Rob Burrow’s legacy to live on in adopted city of Leeds

Burrow chose to document his battle with MND, which provided hope to others fighting the life-limiting condition.

Lottie Clarke’s husband, James, died in April aged 44, after his own struggle with MND.

Mrs Clarke, 47, who grew up in Ilkley, said she believed Burrow’s legacy would be the strength and inspiration he had given to others in similar circumstances – and that would continue.

Seeing Burrow and his family cope with living with the disease gave her husband and his family not only hope, but also the push to raise money to fund research into the disease, Mrs Clarke said.

“If somebody can live like this, of a similar age and with young kids, then so can we,” said the mother-of-three.

Mrs Clarke ran the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon in 2023, as part of a fundraising drive which has now topped £1m.

The Clarke family has also raised money for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, a charity set up by former rugby union player Doddie Weir to help find a cure for MND following his own diagnosis.

“Rob was definitely the inspiration to do all of that – without a doubt,” said Mrs Clarke, who now lives in Hampshire with her children.

“If Rob hadn’t been there, I don’t know. There are few inspiring people out there that make you think you can get through it.”