Finding Covid jabs in a year gives me great hope for MND ROB BURROW, MBE

Rugby ace hails vaccine and dreams of end to disease that’s ravaging him

- DAN WARBURTON

RUGBY hero Rob Burrow says the Covid vaccine has lifted his hopes of a breakthrough in the battle against motor neuron disease.

The gritty Leeds Rhinos legend says the “incredible” work of scientists in developing a coronavirus jab in under a year has allowed him to dream of a “solution to end MND”.

Rob – awarded an MBE last week for his services to raising awareness of MND – was diagnosed with the incurable disease in December 2019.

It has ravaged his body and, at the age of just 38, he can no longer speak.

But he is still able to express his thoughts, using a voice app.

And he defiantly declared last night: “We have got incredible scientists and research facilities in this country.

“A year ago, most of us had not heard of Covid, yet we now have two working vaccines.

“That gives me great hope. If we can invest enough money and time into research, we can find a solution and end MND forever.”

Rob won eight rugby league Grand Finals, three World Club Challenges, and two Challenge Cups in his 17-year career with the Rhinos.

He and his wife Lyndsey, 37, have three children – daughters Macy, nine, Maya, five, and son Jackson, two.