We are excited to announce that there is now £500,000 left to reach our £6.8 million fundraising target for the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Appeal. 

Following the sad death of our patron, Rob Burrow CBE last month, we saw an influx of donations in his memory, with over £250,000 donated to the appeal in the space of a few weeks.

We also held an online ‘Dare to Dream’ auction which saw celebrities come together, raising thousands of pounds to support the charity with prizes including tickets to big sporting events, signed memorabilia, and other exclusive opportunities to meet celebrities like comedian Jon Richardson and Dame Kelly Holmes. 

Paul Watkins, Director of Fundraising at Leeds Hospitals Charity said:

 “Although building work has now started on site, we still need the public to get behind us, with half a million pounds left to reach our fundraising target. We know that, together with support from the people of Leeds, Yorkshire, and beyond we can cross the finish line of our appeal and make Rob Burrow’s dream a reality.

“We have been overwhelmed by the heartfelt tributes and outpouring of support we have received following our patron Rob Burrow’s death, from the public, celebrities and fundraisers taking on epic challenges.

“This is a real testament to the lasting impact Rob had, and we are honoured to fund the building of this centre in his name, creating a legacy that will make a real difference to people living with MND and their loved ones for years to come.”

Building work officially began on site in early June, led by construction company I&G. A planned groundbreaking event took place at Seacroft Hospital, where the motor neurone disease service will be delivered by Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

Over the next few weeks, work on the foundations of the building is due to be complete, and the building will begin to take shape.

The project is being managed by father and son duo, Darren and Harry Watt from I&G, who are using modern methods of construction, in the hope of completing the build by Summer 2025. 

I&G Managing Director, Christopher Carline, said:

“Since being appointed to build the new centre, we have been absolutely overwhelmed by the passion and dedication of everyone involved, from the clinical team that will be delivering care within the new centre, to the many fundraisers and volunteers who have given their time to support this cause. Work on site is now progressing at pace and we can’t wait to see the building take shape over the next few months.”

The new centre covers a space of more than 1,000m² and the impressive designs will be surrounded by the green trees of the Seacroft site, and a spacious atrium will be at the ‘heart’ of the building.  Wheelchair-accessible parking to serve the facility and newly landscaped garden are key parts of the centre.

At the centre, patients will benefit from real-world situations when testing devices and mobility aids and there will be specialist areas for speech and language therapy, dietetics, neurology, respiratory and palliative care. There will also be a large therapy space, a procedure room and an area to allow patients to digitally ‘bank’ their voices if they use a digital aid to support communication.

Claire Lang, MND Clinical Nurse Specialist told us:

“Rob’s vision was to have a place where patients can be themselves when dealing with the challenges of this complex condition, so having a one-stop centre to meet those needs will make his vision a reality and will benefit the wider MND community across the region for years to come.”