‘It brings back so many memories’ Rob Burrow on incredible gesture from Oscar-winning artist
Kevin Sinfield has urged for people to vote for the Rob Burrow documentary at the National Television Awards.
Rob Burrow: Living with MND and Kevin Sinfield: Going the Extra Mile have both been nominated for the awards in the ‘Authored Documentary’ category.
Sinfield said: “Please vote for Rob! Their story is incredible and, certainly across the UK, worldwide they’ve shown everybody what living is. Lindsey has shown everybody what real love looks like.”
'Please vote for Rob'
'Rob Burrow: Living With MND' and 'Kevin Sinfield: Going The Extra Mile' are nominated for the National Television Awards.
Kevin Sinfield has told #BBCBreakfast he wants his friend to win
Vote here in 'Authored Documentary' 👉 https://t.co/XI0Qrtm0wW pic.twitter.com/BUWoo2hBUV
— BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) May 23, 2023
Sinfield was a guest on the BBC Breakfast show, where he was presented with a picture of him carrying Burrow over the finishing line at the recent Rob Burrow Marathon in Leeds.
The picture, by Oscar-winner Charlie Mackesy is now on sale, with proceeds being donated to Motor Neurone Disease research.
They can be bought online for £30, with £20 from each sale helping to fund the new MND centre in Rob Burrow’s name.
The Burrow family spoke to BBC Breakfast after Mackesy had sent them some signed copies of the print.
Rob’s daughters Maya and Macy said: “It means a really special time because daddy will never forget the time that he went over the finish line with Kevin.
“It’s very special because that’s a moment we’ll never forget. It was pretty special when Kev took daddy out of the wheelchair and took him over the line.
“It was just a shock. We didn’t think he’d actually pick him up and carry him over the line, we thought he was just going to push him over the line! But it made it even more special.
“They say a picture paints a thousand words. That picture paints infinite words.”
'It is the best picture I have ever seen'
Rugby League legend Rob Burrow and his family spoke to #BBCBreakfast about their delight that Oscar winner Charlie Mackesy is raising funds for MND with his picture of Rob and his friend Kevin Sinfieldhttps://t.co/Zy5V86QBox pic.twitter.com/XxNekRwPfO
— BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) May 23, 2023
‘I miss the moments from the rugby days’
The country was in awe of the incredible display of friendship between Sinfield and Burrow, as the former lifted the latter out of his specially-adapted wheelchair at the end of a gruelling inaugural Leeds marathon in Burrow’s name.
Sinfield has rightfully earned plaudits for his tireless efforts in raising awareness and funds for MND research through a raft of awe-inspiring physical and mental challenges.
What underpins all of the fundraising activity and superhuman efforts though, is the foundations and friendship between two legends of rugby league that was born during their years creating a dynasty at Leeds Rhinos.
Burrow said: “I am blown away by the picture created by the amazingly talented Charlie Mackesy. It shows love and care on a whole new level.
“I miss the moments from the rugby days and this picture brings back so many memories. Thank you Charlie, it is the best picture I have ever seen.”
The documentary Rob Burrow: Living with MND was broadcast in October, providing an up close and personal look at how MND has impacted the Burrow family.
It follows Rob on a trip to the swimming pool with wife Lindsey, cheering on his children at school sports day and an appointment with his neurologist.
Speaking through his communication aid, Rob shares his thoughts on his love for his family, his determination to remain positive and his desire to raise awareness of the disease to help the MND community.
It received widespread acclaim, being described as emotional, inspiring and heartbreaking.
Broadcast earlier this year, Kevin Sinfield: Going the Extra Mile, saw the former Leeds skipper reflecting on his journey to support his former team-mate.
It followed Sinfield on his gruelling challenges to raise money for charities, with behind the scenes footage and moments with friends and family across the country.
The documentary also highlights his extraordinary dedication to help those affected by MND and offers an insight into how this journey has changed him personally.
You can vote for the National Television Awards via their website, with voting open until 11pm on Friday June 2nd.
The NTA awards event is being held at The O2 in London on Tuesday September 5th.
