How Leeds Rhinos legend Rob Burrow's MND battle is helping other sufferers come to terms with Motor Neurone Disease

The MND Association have reported a “significant surge in traffic” onto their website and donation pages since a documentary detailing Burrow’s plight was broadcast by BBC2 on Tuesday.

Ian Gardner, the association’s head of development, paid tribute to Burrow, who played 492 times for Rhinos from 2001-2017, for his determination to raise awareness of a little-known condition.

“We are very appreciative of what Rob and his family have agreed to do,” he said of the eight-time Super League Grand Final winner, who was diagnosed last December.

“As the documentary shows, it is really important everybody understands the devastating effects this disease has on an individual, their family and those around them.”

Burrow’s diagnosis sparked a huge fund-raising effort in rugby league, but Gardner said it has also had a positive impact others with the disease.

“Everybody’s journey with MND is different,” he added.

“But when somebody who has got a high profile is prepared to be open about their diagnosis and their journey with MND - and actually wants to go the extra mile to demonstrate what the disease is all about - that gives confidence and support to other people.

“As was said in the documentary, Rob is not doing it for himself; he is doing it for the average person in the street who is living with MND.

“That average person now knows they are not alone and those people around them will now know what the effects are and the journey that person is going on.

“Hopefully they will be more aware of what is needed and inspired to join Rob and his family and Leeds Rhinos and the rugby league community in the fight against the disease.”

That is particularly important in the battle against what Gardner described as a “comparatively rare disease”.

He said: “It doesn’t get the same coverage as other diseases such as cancer and similar.

“It is always absolutely vital we can raise awareness so the general public understands more about MND and how it impacts on the individual, the family and work colleagues.

“As the documentary showed, the impact it is having on Rob’s former colleagues and people at Leeds Rhinos is enormous.

“The more people understand that, the more they understand the disease, the needs of those people living with an affected by it.

“And, of course, on the back of that it does help to raise vital funds to drive the fight against MND, to provide more care and support and to fund research to lead to more effective treatments and ultimately a cure.”

Donations in support of Burrow can be made via www.mndassociation.org/forrob. For more information on MND, visit www.mndassociation.org