This week Mr Julian has presented an assembly based on Rob Burrow. 

Rob Burrows has been described as a legend, an icon, an inspiration.  

He started his career in rugby when he was sixteen; he was 5ft 5 inches and 11 stone. In one of the clips, we watched a player called Robert Hunter Paul admit ‘when I first saw Rob Burrow on the pitch I was worried for him. Then 10 minutes into the game I was worried for my team’ 

Burrow knew from an early age what he wanted to be, and it didn't matter what negative comments he received - he went out there and proved them wrong. The Leeds Rhinos’ player won the Super League eight times and played for England thirteen times. 

Unfortunately, in 2019 the rugby league player was diagnosed with the degenerative condition MND (motor neurone disease). This disease is something that I can talk about from experience as my mother-in-law was diagnosed with MND in 2016 and sadly died from this awful disease in December 2019. 

At the time of her diagnosis, I remember family and friends being quite confused by what the disease was as it wasn't something that anyone seemed to know much about. I guess because of this we were a bit naive to just how much and how quickly it would affect her body. 

Since his diagnosis Rob Burrow dedicated himself to not only raising awareness of MND but also raising funds for the MND community. This was supported by the vast number of family, friends and rugby supporters around him. He didn't give up; he didn't sit back, and he didn't stop fighting. 

A statement from the Burrow family read: 

"Rob has always been a true inspiration throughout his life whether that was on the rugby league field or during his battle with MND. He never allowed others to define what he could achieve and believed in his own ability to do more.” 

"For those who knew Rob throughout his life, his determination and spirit in the face of MND over the last four and a half years came as no surprise. 

"Rob never accepted that he couldn't do something, he just found his own way of doing it better than anyone else. He will continue to inspire us all every day. In a world full of adversity, we must dare to dream." 

There are not many people who we can fit into all our school values, but this man most certainly could. 

RESPECT: We respect ourselves and we respect each other. 

RESILIENCE: We are determined, we do not give up when things get tough 

ASPIRATION: We aim high, and we have ambitious expectations 

RESPONSIBILITY: We take responsibility for our own actions 

INTEGRITY: We do the right thing 

KINDNESS: We treat each other with kindness 

Rob Burrow, 41, a husband, a father of 3 children, a rugby legend and an inspiration to all sadly lost his battle with MND on 2 June 2024. 

Burrow raised £6.8 million and the MND association continues to receive thousands of donations in his honour. 

If you would like to donate to the MND association, please follow the link below. 

Rob Burrow | MND Association 

Thank you for your continued support and please do contact us with any questions or concerns; HOY8@hessleacademy.com 

Miss Pinkney

Head of Year 8