Rob Burrow's widow joins MND fundraiser's trek for centre in Leeds

Rob Burrow's widow has revealed she is doing 'good' as she joined an MND patient's trek to raise money for an centre in his memory.

The late rugby league star's wife Lindsey provided an update on how she is coping with the loss of her husband after he passed away earlier this month following a five year battle with Motor Neurone Disease.

The mother-of-three spoke to the BBC while taking part in a fundraising campaign led by Ian Flat, who is raising money for an MND centre in Rob's memory by attempting to climb seven mountains in the UK in three weeks.

Lindsey told reporters: 'Yeah, I'm good, good. The kids are keeping me busy and they're obviously my priority now.'

She added that she is keen 'to look after the children and make sure that they're looked after and are brought up just exactly as Rob would want them to be.'

Rob Burrow's widow is seen speaking to the BBC while taking part in a fundraising campaign led by Ian Flat where has revealed she is doing 'good' following Rob's death

Rob Burrow's wife, Lindsey Burrow and their children Jackson, Maya and Macy arrive at the Leeds Rhino's stadium to lay flowers after Rob's death

Rob Burrow passed away earlier this month at the age of 41 following a five year battle with Motor Neurone Disease

Mr Flatt was diagnosed with MND in 2019, just two months before Burrow received his diagnosis.

The 58-year-old is seeking to raise money for the new Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease in Leeds which is currently being built.

The build is expected to take about a year and the charity remains focused on raising the last £1million of their £6million target to get it up and running.

Mr Flatt, who uses a wheelchair and relies on a ventilator for up to 18 hours a day, previously climbed up Snowdon in 2022, completed a 100-mile trek last year and has also conquered two marathons.

In his latest challenge, he is seeking to climb the seven highest mountains across England, Scotland and Wales in just three weeks.

He has already ticked off Whernside in Yorkshire after scaling the peak on Saturday and is today attempting to climb Wild Boar Fell in the Yorkshire Dales.

Mr Flatt will then take on Snowdon on June 21, Pen-y-Fan in Wales on June 25, Ben Chonzie in Scotland on June 29, Skiddaw in the Lake District on July 3 and Roseberry Topping in Yorkshire on July 7.

He has so far raised £9,095 towards his fundraising target.

Mr Flatt is pictured speaking to reporters on the Whernside mountain in Yorkshire on Saturday

Mr Flatt is joined by dozens of supporters as he attempts to scale the Whernside mountain in Yorkshire on Saturday

Mr Flatt, who uses a wheelchair and relies on a ventilator for up to 18 hours a day, previously climbed up Snowdon in 2022

Two years after his retirement in 2017, Burrow revealed his MND diagnosis and began fundraising and campaigning to raise awareness of the disease and to improve care and research.

He spearheaded a £6.8 million charity appeal for Leeds Hospitals Charity, where he received care, for a purpose-built care centre for those with MND living in and around the city.

His best friend Kevin Sinfield, who played with Rob during his time at Leeds Rhinos, had worked with his former teammate since 2019 to raise awareness of MND and had raised more than £15million for charity in that time.

Following his death Kevin penned a heartfelt tribute to his former teammate: 'Today was the day that I hoped would never come. The world has lost a great man and a wonderful friend to so so many.

'You fought so bravely until the end and became a beacon of hope and inspiration, not only for the MND community but for all those who saw and heard your story.

'My love and thoughts go out to your beautiful family, Lindsey, Macy, Maya, and Jackson, to your lovely parents Geoff and Irene, sisters Joanne and Claire and your wider family and friends.

'You will continue to inspire me every single day. I have lost a dear friend and I will never forget the special times we shared both on and off the pitch. I would always say that you were pound for pound the toughest player I ever played alongside, however, since your diagnosis, you were the toughest and bravest man I have ever met.

'The last 4 and a half years you showed the world what living and loving looked like and this was always done with the biggest smile on your face.

'I will miss you my little mate. All my love, Kev.'

The MND Association, a charity for which Rob and Kevin raised millions of pounds following his diagnosis, also paid tribute.

Prince William meets Rob Burrow to congratulate him for raising awareness of Motor Neurone Disease, and award him with the Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in January

Rob with his wife Lindsey, children Macy, Maya and Jackson and best friend Kevin Sinfield last year at the The Rob Burrow Marathon in Leeds last month

Former rugby league player Rob Burrow and his wife Lindsey arrive at Windsor Castle to receive his Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) on April 5, 2022

In a statement it said: 'In doing so much, he inspired support from so many. On the weekend of the Challenge Cup Final in October 2020, fans and supporters donated an incredible £70,000 to the MND Association.

'Just two months later, Rob's former captain Kevin Sinfield CBE took on the first of four incredible challenges raising more than £7 million for MND charities, including the MND Association.

'Rob and Kev's friendship made headline news around the world. Thousands of well-wishers, not just in rugby's heartland, but across the country donated, took on fundraising challenges and pledged support in tribute to Rob's bravery.

'Rob's contribution to rugby league and awareness of MND were recognised in the 2021 New Year's Honours List when he was made an CBE and that same year Rob accepted the role of patron of the MND Association. Rob was subsequently awarded a CBE in the 2024 New Year's Honours list.

'It is testament to the strength of feeling people have for Rob that the support in his name has never wavered.

'The MND Association is incredibly grateful to Rob and his family for helping to raise awareness of MND, and funds for the Association, by sharing the details of their journey and by inspiring so many people both within the MND community and the wider public.'

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