26 May 2022 News
Macy, Maya and Jackson Burrow, children of MND Association patron Rob Burrow MBE, have designed a limited-edition rugby kit, which will be worn by Leeds Rhinos at the Dacia Magic Weekend at St James’ Park, Newcastle, on Saturday 9 July.
From the sale of every shirt, £5 will be donated to the MND Association and £5 to the Leeds Hospitals Charity appeal to build the Rob Burrow Centre for MND. The shirt includes a stickman caricature of Rob by 3-year-old Jackson, and features a bold blue 7 across the chest with the texture mimicking the crayon colouring of the children’s original drawing. There are quotes in the children’s handwriting all around the shirt showing their pride in their dad and their support for everyone impacted by MND.
West Yorkshire MND Association branch member and rugby league fan Jonathan Griffiths, who is living with a rare form of MND called progressive muscular atrophy (PMA), took part in a photo shoot to promote the special shirts, which can be seen above.
Commenting on the new look, Rob Burrow said,
“I love it! I am so proud of my children and everything they achieve and I think they have designed a fantastic kit. The colours are vibrant and fun and it will look just as great on the team when they head out at the Magic Weekend as it will on the kids running around during the summer holidays. Most importantly, through the generosity of Oxen, it will hopefully raise a fantastic amount of money for both the MND Association and the Leeds Hospitals Charity appeal to get the MND Centre built. On behalf of both charities I would like to say a massive thank you to everyone involved and especially those fans who are able to purchase the new look kit.”
Lee Jenkinson, CEO of Elite Pro Sports commented,
“We are delighted to work on another fantastic initiative with the Rhinos, the MND Association and the Leeds Hospitals Charity appeal, that will hopefully help raise more vital funds for the amazing work both charities do. We are hopeful of topping the £50,000 donation we made last year and with the amazing design created by Macy, Maya and Jackson, I think we’ve every chance! The kids did an outstanding job in creating the design and seeing their faces at the factory whilst their shirt was getting made, is something that will stay with me forever.”
Leeds Rhinos play local rivals Castleford Tigers at the Dacia Magic Weekend on Saturday 9 July. Castleford Tigers’ Magic shirt also honours Rob, with his number and signature featuring on the shirt, and donations from sales going to both charities.