Friends and loved ones gathered at a funeral reception to say their final goodbyes to Rob Burrow, the beloved Leeds Rhinos and England Rugby League star, who passed away on June 2 at the age of 41 after a courageous battle with motor neurone disease (MND).

Earlier in the month, hundreds of mourners lined the streets to pay their respects to Burrow. A civil reception was later held at Leeds Civic Hall to celebrate his life and legacy. The event, hosted by the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Abigail Marshall Katung, was attended by Rob’s family and about 180 guests, including former teammate Jamie Jones-Buchanan, MND Association CEO Tanya Curry, and Leeds City Council leader James Lewis.

Burrow, who lived in West Yorkshire, died in a hospital near his home just hours before the groundbreaking of a new MND research center named in his honor. On July 7, crowds wearing Leeds Rhinos shirts lined the streets to pay their respects as the cortege made its way to a private service. Junior players from Featherstone Lions ARLFC, where Rob once played junior rugby, also attended in their gear.

The cortege included five cars carrying Rob’s wife Lindsey, their three children Macy, Maya, and Jackson, as well as his sisters Joanne Hartshorne and Claire Burnett, and parents Geoff and Irene. The hearse was adorned with blue cloth and white flower bouquets spelling out “Dad,” “Bro,” and “Son.” The procession paused at Featherstone Lions’ ground, where a book of condolences was opened for people to sign.

Rob Burrow’s final message, shared posthumously, urged people not to “waste a moment” of their lives, stating, “In a world full of adversity we must still dare to dream.”

His wife, Lindsey Burrow, paid a heartfelt tribute, saying that Rob “made the world a better place.” Rob had been a tireless advocate for MND awareness since his diagnosis in 2019. In his memory, a close friend, Ian Flatt, who was also diagnosed with MND, has been climbing seven mountains in a wheelchair as a tribute to Rob’s indomitable spirit.