We Still Live Happy Lives ..We Won't Let Rob's Disease Stop Us

Rob Burrow's wife has revealed his work to raise awareness of motor neurone disease has had such an impact that patients are now telling doctors: "I think I have the Rob Burrow disease."

- HOLLIE BONE, LUCY THORNTON

The rugby league legend was diagnosed aged 37 in 2019, when many people did not know exactly what the illness meant.

Now his wife Lindsey says people don't have to explain what MND is thanks to Rob, whose documentary Living with MND is shortlisted at tonight's National Television Awards.

And as the family travelled to London yesterday, Rob's proud daughters Macy, 11, and Maya, 8, went through the train carriage recruiting last-minute votes from passengers.

Lindsey, 40, told the Mirror: "Rob's consultant says people will come to the clinic now and say 'I think I have the Rob Burrow disease. To have that effect where people have seen Rob's story and know what MND is, really pulls at your heartstrings.

"To hear from the other MND warriors and what other people have gone through, it brings a lump to the back of your throat.

"As a family, we are so proud of what Rob has achieved and we hope that it comes through in the documentary that life is for living and despite the situation we still live happy lives and we are not going to let MND stop us." The BBC Two documentary aired last October and showed the effect of the disease on the whole family.

It has left "Rhino Rob", who lifted eight Super League trophies and two Challenge Cups during his career as a scrum-half with Leeds Rhinos, now unable to talk unaided or walk.