Nearly two years after the death of Rob Burrow, his widow Lindsey Burrow is dedicating herself to supporting families coping with grief and continuing her late husband’s legacy. The former Leeds Rhinos rugby league player, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in December 2019, passed away at age 41 on June 2, 2024. During his illness, Burrow became a prominent advocate for MND research, helping to raise over £6 million to fund studies and support services.

Since Rob Burrow’s passing, Lindsey, 42, has focused on raising funds for the Rob Burrow Foundation and assisting families dealing with bereavement. She is a single mother to their three children—Macy, 14, Maya, 10, and Jackson, seven—and speaks openly about the challenges of navigating grief as a parent. Citing research commissioned by the Celebration Day charity, she highlighted that more than half of parents find it difficult to discuss death with their children, a struggle she initially shared.

“As a parent you want to protect your children, but managing your own grief alongside three grieving children is incredibly difficult,” Lindsey said. She acknowledged that while she once avoided conversations about Rob’s death, she now understands the importance of open dialogue around grief. “It is OK to be sad and it is OK to talk about death,” she emphasized, noting that grief is often invisible and must be addressed openly in families.

Lindsey also noted the upcoming integration of grief and bereavement education into the national curriculum from September 2024. In partnership with Celebration Day, "finding the words" resource packs are being distributed to schools to help children and parents discuss loss more comfortably.

Rob Burrow’s career spanned 16 years with nearly 500 appearances for the Leeds Rhinos. Beyond his athletic achievements, he was instrumental in fundraising for a specialist MND treatment center in Leeds named in his honor. To further carry forward his mission, Lindsey recently completed the Leeds Marathon, an event renamed in his memory.

Reflecting on family life, Lindsey described how her children keep her motivated each day. “They are brave, courageous, and love life,” she said. “Rob showed us the way forward, and we try to live each day to the fullest as he wanted.”

Before his death, Burrow recorded messages to his children to be played at significant moments in their lives and a farewell message featured in the BBC documentary *There’s Only One Rob Burrow*. In this final statement, he urged others facing personal challenges to remain courageous and hopeful. “My final message to you is whatever your personal battle, be brave and face it,” he said. “In a world full of adversity, we must still dare to dream.”

Lindsey has written a memoir titled *Take Care*, recounting her experience as Rob’s caregiver and sharing intimate family moments from his final days. She hopes that her children will not fear death, reassured by their father’s peaceful passing surrounded by loved ones. “When you love somebody, you don’t want to see them suffering,” she said. “It was time.”