Families and friends of Rob Burrow have gathered at a funeral reception to say their final goodbyes.
The England and Leeds Rhinos star died on June 2 after a long battle with motor neurone disease (MND). He was only 41 years old.
Earlier this month, hundreds of people stood in line to say goodbye to the Rugby League star.
At the moment, there was a civil reception at Leeds Civic Hall to honor Rob’s life and work.
The event was put on by Abigail Marshall Katung, who is the Lord Mayor of Leeds. About 180 people, including Rob’s family, attended.
Jamie Jones-Buchanan, a former teammate, Tanya Curry, CEO of the MND Association, and James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, were also invited.
A hospital near his home in West Yorkshire was where he died, just hours before the ground was broken on a new center for MND research that will be named after him.
At noon on July 7, hundreds of people began to line the streets to pay their respects as Burrow was driven to a private service.
Roads were blue because so many people were wearing Leeds Rhino shirts. Featherstone Lions ARLFC junior players also showed their colors.
A police motorcycle followed the star’s hearse as it drove by the crowds.
Five cars with the rugby legend’s wife Lindsey, whom he married in 2006, and their three kids, Macy, Maya, and Jackson, came after.
Members of the cortege included Rob’s parents, Geoff and Irene, and his sisters, Joanne Hartshorne and Claire Burnett.
White flower bouquets with the words “Dad,” “Bro,” and “Son” on them were placed in the back with his blue-draped coffin.
The star played junior rugby at Featherstone Lions’ ground, where his procession stopped for a moment. A book of condolences was opened for people to sign.
He told people not to “waste a moment” of their lives in a moving last message that he asked to be shared after he died.
He said: “In a world full of adversity we must still dare to dream.”
The dad-of-three was told he has MND in 2019 and has been working for the cause for a long time.
Rob Burrow’s wife Lindsey Burrow said that her husband “made the world a better place,” which was a very moving tribute.
The Sun reported earlier that Rob’s 58-year-old friend Ian Flatt is climbing seven mountains in a wheelchair to honor his friend. Flatt was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2019.
