26 July 2021 Celebrity
The MND Association has welcomed two new patrons – Rob Burrow MBE, who is living with MND, and his former Leeds Rhinos team-mate and friend Kevin Sinfield OBE.
The announcement of their new roles aptly comes on 7/7 – in recognition of Rob’s playing number – and the day on which Kevin is taking on his latest challenge – a marathon around Saddleworth, in Greater Manchester, starting at 7am. He’s hoping to boost the total raised inspired by Rob and hit the £3million mark.
To mark their inspirational support in the 18 months since Rob’s diagnosis, the MND Association invited Rob and Kevin to become patrons, the highest profile role the charity can offer to a volunteer in acknowledgement of significant support and commitment. Existing patrons of the Association include Professor Sir Colin Blakemore, Chris Broad, Benedict Cumberbatch, Baroness Finlay, Charlotte Hawkins, Eddie Redmayne and Jeremy Vine.
“I would like to thank the Association for inviting Rob and I to become patrons. I have been so touched by the many stories I have heard from within the MND community and I am committed to continue my support to them for as long as it takes to find a breakthrough. For those who knew Rob during his rugby career, he was always an inspiration but he has taken that to a new level to motivate thousands of fundraisers to raise nearly £3 million in his name. On behalf of all of them, I would like to say a massive thank you to Rob and his family for the encouragement they give us all.”
Kevin
“It is a huge honour to be invited to become a patron of the MND Association and I am delighted to accept. I have seen first-hand the incredible work the charity does not just with those living with MND but also their families and loved ones. Personally, I would like to thank everyone who has taken part in the countless fundraising activities over the last eighteen months to help raise funds to support the MND community and vital research.”
Rob
“It has been a privilege to work with Rob and Kevin over the last 18 months and we are very much looking forward to developing that relationship in their new role as patrons.”
Chief Executive Sally LIght
Update: Kevin managed to complete the marathon in 3 hours and 20 minutes.Take a look at a short interview shared on Twitter below.
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They’ve done it 🥳
— MND Association (@mndassoc) July 7, 2021
Kevin Sinfield and his team have completed another marathon in honour of @Rob7Burrow and families affected by MND. Thank you to every one of them!
📹 @leedsrhinos#ThankYouRob #RobBurrowDay #7in7 pic.twitter.com/wKkDNXUPdO