Rob Burrow's tearful parents have revealed how he died 'peacefully' and 'on his terms' while surrounded by his adoring family as they joined his best friend and former teammate Kevin Sinfield at the site of a new MND centre today.
There were emotional scenes this morning as Mr Burrow dug the first hole on the site, watched by the rest of his family as well as his best friend Kevin Sinfield, who has raised millions of pounds for MND awareness since Rob's diagnosis five years ago. His best friend Kevin Sinfield, who last night said he was going to miss his 'little mate' in an emotional tribute, was also present at the ceremony in Leeds on Monday morningThe groundbreaking ceremony took place less than 24 hours after it was announced Rob had died.
It comes as Rob's father told journalists the family is determined to keep fighting until a cure for MND has been found. 'He was in hospital. He smiled, we got sad and he gave us the look, you know"pack it in smile" and what have you and we did our best.' Mr Burrow said: 'I wanted to make sure it was what Rob wanted, if it hadn't have been then you know we would have fought on. I think his body has had enough. It was on his terms.'
'He was such a lovely, lovely person, anybody that met Rob would always say that and I hope we are doing him proud.' Work on the £6million centre in Leeds will commence one day after the tragic news of his passing. Pictured is concept art of the centre The state-of-the-art, purpose-built centre has been designed to provide cohesive care for MND patients who have complex, changing needs.
His friend Phil Daly said that despite the heartbreak and widespread grief felt following his loss, 'Rob wouldn't want us to waste a day' in the ongoing battle with MND. His friend Kevin Sinfield, who helped Rob raise £15million to help fight MND and carried his fellow former rugby star over the line in the Leeds Marathon last year, emotionally said he would miss his 'little mate'.
Work was to begin on Monday with an appearance from the Burrow family and despite the news of his death last night, the charity has said construction will go ahead as planned.