patients to drive their own recovery with our support and guidance."
Rays of Hope funding enables expert training for doctors in Uganda

Funding from our linked charity Rays of Hope enabled experts from Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust to attend a training camp at a hospital in Uganda.
North of England Activities and Training - NHS Charities Together

Leeds Hospitals Charity facilitated over £22,000 from NHS Charities Together for NEAT to help support a 2-year project focusing on mental health through outdoor experience and an outdoor leadership training scheme.
Fundraiser living with MND calls on public to raise final £1.2 million to build MND centre in Leeds

“Now the concept designs of the new centre have been released, a lot of people assume that the fundraising for the appeal is complete. However, there is still £1.2 million left to make this centre a reality. Now, more than ever we need donations to help the charity make that final push over the finish line."
Funding Newsletter - April 2024

Launching our new 2024/25 Funding Programme, plus examples of previously funded applications and an insight into the impact of our funding for 2023/24.
Celebrities put on their dancing shoes for Rob Burrow at Blackpool Strictly Ball fundraiser

This year, celebrities will follow in the footsteps of Strictly Come Dancing stars as they take to the floor at the iconic Winter Gardens Empress Ballroom in Blackpool.
Laugh in the Face of Cancer raises over £500,000 for Leeds Hospitals Charity

Over the last nine years, Lowell colleague Elizabeth Long, along with her husband Jordan, have organised the event to raise funds for Leeds Hospitals Charity after Elizabeth’s sister was diagnosed with cancer.
Our Eid Wish List is now LIVE!

Buy a special gift from our Wish List for a poorly child spending Eid in hospital this year.
How we award funding is changing

Staff across all hospitals will have the opportunity to apply for funding in response to themed calls in areas such as innovation, patient experience, research into tackling health inequalities and education.