Rob Burrow’s mother and father fought back tears as they attended a ceremony to start construction on a £6million centre for motor neurone disease in Leeds.
Burrow was diagnosed with motor neurone disease two years after he retired from playing rugby for Leeds Rhinos.
He spent the next few years raising millions for MND awareness, along with his former team-mate and best friend Kevin Sinfield.
Leeds Rhinos announced Burrow passed away on Sunday and work has already begun on his final wish.
Rob Burrow’s parents helped dig the first hole as work began on the MND centre in Leeds
REUTERS/PA
Burrow had been campaigning for a new specialist centre to be built to help treat people with the debilitating illness.
Less than 24 hours after Burrow passed away, the first hole was dug on the site of the £6m MND centre.
His parents – Geoff and Irene – fought back tears as they were the first to break ground on the site.
Burrow had both his parents, his wife Lindsey, his three children and his two sisters Joanne Hartshorn and Claire Burnett by his hospital bed when he passed away.
Geoff said: “We made sure he ended his journey on his conditions, we didn’t want any suffering and he didn’t suffer, it was very peaceful.
“He was in hospital. He smiled, we got sad and he gave us the look, you know ‘pack it in smile’ and what have you and we did our best.
“It was very sad, surreal, you know you feel as though there is going to be a big difference and there isn’t, we still haven’t quite accepted it yet.”
There has been an influx of tributes for the rugby league legend with his wife Lindsey.
Rob Burrow’s family were all at the ceremony
PA
A statement from Burrow’s family read: “Rob has always been a true inspiration throughout his life whether that was on the rugby league field or during his battle with MND.
“He never allowed others to define what he could achieve and believed in his own ability to do more.
“The outpouring of love and support that Rob and the whole Burrow family have received over the last four and a half years meant so much to Rob.
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Kevin Sinfield was also in attendance
PA
“In particular, the rugby league family and MND community have rallied around Rob to inspire him, thank you for your support.
“For those who knew Rob throughout his life, his determination and spirit in the face of MND over the last four and a half years came as no surprise.
“Rob never accepted that he couldn’t do something. He just found his way of doing it better than anyone else. He will continue to inspire us all every day. In a world full of adversity. We must dare to dream.”
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