Rob Burrow funeral takes place as hundreds of fans line route with some wearing Leeds Rhinos shirts | UK News

Hundreds of people have lined the streets to pay their final respects to former Leeds Rhinos star Rob Burrow.

The funeral procession took place on Saturday, with one final trip across his native Yorkshire.

More than 160 people then attended a private ceremony in Pontefract.

The 41-year-old died last month, four years after he was first diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND).

Saturday’s service – on 7 July – came as a nod to Burrow’s number seven shirt worn during his rugby league career.

Members of the public lined the route wearing their Leeds Rhinos shirts, as the funeral cortege made its way through to the crematorium.

The cortege set off at 1pm, and on its route passed by where Mr Burrow started off playing rugby.

Speaking to Sky News ahead of the funeral, Gary Hetherington, chief executive at Leeds Rhinos, said: “Rob was a remarkable player and a remarkable person.

“Him and all his family have been a credit to rugby league and the MND community.

“Today is an outpouring of emotion and support for him and his family and what he’s done.

“It’s brought the whole rugby league community together… and other sports as well.”

Burrow was a successful rugby player, winning eight league titles, but he became better known for his campaigning to raise awareness for MND.

Read more:
Rob Burrow funeral planned on poignant date
Obituary for Leeds Rhinos star

His trademark determination saw him help raise millions of pounds for charity to help research the rare, degenerative brain and nerve condition.

MND eventually took Burrow’s voice and confined him to a wheelchair before he died.

Remembering one of Yorkshire’s most loved sons

Frazer Maude

North of England correspondent

@frazeratsky

It’s been an emotional day in West Yorkshire as hundreds of people lined the streets to say a final farewell to one of the county’s most loved sons.

Rob Burrow first earned the love and respect of the people here as a pocket battleship of a rugby league player.

Then he captured the hearts of many outside the game during his much publicised battle with MND.

On Sunday, on what has become Rob Burrow Day, the seventh day of the seventh month – in honour of his playing number – his family and friends attended a private cremation.

The funeral cortege passed through Castleford; then Featherstone where he began his playing career as a junior; before finally arriving in the town of his birth, Pontefract.

The hearse carried Rob’s coffin, with flowers spelling out “Bro” and “Son” on one side, and “Dad” on the other.

A reminder that the man who became a hero to many on the pitch, and later off it, was also a much loved family man.

Many of those along the route wore rugby shirts bearing his name and number.

Others were wearing the T-shirts from his numerous MND fundraising campaigns and challenges.

Some carried flags and banners in the Rhinos colours of yellow and blue.

All applauded, and many cried as Rob made his final journey.

Thanks to his bravery, and his determination to raise awareness of the incurable disease that robbed him of his life, Rob has touched many hearts.

And here in Yorkshire in particular, he will always be remembered.

Follow Sky News on WhatsApp

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Tap here

Teammate Kevin Sinfield supported Mr Burrow throughout and the pair were awarded MBEs for their services to MND.

He was famously pictured carrying his friend over the finish line in May last year, at the Rob Burrow Half Marathon in Leeds.

Speaking late last year alongside Burrow, Sinfield said: “Just because the rugby stops, doesn’t mean those friendships stop and when one of your best mates is given the diagnosis Rob got, then you have a choice whether you stand shoulder to shoulder, or you don’t.

“What’s become clear is the fight and the spirit that I knew Rob had, he’s shown more than ever.”