It was an emotional moment filled with pride, love and beaming smiles when inspirational motor neurone disease (MND) campaigners Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield received their CBEs during a surprise visit from the Prince of Wales.
The former Leeds Rhinos rugby league stars were given their medals, which they were awarded in the New Year Honours List, in their old changing room at Headingley Stadium, where they played together from 2001 to 2015.
Rob, 41, who was diagnosed with MND in 2019 and is confined to a wheelchair and unable to speak, and Kevin, 43, have raised more than £15m for charities carrying out research and supporting families affected by the disease. They won the nation’s hearts when Kevin carried Rob across the finishing line of last year’s inaugural Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon. Last month, he also completed seven ultramarathons over seven days, the latest in a series of superhuman challenges he began in 2020.
PRINCE’S PRIDE
Prince William travelled to Leeds to see Rob, who was with his wife Lindsey and children Macy, 12, Maya, eight, and Jackson, five.
“Thank you and congratulations for all the inspirational work you have done, Rob. You’ve been amazing, you really have,” he said.
“Everyone is proud of you and has been following your case and the money you have been raising. You have changed so many people’s lives with MND. We are all so proud of you.”
The Prince turned to Kevin, now part of the England rugby union coaching team, who was with his wife Jayne, and placed the CBE around his neck. “Huge, huge congratulat
