Thousands of people lined the streets to pay their final respects ahead of the funeral of rugby legend and motor neurone disease (MND) campaigner Rob Barrow.
The former Leeds Rhinos star died on June 2nd at the age of 41, after spending years raising awareness and donating millions to research into the degenerative disease he suffered from. Barrow’s visit to Pontefract Crematorium, where a private funeral will take place, was announced by the rugby star’s former team, with many supporters gathering to pay their final respects to a man who inspired so many.
The funeral procession slowed at the Featherstone Lions ARLFC pitch on Wakefield Road, passing through Featherstone and close to where Barrow played junior rugby. The move will be held emotionally on July 7th. The date marks Rob Burrow Day each year as Leeds Rhinos celebrates the iconic number 7 jersey he wore throughout his illustrious rugby career.
During his 17-year career, Barrow won eight Super League Grand Finals, three World Club Challenges and two Challenge Cups. In 2019, two years after retiring, Barrow was diagnosed with MND.
Together with friend and former team-mate Kevin Sinfield, Barrow embarked on a journey that has raised more than £15 million for MND charities. Their friendship has touched the hearts of audiences across the UK as they have taken part in races such as the Leeds Marathon.
The pair were awarded CBEs in the 2024 New Year Honours for their services to rugby league and the MND community. Prince William gave the couple the honours at Headingley Stadium.
Sinfield will attend Barrow’s funeral, who is withdrawing from England’s tour of New Zealand for family reasons. The 43-year-old is part of the coaching staff of the country’s rugby union team but flew across the world to be with his close friend to say goodbye.
Despite his absence, Sinfield has been heartened by the reaction to Barrow’s death. “There’s so much I’ve missed over the last few weeks,” he said.
“The response and respect for Rob from people across the UK has been amazing and it’s been fantastic to see. There was also a big honour last weekend in the MND round of Super League – some things I would have loved to witness.
“It’s really good to get away and have some time to think. Rob would want me to be here and be part of it. He would want me to support the boys. “The boys have been fantastic throughout my working relationship – they have shown compassion and care which has never gone unnoticed.”
Members of the public have been asked to “leave the area” on the section of the funeral route from Pontefract Lane to the crematorium. Part of the route is to allow the Barrow family to have a few minutes to themselves before arriving at the crematorium.
Burrow’s wife Lindsay told BBC Breakfast presenter Sally Nugent at home in her first interview since his death: ‘He was an inspiration to many. He was the face of the MND community. Despite the grief and sadness we can be very grateful because he came into our lives and made the world a better place.
‘I am proud to say that I have been his wife of 17 and a half years and that Rob and I have three beautiful children. I will do everything in my power to ensure they are raised as Rob would want: kind, caring and appreciative of the things in life. Rob was a lot like him. [He was] very down to earth, never had an ego – such a sweet, kind person.”
Lindsay, 41, also described how Burrow left final messages for his children Macy, 11, Maya, eight, and five-year-old Jackson. They stayed by the eye monitoring machine Rob used after the illness took away his ability to speak.
She said: “I know he left messages in there for the kids and it’s too wet to look through the car at the moment. There are birthday messages and messages for kids in the future. The day will come when I have to do it and Rob will be with me and give me the strength to do it.