15 June 2023 News
Leeds Rhinos have announced their upcoming West Yorkshire derby against Huddersfield Giants will be a dedicated motor neurone disease (MND) awareness game, with MND Association patron Rob Burrow MBE and his family as guests of honour.
The match, which takes place on Friday 23 June and will be screened live on Sky Sports, will also be a celebration of how fans of Rugby League community have come together to support the MND community since Rob Burrow's diagnosis in December 2019. 777 school children, including Rob’s daughters Macy and Maya, will take part in a dance spectacular before the game while Rob's son Jackson will deliver a specially produced one-off match ball before kick-off.
Leeds Rhinos and Huddersfield Giants will donate 20% of any match tickets sold, excluding discounted tickets, to the MND Association. Volunteers from the Association will be at the stadium on the night collecting donations and offering information about MND to supporters. Tickets can be purchased now on the Leeds Rhinos website. Leeds Rhinos have also confirmed that they will wear their Doddie Wier tribute kit for this fixture, in a show of support for MND charities and the late Doddie Wier, who died of MND in 2022.
The game comes just 48 hours after Global MND Awareness Day is marked across the world on 21 June.
"Every time that Rob and his family come to a game is always a special occasion but we are particularly looking forward to our annual MND Awareness game. As a sport, Rugby League has embraced the MND community since Rob’s diagnosis and this local derby is a great opportunity for us to celebrate that together."
Leeds Rhinos Commercial Director Rob Oates