Leeds Hospitals Charity is delighted to announce that their Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon runners have collectively raised over £1 million pounds.
All funds raised will go towards the charity’s appeal to build the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neruone Disease at Seacroft Hospital which is now at £4 million pounds thanks to this huge fundraising boost. Over 600 runners took part to raise funds for the charity’s appeal, including Rob Burrow’s wife Lindsey, who recently surpassed the £100,000 fundraising milestone to help make Rob’s dream of a specialist centre a reality.
Despite facing a tough course and hot weather conditions, Lindsey completed her first-ever marathon in just over five hours, and was greeted by Rob, Kev and her children Maya, Macy and Jackson, who presented her with her medal. Lindsey told us she was determined to cross the finish line and was inspired to do her bit to support people living with MND and their loved ones:
“The atmosphere at the marathon was exhilarating from start to finish. Despite how tough the course was, especially in the heat, all of the cheers, smiling faces and support I received along the course helped spur me on to the finish line! It was amazing to see Rob, Kev and the kids as I ran into the stadium and I could see how proud of me they all were.
“I’ve been absolutely blown away by the donations I’ve received from the public and could never imagine that I would raise over £100,000. I know how much the new centre in Leeds means to Rob and our family, and many others affected by MND in our region and I hope the money raised at the marathon helps Leeds Hospitals Charity get one step closer to making the Rob Burrow Centre for MND a reality.”
The funds raised by Lindsey and her fellow runners will make a huge difference to people living with MND and their loved ones, by providing a £6.8 million specialist centre tailored to their needs. The current MND centre is located on a busy multi-purpose ward not built with MND patients in mind and without the ability to be fitted with equipment and facilities for those who are physically impaired.
Commenting on his next challenge, Kevin Sinfield said:
“Undoubtedly this will be the toughest challenge yet. We have tried to combine elements of our two previous events to create the Ultra 7 in 7. People living with MND have no choice but to live with their condition every day and they are inspiration for all of us taking part in the challenge. There has been some exciting news in recent days about current drug trials and we can all feel that a breakthrough is close. MND is not incurable it has just been underfunded and I have belief that by raising funds we can give the scientists and researchers the best possible opportunity to find that cure. We also need to help those living with MND, to give them hope and love so they know we are with them.”
Rob Burrow MBE added: “I’ve said it many times before, everyone should have a friend like Kevin. I know he would be the first to share the spotlight with all the team who are making this possible, just as he did as my captain but his leadership and inspiration is at the heart of every challenge. I am sure this will be tough and I can’t wait to see Kevin and the guys along the way to cheer them on. People have already been so generous over the last two years and, as a patron of the MND Association, I would like to say a massive thank you, your support has made the world of difference to so many people. Go safe Kev and please support them as much as you can.”
Ally Whelan, Senior Physiotherapist at the current MND clinic based at Seacroft Hospital, ran the marathon to raise funds for the Rob Burrow Centre for MND Appeal she said:
“It was such a good day and great to be there with my work colleagues and with some of our patients also taking part. It felt like we were really working together to support each other and the response from the public has been brilliant. A new centre will give our team more space to tailor our care to our patients, more opportunity to share new technologies and kit with them and a great potential to develop our learning and research, for the good of the wider MND care teams across the region and further afield. We’re excited that we’re moving ever closer to building this new centre.”
Dr Agam Jung, Consultant Neurologist and Director of the current MND centre at Seacroft Hospital was at the marathon to support Rob, Kev, Lindsey, and several members of the MND team who took on the challenge:
“It was an honour to be there at the start and finish lines. I am blown away by the mental resilience and endurance of all who participated. I felt very proud of Lindsey Burrow, my patients, their families and my team who took part.”
Paul Watkins, Director of Fundraising at Leeds Hospitals Charity spoke to us about his experience at the marathon and why he’s encouraging people to get involved next year to support the appeal:
“It was incredible to see tens of thousands come together at the marathon, an incredible community of people united by sport, friendship, and of course, the fight against MND. The atmosphere was electric from start to finish and I’m sure it will be a day we all remember forever!
“I would like to say a special thank you and congratulations to everyone who proudly wore their purple running t-shirts as part of Team Leeds Hospitals Charity. Your fundraising has contributed hundreds of thousands to our appeal to build the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease in Leeds.
“We still need help from the public to reach our £6.8 million target, and I am already excited for the 2024 marathon and am delighted to share that Leeds Hospitals Charity has a limited number of guaranteed places in the event, so if you’ve been inspired to get your running shoes on, you can visit our website to sign up today.”
Help us raise £6.8 million to build a specialist MND (Motor Neurone Disease) Care Centre in Leeds, to give people living with MND the best quality of life. By donating to our appeal, you can help us create The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease, which will see all MND services housed under one roof for the first time www.leedshospitalscharity.org.uk
Leeds Hospitals Charity has a limited number of guaranteed charity places available for the 2024 Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon. You can find out more and sign up at www.leedshospitalscharity.org.uk
