Father of rugby league star Rob Burrow dies after taking up MND campaign

The father of the late rugby league star Rob Burrow, who worked to raise awareness around motor neurone disease (MND), has died.

Geoff Burrow passed away after a "period of ill health", Leeds Rhinos said in a statement.

The club said Mr Burrow was "always a champion for those who did not have a voice" and had been a "tireless campaigner for the MND community".

His son spent his entire league career with Leeds Rhinos and died at the age of 41 in 2024.

He was diagnosed with MND aged 37 and was later awarded a CBE for his campaigning, which saw millions of pounds raised and the construction of a new support centre.

After his death, his father took on the fight for people with the disease.

The club said: "It is with deep sadness that the club has learnt of the passing on 30 March of Geoff Burrow, the father of Rob Burrow, after a period of ill health.

"Leeds-born Geoff was a tireless campaigner for the MND community following Rob's diagnosis in December 2019 and continued that work after Rob's passing in June 2024.

"A devoted husband, father and a grandfather, Geoff brought Rob to his first ever game at Headingley and started his love of the Rhinos.

"Geoff was always a champion for those who did not have a voice throughout his career as a trade union representative."

In January, Mr Burrow told Sky News how urgent access to a new drug which could transform outcomes for people with MND had become a lottery.

(c) Sky News 2026: Father of rugby league star Rob Burrow dies after taking up MND campaign