Prince William surprises rugby icons with CBEs in Leeds for MND fundraising

Prince William surprised rugby league legends Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield by awarding them with their CBEs during a meeting in Leeds.

The Prince of Wales travelled to Headingley, the home of Leeds Rhinos rugby league club, to hail the “amazing” efforts of the two former superstars.

Rob and Kevin were awarded CBEs in the New Year Honours list for their motor neurone disease fundraising.

The pair have raised more than £15million for charities since Rob was diagnosed with the incurable disease in 2019 aged 37.

The prince handed them their honours in their old changing room, telling them: “I have brought a special couple of things up to give you today. I did check with Kevin to make sure that you didn’t want to come to London to receive these.”

“But I have brought your CBEs up here today and I thought I might give them to you, if that’s okay, in your home, Leeds,
surrounded by your family and friends. I thought today was a good day to present your CBEs.”

William then held up Rob’s honour so that he could see it, adding: “Thank you and congratulations for all the inspirational work you have done, Rob. You’ve been amazing, you really have.”

“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.”

Handing the medal to his wife Lindsey, he posed for a photograph with the couple and their three children Macy, 12, Maya, eight and five-year-old Jackson.

He then turned to Rob’s friend and former teammate of more than a decade, Kevin, placing his CBE around his neck, William said: “Huge, huge congratulations you are an inspiration, you really are, thank you.”

“You’ve raised so much. Your brotherly bond and relationship between the two of you has been so amazing to watch. An inspiration to everyone.”

Kevin’s wife, Jayne, proudly gazed on. Rob is now unable to talk but can articulate using Eyegaze, a device which translates blinks into letters and then builds them into words on a screen.

Speaking through the computerised speech aide, Rob, 41, said: “I am proud to accept it on behalf of the whole MND community. Days like today allow us to keep a spotlight on the disease and continue to raise awareness and hopefully funds to fight the disease and support those who are living with MND and their families.”

“It was wonderful that His Royal Highness was able to come to Headingley to see us and very much appreciated. It was lovely to talk to him and for him to meet my family.”

After being shown around the Leeds Rhinos’ ground, William said: “It is amazing what you two have done, honestly. It has been phenomenal watching you…I am in awe and I think a lot of people are.”

Last May, England rugby coach Kevin touched the nation’s heart when he carried his friend over the finishing line of the inaugural Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon.

Rob was pushed around the course in his wheelchair, only to be scooped up by Kevin so they could finish the race together.

Last month Kevin completed his “seven in seven” challenge – running seven ultramarathons in seven cities across Britain and Ireland in seven days. William spoke to the two former stars about their days with Leeds Rhinos, where they won a string of trophies.

He also chatted to families from across the UK and Ireland, who have been impacted by MND, and those raising funds for the Rob Burrow Centre for MND, which will be a purpose-built centre at the Seacroft Hospital in Leeds for those battling the illness.

Asked by William about living with MND, Rob paid tribute to his wife Lindsey, saying “I wouldn’t be here without the support and love of my wife. She’s stronger than any rugby player I have played against.”

He added: “MND is not incurable. It has just been underfunded for too many years…hopefully through our campaigning we have made people aware of MND and given people and the families affected by the disease some hope.’

“There is no point feeling sorry for myself. It won’t change the situation. Doddie [Weir, a fellow rugby player and MND sufferer] taught me to live each day to its fullest.”

MND affects up to 5,000 adults in the UK at any one time – one in 300 people will be affected during their lifetime.