In 2023, a group of friends from Otley first came together to fundraise at the Burrow Leeds Marathon, running in support of the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Appeal.

The group, who have coined themselves as ‘Otley’s Finest’ have since gone on raise over £16,000 for Leeds Hospitals Charity’s appeal, through a series of epic fundraising challenges.

After taking on the first Leeds Marathon, the group once again joined forces to complete the 2024 Marathon in May this year, and despite their aching bodies, conquered the Yorkshire Three Peaks the very next day.

Following the sad news of Rob Burrow’s death on 2^nd June 2024, the group felt compelled to take on another fundraising challenge, inspired by the rugby legend and MND campaigner.

So, on the 14^th June, the group took on their toughest mental and physical challenge yet, camping in Otley and running 2.2 miles, every hour, for 24 hours, covering the distance of two marathons.

We spoke to Jonny Mac, one of the team members, who told us why the friends wanted to fundraise:

“When Rob was first diagnosed with MND it really hit home to a lot of people, we'd never done anything like this before and it brought us together as a group to try give a bit back in his efforts of raising money for the new MND Centre.

“We followed Rob’s journey and took inspiration from Kevin Sinfield as well as Lindsey and the kids to get these challenges done. The levels of support and donations from friends and family has been mind blowing, it’s been a massive team effort by so many people, were happy we've been able to do our bit.

“Rob was and always will be a legend of our city who we've taken a huge inspiration from in how we live our lives going forward.”

The group have vowed to take on a fundraising challenge every year, making each one bigger and better than the next, raising funds to support people living with MND and their families who will benefit from the new purpose-built centre at Seacroft Hospital.

Leeds Hospitals Charity has now raised £6.3 million of its £6.8 million target for the Rob Burrow Centre for MND Appeal, with £500,000 left to cross the finish line to make Rob Burrow’s dream of a specialist centre in Leeds a reality.

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

“The creativity of our fundraisers never ceases to amaze me! Otley’s Finest have demonstrated the power of friendship through their fundraising efforts, which have raised a phenomenal amount of money for the Rob Burrow Centre for MND Appeal.

“We’re incredibly grateful to the team, who have pledged to continue supporting the appeal, and I’m eagerly anticipating what their next challenge will be!”