Leeds Rhinos legend Rob Burrow teams up with Welcome to Yorkshire for MND Association charity campaign

The region’s tourism agency has launched a special membership initiative in honour of the former Leeds Rhinos’ star, who was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in 2019.

Since the diagnosis Rob has spoken publicly about his illness to raise awareness and memorably inspired his close friend and Leeds Rhinos Director of Rugby, Kevin Sinfield, to raise £2.7m in his '7 in 7 Challenge' (seven marathons in seven days) in support of people impacted by MND.

The new charity drive is part of Welcome to Yorkshire’s My Y personal membership scheme which is aimed at promoting Yorkshire across the globe and includes planting a tree for every member to help combat climate change. There will now be an option to choose a special Welcome to Yorkshire Rob Burrow Membership with £5 from every one purchased donated to the MND Association and recorded in the MND Association Rob Burrow Fightback Fund.

Kevin Sinfield MBE said “Rob is a proud Yorkshireman and loved playing for his county during his glittering career. This is a wonderful way for people to support the MND Association and help families just like Rob’s.”

Over 2,000 trees have been planted in Yorkshire since Welcome to Yorkshire launched its membership scheme last year. Celebrities with trees planted in their name include multi-award-winning actor Sir Patrick Stewart, Yorkshire shepherdess Amanda Owen, gardening guru Alan Titchmarsh and the late Captain Sir Tom Moore.

Trees are being planted at the Broughton Hall Estate, The White Rose Forest and its partner Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust with Shoe Gate Wood in Nidderdale, as well as William’s Den in North Cave. Further regional sites are due to follow.

Jenn Dodd, the MND Association’s Regional Fundraiser for Yorkshire, Humberside and the North East, said: “We are so grateful to Welcome to Yorkshire and Rob Burrow for providing this exciting membership option where in addition to having a tree planted in your name you can also help support people affected by MND.

“We hope that the membership and trees will inspire future fundraising and awareness raising activities for people affected by MND, in these special areas of woodland, and that this will grow into a long-lasting legacy for Rob and the 5000 other people living with MND in the UK right now.”

More information about the scheme is available at www.yorkshire.com/become-a-member