Sky Sports to support MND Awareness game

Leeds Rhinos face Leigh Leopards on Motor Neurone Disease Awareness Day as Sky Sports, the Rhinos and wider Rugby League community pays tribute to Rob Burrow on Friday June 21

In memory of the late Rob Burrow, Sky Sports will provide an on-screen QR code during coverage of the Leeds Rhinos v Leigh Leopards MND Awareness game this Friday. The QR code will allow viewers to donate money towards the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MND Association).

Alongside Leeds Rhinos, work is being done to ensure a capacity crowd for 7pm, which is when the tributes and Sky’s coverage commence from the AMT Headingley Rugby Stadium. The broadcast – called Rob Burrow 7: A Tribute – will be played out on the big screens in the stadium, including an opening address from Rob’s former teammate and best friend, Kevin Sinfield.

#OneRobBurrow ? pic.twitter.com/YqyzlA2sUQ

— Sky Sports Rugby League (@SkySportsRL) June 17, 2024

Fittingly, the game itself falls on Global MND Awareness Day and to increase awareness, viewers without a Sky Sports subscription will be able watch the tribute on Sky Showcase. Alongside the QR code, there will also be time devoted to the MND Association during commercial breaks.

With Rob’s family expected to be present, there will be a number of tributes during the build-up. These include Bob Pickles who first scouted Rob for Leeds, club historian Phil Caplan, former greats he played alongside, and members from the wider MND community. All of whom have gathered to talk about the brilliance of Rob both as a player and a person. The Sky Sports app will also carry information on how to donate with a link out to the MND Association page.

Every day six people are diagnosed with motor neurone disease and every day six people die of the disease. There is no cure. The money raised as part of the MND Awareness game is hoping to change that.