Rob Burrow: Leeds Rhinos reveal unique kit to honour club icon on MND awareness day
Leeds Rhinos have unveiled a one-off shirt to be worn in their first home game since the death of club legend Rob Burrow.
Rhinos play host to Leigh Leopards in Betfred Super League on Friday, June 21, which is Global MND Awareness Day. Many of Burrow’s former teammates will be at the game as part of a special night to celebrate the eight-time Grand Final winner’s life.
Members of the MND community will also be present to raise awareness and funds for those impacted by the disease. A one-off kit has been designed by Cath Muir from Richmond, in North Yorkshire and was approved by Burrow several months before his death last Sunday. The Burrow family have given special permission for the kit to be worn in his memory.
Muir was diagnosed with MND in 2014 and has since done a number of fundraising activities including a parachute jump and riding coast to coast with her sister. She is a talented artist with an EyeGaze machine and has used the same method to design the new look kit.The shirt features an iconic image of Rob Burrow alongside his friend Kevin Sinfield which Muir painted and presented to the former Rhinos captain at the end of the first day of last year’s 7 in 7 in 7 Challenge in York. The MND-related colours set the kit apart from the Rhinos usual designs and also feature Muir’s drawing of a blue cornflower (Centaurea cyanus), the symbol of hope for MND around the world because of its fragile appearance but hardy nature.
Since the first MND awareness kit in 2020, Rhinos’ official technical partner Oxen have donated £150,000 to MND charities. The replica kit is now available to buy online and in store at AMT Headingley. £10 from the sale of every replica shirt will be donated to the Leeds Hospitals Charity appeal to build the Rob Burrow Centre for MND.