Rob Burrow's wife say they are 'blown away' by designs for centre they funded

16 February 2024 , 20:58

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Rob Burrow MBE with his wife Lindsey (Image: Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)

The wife of Rob Burrow said they are “absolutely blown away” with the final designs for a motor neurone disease (MND) treatment centre they have been fighting to fund.

Lindsey Burrow reacted with delight at the plans but they still need to raise £1.5 million to pay for it. It is hoped the site will be a flagship centre for care provision in the north. The former Leeds Rhinos star, from Pontefract, was diagnosed with MND in 2019.

The 41-year-old and his close friend and ex-Rhinos captain Kevin Sinfield have been raising awareness and funds to support others living with the disease since then. The images show how the centre in Leeds will include a central courtyard, large internal rooms and shared spaces for patients and families.

The state-of-the-art Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease will be based at Seacroft Hospital (PA)

The state-of-the-art Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease will be based at Seacroft Hospital. So far, £5.4m has been raised towards Leeds Hospitals Charity target of £6.8m.

The proposed building will have an east and west wing, which will house the primary clinical spaces connected via a central atrium. The central space has been designed as a community focused area with reading and quiet spaces, as well as activity and dining areas.

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It will be a place for family to use and will allow staff to observe patients in a more informal setting. The first floor will include a staff area offering them space away from clinical areas.

First look at concept designs of Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease

The charity said the centre would make the most of the existing landscape of mature trees and will include landscaped gardens. There will also be spaces for other therapy activities to take place as well as a memorial wall for private moments.

The plans have now been submitted to Leeds City Council for consideration. Esther Wakeman, from Leeds Hospitals Charity, said revealing the designs was "an important milestone in our journey" to build the centre.

She added: "Thank you to everyone who has fundraised, we're almost at the finish line, with £1.5m left to reach our fundraising target.”

Lucy Thornton