Cumbrian rugby league clubs have joined the rest of the rugby community in paying tribute to former Leeds Rhinos Rob Burrow.
The Super League side announced that Burrow has died at the age of 41.
Rob Burrow CBE - MND Association
Burrow spent his entire career with the Rhinos winning eight Super League titles, two Challenge Cup trophies and three World Club Challenges before retiring in 2017 after seventeen seasons.
Two years after retiring Burrow was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) and then dedicated the rest of his life to raising awareness alongside former teammate Kevin Sinfield.
Since his diagnosis nearly £20 million has been raised across the UK and Ireland for charity, including raising over £6 million to build the Rob Burrow Centre for MND in Leeds.
The MND Association paid their tribute saying: "It is with great sadness that the MND Association has learnt of the death of our patron Rob Burrow CBE, four and half years after his diagnosis of motor neurone disease.
"Our thoughts today are with Rob's wife Lindsey, children Macy, Maya and Jackson, family and friends and the rugby community.
"Rob, who played at number 7 for Leeds Rhinos, lived with this brutal disease in the public eye after choosing to announce his diagnosis shortly before Christmas 2019.
"He used every opportunity to raise awareness of the disease, speaking publicly, undertaking media interviews and opening his life up in two moving BBC documentaries My Year With MND and Rob Burrow: Living With MND.
"He remained a consistent and passionate advocate for people with MND – he became the first person to use a communications aid to read a bedtime story on CBeebies. And he joined the United To End MND coalition which successfully campaigned for a £50 million Government investment in targeted MND research.
"It is testament to the strength of feeling people have for Rob that the support in his name has never wavered.
"The MND Association is incredibly grateful to Rob and his family for helping to raise awareness of MND, and funds for the Association, by sharing the details of their journey and by inspiring so many people both within the MND community and the wider public."
Cumbria's two Championship side took to social media to pay tribute with Whitehaven RLFC writing: "All at Whitehaven Rugby League are saddened to hear of the passing of rugby league legend Rob Burrow following his battle with MND. Our thoughts are with Rob's family, friends and Leeds Rhinos at this extremely tragic loss."
While Barrow Raiders posted: "All at Barrow Raiders are saddened to hear of the passing of rugby league legend, Rob Burrow.
"A true inspiration both on and off the pitch.
"Our thoughts are with Rob's family, friends and all at Leeds Rhinos.
"Rest in Peace, Rob"
It was not only the professional sides that joined the outpouring with Kells ARLFC adding: "Everyone here at Kells ARLFC are saddened to hear about the recent passing of Leeds Rhinos legend Rob Burrow after his fight with MND. Our thoughts are with his family, loved ones and Leeds Rhinos at this difficult time"
While new National League side Distington ARL wrote: "Truly saddened at the passing of an outstanding Rugby League player, a wonderful family man and in his valiant battle against MND an amazing inspiration to us all
"Sending our deepest condolances to Robs friends, family and the RL community at this extremely sad time"
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