‘Special’ moment Rob Burrow carried over finishing line

Kevin Sinfield and Rob Burrow have been overlooked in the King’s first Birthday Honours List, “disappointing” those who the duo have inspired. The Daily Express has called for the monarch to bestow knighthoods on Rob Burrow, who has been living with Motor Neurone Disease and his former rugby league teammate Kevin Sinfield who has raised £8m to find a cure, for a cause that thousands of our readers have supported.

The pair brought the nation to tears when Kevin carried Rob, his former Leeds Rhinos teammate who has been suffering from MND since 2019, across the finish line of last month’s Leeds marathon.

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Kevin has raised more than £8million to help fund research and find a cure as well as spreading awareness of MND since Rob was diagnosed.

Despite their heroic work at the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon and the calls for both to be knighted, their names are absent on the King’s Honours List this year. The King’s Honours List recognises the achievement and services of notable people from all walks of life across Britain.

Leeds East Labour MP Richard Burgon said: “It’s really disappointing that Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield aren’t in the new honours list.

“Their campaigning on Motor Neurone Disease and their truly inspiring fundraising drive really is worthy of proper recognition and the public, including people here in Leeds, are fully behind Rob and Kevin getting the recognition they deserve. The funds Rob and Kevin have together raised for a state-of-the-art Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease at Seacroft Hospital in Leeds will make a difference to so many people.

“Along with people in Leeds, and the public more widely, I really hope that some way can now be found to swiftly give Rob and Kevin the recognition they deserve. People want to see Rob and Kevin formally recognised through the honours list as soon as possible. It’s a real shame that they aren’t in today’s list – they deserve to be. Those with the power to put this right need to find a way to do so and will be applauded when they do.”

Twelve and a half thousand people took part in the first-ever Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon on May 14, an event named after the inspiring rugby player.

According to Mr Sinfield, 6,500 of those participating in the race were inspired to take part because of Rob.

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Gary Hetherington, CEO of the Leeds Rhinos and a backer of the Daily Express campaign, also said it was “disappointing” that Rob and Kevin “were not recognised this time”.

He said: “They have both done so much for the MND community both here in the UK but also raising awareness around the globe.

“Sadly, it remains a fact that no former Rugby League player has ever been knighted, I hope that can be rectified in future honours lists.”

Leeds Rhinos coach Jamie Jones-Buchanan MBE added how he “hoped” the message of “love and hope” Rob and Kevin showed us in the last two years would have seen the pair recognised.

He said: “For them to be knighted at the same time, would have been symbolic of the work they have done for the MND community and their example of what true human connection looks like.

“I would hope it will not be long, before we see a Sir Kev and Sir Rob get the national acclaim they deserve, for the internationally recognised work they have done.”

Despite the setback, the campaign to get the two of them knighted is growing day by day with new influential figures getting behind it.

Backing our campaign for the first time, Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said: “In West Yorkshire, rugby league has a special place in our hearts – so Rob and Kevin were always heroes in our eyes.

“But the amount of money they have raised for MND – and the awareness they’ve helped raise around this cruel condition – is truly incredible.

“Their strength, determination and enduring friendship is an example to us all. I’m confident that I speak for the whole region in saying they deserve to be recognised with one of the country’s highest honours.

“Their story has inspired the whole country, myself included. I was so proud to raise funds for the Rob Burrow Motor Neurone Disease appeal at the Leeds Half Marathon last month.

“I’m delighted to throw my weight behind this campaign and commend the Express for starting this petition – it’s difficult to think of two people more deserving of knighthoods.”

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