Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield welcome Government backing for MND research

Josh McAllister
Rob Burrow

Rugby league legends Rob Burrow MBE and Kevin Sinfield OBE have welcomed the news that the Government will be supporting the United To End MND campaign and have committed to invest £50 million over five years in targeted Motor Neurone Disease research. 

The aim of the campaign was to find the quickest and most efficient way to accelerate the current promising progress that scientists are making towards the first-ever meaningful treatments for this brutal condition.

Burrow was diagnosed with MND in December 2019. He has become a high profile figure in the MND community ever since to raise money and awareness for care and research for those impacted by the disease.

“This is fantastic news”

Burrow commented, “This is fantastic news for the MND community. I would like to thank the hundreds of thousands of people who have supported this campaign and made sure that the Government has finally come to the right decision.

“I have been honoured to meet so many wonderful people who have dedicated their lives to make sure that funding is where it should be for MND research and the hope now is that this is a game changer.

“This is great news for research. But we must also continue to support care for those living with MND now and that is why I am also so proud to support the fundraising effort for the new MND Care Centre here in Leeds; research and care are so important for anyone living with MND.”

The Extra Mile Challenge

Sinfield will set off on his latest fundraising challenge – ‘The Extra Mile Challenge’ – on Monday November 22 when he aims to run 101 miles in 24 hours from Leicester to Leeds.

The former Leeds and England captain is aiming to raise £100,000 that will be split between the MND Association and the Leeds Hospital’s Charity appeal to build a MND Care Centre in Leeds.

Sinfield added: “We have always known that research is key to finding a long term cure for MND. This news from the Government is a huge boost to that.

“But there are families living with MND every day of the week in this country. They need care and support right now. I am delighted that the money raised from The Extra Mile will directly help people across England and Wales through the MND Association and in Leeds when we realise the ambition of opening the Rob Burrow MND Care Centre.

“I am inspired by Rob and his family every day. But also everyone in the MND community who, together, have already achieved incredible things and this is just the start.”

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