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Prince William headed to Leeds on Nov. 20 to open a new health center tackling Motor Neurone Disease
It is named after the late rugby star Rob Burrow, whose health journey William, 43, supported
Burrows — who died of Motor Neurone Disease in June 2024 — and fellow rugby star and friend Kevin Sinfield raised millions of dollars to tackle the condition
Prince Williamis having a poignant reunion with the family and friends ofrugby hero Rob Burrow.
On Nov. 20, William, 43, headed to Leeds to open the new Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease at the city's Seacroft Hospital. It is the first purpose-built health center focused completely on MND care, research, education and holistic support in the U.K.
There, he spent time with Burrow's loved ones, including his wife, Lindsey Burrow, and their children Macy, Maya and Jackson, and great friend and fellow rugby player Kevin Sinfield, who raised more than $14 million (£10 million) for MND charities since 2019. Burrow was diagnosed with MND just two years after he retired from playing for Leeds Rhinos team.
Burrow died in June 2024 after living with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) for around five years. He captured the hearts of people around the world with his bravery, efforts to raise awareness of the condition and funds to tackle it.
Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty
William's office at Kensington Palace says the center reflects Burrow's own thinking of putting patients and families at the heart of treatment as well as providing a calm, welcoming, and fully accessible environment for patients. The initiative was made possible by a $8.8 million ( £6.8 million) fundraising campaign, led by Leeds Hospitals Charity and Burrow's consultant Dr Agam Jung.
It was Dr. Jung who showed the prince around on Nov. 20 and explained to him how the facility is dedicated to the diagnosis, research and care of motor neurone disease. William also chatted to staff and patients using the facility.
Burrow and Sinfield were each awarded a CBE byKing Charlesin the New Year's Honors List in 2024 for their campaigning efforts around the disease. William personally presented the honors to the pairduring a visit in January 2024.
Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty
When Burrow died in June 2024, the prince paid tribute to his "huge heart." In a personal message on he and Princess Kate's shared social media accounts, William sent his wishes to Burrow's wife, Lindsey, and their three children soon after the news broke.
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"A legend of Rugby League, Rob Burrow had a huge heart," William wrote in the rare personal tribute. "He taught us, 'in a world full of adversity, we must dare to dream.' Catherine and I send our love to Lindsey, Jackson, Maya and Macy. W"
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