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Rob Burrow MND centre fundraising target hit

Leeds Teaching Hospitals Charity A CGI image of a modern red-brick and glass front building with sloping rooves, viewed across a car park in the sunshineLeeds Teaching Hospitals Charity
The prospective centre, CGI images of which were released earlier this year, is expected to open next summer

The fundraising target for a new centre which will care for people with motor neurone disease (MND) has been reached.

The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease, named after the late rugby league legend and MND awareness campaigner, is set to open at Seacroft Hospital in Leeds next summer.

On Tuesday, it was announced that all of the £6.8m needed to build the venue had been generated through donations over the past three years.

Rob Burrow's mother Irene told BBC Breakfast that reaching the target through the public's generosity was "unbelievable".

Burrow died aged 41 earlier this year, having spent the last five years of his life, together with close friend and former team-mate Kevin Sinfield, raising awareness about MND after he was diagnosed with the condition.

The idea to build a centre in Burrow's name, which will offer a haven to MND patients and their families, was first mooted three years ago.

Irene Burrow said: "Kind generosity from everybody. You cannot believe it can you?

"It's unbelievable and we're so proud. I'm sure Rob will be here today looking down and he'll be so proud of everybody. Thank you for all the kind generosity shown."

Smiling people in hard hats unfurl a banner which reads: "Thank you! Together we raised £6.8million for the Rob Burrow Centre for MND." Rob Burrow's face is pictured in black and white on the left-hand side of the photo.
News that the fundraising target had been hit was revealed live on BBC Breakfast on Tuesday

Burrow's father Geoff added: "Who'd have believed, in three years the kindness of so many people throughout the country to raise this in Rob's name?

"A lot of people didn't believe this would happen. It's happened. Thank you everybody.

"What a place, what a country this is."

On Sunday, Sinfield completed a 230-mile run to raise about £1m for MND causes, the latest in a series of challenges he has done over several years to raise awareness and funds.

Danny Lawson/PA Dressed in blue and green Kevin Sinfield and Rob Burrow smile into the camera. Kevin is hunched slightly besides Rob's wheelchair. Rob is also wearing sunglasses. Danny Lawson/PA
Former team-mates Kevin Sinfield and Rob Burrow have raised millions for MND-related causes between them

Paul Watkins, director of fundraising at Leeds Hospitals Charity, said: "It's amazing that we've been able to raise £6.8m in just three years.

"The Burrow family has inspired people across the country and created an incredible community who have supported this appeal, right from the beginning.

"To have some of those supporters here with us today, leaving their own mark on the frame, is just wonderful."

The new building will be a flagship centre in the north of England and will offer care and support to patients and their families, the Hospitals Charity said.

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