Skip to content

Final designs revealed for new Rob Burrow MND centre in Leeds

Leeds Hospitals Charity Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone DiseaseLeeds Hospitals Charity
The charity say patients will have access to a range of holistic support tailored to their needs

Final designs for a motor neurone disease (MND) treatment centre named after rugby league legend Rob Burrow have been revealed.

The images show how the centre in Leeds will include a central courtyard, large internal rooms and shared spaces for patients and families.

Rob's wife Lindsey Burrow said they were "absolutely blown away" by the designs.

It is hoped the site will be a flagship centre for care provision in the north.

The former Leeds Rhinos star, from Pontefract, was diagnosed with MND in 2019.

The 41-year-old and his close friend and ex-Rhinos captain Kevin Sinfield have been raising awareness and funds to support others living with the disease since then.

Leeds Hospital Charity Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone DiseaseLeeds Hospital Charity
So far, £5.4m has been raised towards a target of £6.8m

That includes fundraising for the state-of-the-art Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease, which will be based at Seacroft Hospital.

So far, £5.4m has been raised towards Leeds Hospitals Charity target of £6.8m.

The proposed building will have an east and west wing, which will house the primary clinical spaces connected via a central atrium.

The central space has been designed as a community focused area with reading and quiet spaces, as well as activity and dining areas.

It will be a place for family to use and will allow staff to observe patients in a more informal setting.

The first floor will include a staff area offering them space away from clinical areas.

Leeds Hospitals Charity Dr Agam Jung and architect Matthew UsherLeeds Hospitals Charity
Dr Agam Jung (left) leads the current MND service at Seacroft Hospital

The charity said the centre would make the most of the existing landscape of mature trees and will include landscaped gardens.

There will also be spaces for other therapy activities to take place as well as a memorial wall for private moments.

The plans have now been submitted to Leeds City Council for consideration.

Esther Wakeman, from Leeds Hospitals Charity, said revealing the designs was "an important milestone in our journey" to build the centre.

She added: "Thank you to everyone who has fundraised, we're almost at the finish line, with £1.5m left to reach our fundraising target."

Presentational grey line

Follow BBC Yorkshire on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].