Fundraiser for Rob Burrow surpasses £100,000 target

A fundraiser set up on behalf of Rob Burrow and his family has surpassed its target of £100,000 just over a day after it was announced the former Leeds Rhinos star has motor neurone disease (MND).

Burrow, 37, confirmed on Thursday that he had been diagnosed with the illness.

Leeds Rugby Foundation – the Rhinos' official charity – set up a fundraising page to support Burrow, his wife and his three children in his treatment.

A target of £100,000 was set and, in just over 24 hours, that total was surpassed, while figures from across rugby – both league and union – also offered their support.

On Thursday, Burrow posted a message of thanks on his official Twitter account.

Today has been a big day for me and my family but I would like you all to know I have read every message and post. I can’t explain how overwhelmed I am at the reaction I have had from people throughout our amazing sport. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart!

— Rob Burrow (@Rob7Burrow) December 19, 2019

"Today has been a big day for me and my family but I would like you all to know I have read every message and post," he tweeted.

"I can't explain how overwhelmed I am at the reaction I have had from people throughout our amazing sport. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart!"

In a stellar playing career, Burrow made 492 appearances for Leeds, scoring 196 tries, helping the Headingley outfit land Challenge Cup titles in 2014 and 2015 and three World Club Challenge successes.