Pure Gym Leeds members smash 24 hour training session raising money for Rhinos legend Rob Burrow

Two Pure Gym members completed an intensive 24-hour training session this weekend, raising money for Leeds Rhinos legend Rob Burrow.
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Mark Hudson, 56, and Paul Burns, 45, both exercised non-stop from Friday at 5pm through to Saturday at 5pm at Pure Gym Thorpe Park, The Springs.

The pair work on the pastoral team at Brigshaw High School, Allerton Bywater, and had the full support of the school behind them as they cycled through the gruelling challenge.

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Mark and Paul are raising money for the Rob Burrow fund, supporting the Leeds Rhinos legend and his young family after his devastating motor neurone diagnosis.

From left: Mark Hudson, Castleford Tigers assistant coach Danny Orr and Paul BurnsFrom left: Mark Hudson, Castleford Tigers assistant coach Danny Orr and Paul Burns
From left: Mark Hudson, Castleford Tigers assistant coach Danny Orr and Paul Burns

Although Mark is a Castleford Tigers fan, and Paul a Wakefield Trinity fan, the pair were so moved by Rob's story that they felt they had to 'do their bit'.

Mark, a dad-of-two, said: "Rugby League is like a family, in times like this everybody closes ranks and comes together."

The duo made it the full 24 hours and even had the energy to watch Leeds Rhinos' opening game of the season at Headingley the following day.

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Mark said: "I hit a wall with about five hours to go, but Paul was struggling at bedtime about five hours in!

The duo are raising money for Leeds Rhinos legend Rob BurrowThe duo are raising money for Leeds Rhinos legend Rob Burrow
The duo are raising money for Leeds Rhinos legend Rob Burrow

"But for every minute we had a colleague from school or someone with us, their support and words of encouragement got us through.

"It was really emotional at the end, Paul and I looked at each other and shed a tear. Our thoughts went to Rob straight away."

The pair have raised an estimated £4,250 for the Rob Burrow fund so far and donations from Pure Gym members made up a large part of that figure.

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Pure Gym Thorpe Park manager Rick O'Hara trained with the pair for 12 hours of the challenge.

From left: Danny Orr, Paul Burns, Dale Cogan, Mark Hudson and Pure Gym manager Rick O'HaraFrom left: Danny Orr, Paul Burns, Dale Cogan, Mark Hudson and Pure Gym manager Rick O'Hara
From left: Danny Orr, Paul Burns, Dale Cogan, Mark Hudson and Pure Gym manager Rick O'Hara

Mark said: "Rick was fantastic, nothing was too much for the team. They looked after us and let people in and out to join us.

"We had Brigshaw staff, pupils and friends join us throughout the stint, getting on the treadmill with us.

"Even Jack Walker, the Leeds Rhinos fullback and an ex-Brigshaw pupil, came through to show his support."

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Brigshaw High School will host a raffle at the upcoming sell-out school show, Grease, raising more cash for the Rob Burrow fund.

Mark added: "Our headteacher Maria Williams has been a fantastic support, she allowed us to have a non-uniform day which raised more than £1,000.

"There has been a great spirit, but it's all about Rob. We know he's been following us on Twitter and that's just great.

"We just want to do our bit to support him."