Sinfield and Burrow recognised in New Year's Honours for MND charity work
Rob Burrow hopes to link up again with Kevin Sinfield - to collect their CBEs together at Buckingham Palace.
The Leeds Rhinos legends have been awarded the gongs in the New Year's Honours list. Ex-Leeds and England captain Sinfield was awarded an MBE in 2014 for his outstanding playing career. He then earned an OBE in 2021 for his remarkable fundraising efforts after former Rhinos team-mate Burrow was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease two years earlier.
England rugby union defence coach Sinfield, whose gruelling running challenges have helped raise more than £15m for MND charities, is already widely-known as ‘Sir Kev’ by fans up and down the country. He hasn’t been bestowed a knighthood but will complete a hat-trick of honours with a CBE.
Brave Burrow, meanwhile, adds the CBE to the MBE he was awarded in 2021 in recognition for his own sterling work in aid of the fatal condition. Burrow said: “I am honoured to receive the CBE on behalf of the MND community.
“It is always pleasing to have another opportunity to bang the drum for the whole community and ensure that those living with MND are remembered, especially at this time of year. I would like to thank my wonderful wife Lindsey and my entire family for their support, without which I would be unable to do the campaigning work I have done for care and research to fight this terrible disease.
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“I am particularly pleased that my good friend Kevin Sinfield is also receiving a CBE. I hope Kevin and I can go to the palace together in the New Year to enjoy another special occasion together again.
“I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and all the best for 2024.” It will be fitting if the lifelong friends can have a joint investiture: Burrow had hoped to receive his MBE with Sinfield but was ill at the time.
Kevin Sinfield and Rob Burrow have been awarded CBEs in the New Year's Honours List (PA)Sinfield, whose latest challenge in December once again raised more than £1m, said: “When you think about what we have done over the last few years, it is not about getting honours, it is about the MND community. I feel like I’m the one getting singled out but it’s been a real team effort from everybody.
“I can’t do it on my own; I need everybody to do their bit and it’s been an incredible journey. I certainly was not expecting the award and this has never been about any recognition. This is about raising money and awareness for the MND community and for fighting for Rob so I feel very humbled by the whole thing.”
Sinfield, 43, added: “I think it is really special that Rob has been recognised again. The bravery and courage that Rob and his amazing family have shown as he is fighting MND is wonderful; to open the front door and to show the world what it’s like to live with it, he’s been incredible. I think the whole family has shown us all what a great family looks like and they’ve been so inspirational.”
Rob Wainwright will receive an MBE for his MND charity work honouring the late Doddie Weir (PA)Fellow MND fundraiser Rob Wainwright will receive an OBE for his work supporting the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, having founded the Doddie Aid event in honour of his former Scotland rugby union teammate Doddie Weir who died last year after battling the condition.
"This is a tremendous honour, and it's one I accept on behalf of the whole Doddie Aid community," Wainwright said. "Doddie was a force of nature, and I was very proud to call him a friend. Like everyone who he knew, who he inspired, I have been galvanised to do whatever I can to end MND."
Lionesses stars Millie Bright, Mary Earps and Lauren Hemp have also been honoured for their roles in England reaching the Women's World Cup final. Captain Bright receives an OBE, while Earps and Hemp will collect MBEs
Lauren Hemp, Mary Earps and Millie Bright have also been honoured (Getty Images)Former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton has been awarded a CBE for services to football and gambling harm prevention, while cricketers Stuart Broad and Marcus Trescothick will receive a CBE and an OBE respectively. Gymnasts Becky and Ellie Downie, netball star Helen Housby, race-walker Tom Bosworth, Brighton owner Tony Bloom, Kick It Out chiefs Sanjay Bandhari and Troy Townsend and sports broadcasters Jeff Stelling and Hazel Irvine have all been made MBEs.
Premier League advisor Bill Bush and Red Bull team principal Christian Horner receive CBEs, while Arsenal chief executive Vinai Venkatesham, former Leeds boss Howard Wilkinson, ex-Scotland manager Alex McLeish and hockey star Maddie Hinch have been awarded OBEs.
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Former McLaren team principal Ron Dennis has also been knighted for services to charity, with ex-England captain and World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont having his knighthood upgraded to a Knight Grand Cross.
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