“MND is NOT incurable, it’s Underfunded” – Rob Burrow’s dad speaks out on proposed MND funding updates

The rugby league community has received the brilliant news today that Health Secretary Steve Barclay is set to ‘cut the red tape’ and release the promised £50 million for Motor Neurone Disease research.

Unfortunately, due to the sad diagnosis of Leeds Rhinos’ legend Rob Burrow in December 2019, MND has become synonymous with rugby league and the heightened campaigning of late has highlighted the government failure to provide the £50 million funding that was promised in November 2021.

Having been called out on this the government minister for Health and Social Care, Steve Barclay, came out last week and claimed that plans for funding were “a matter of days not weeks” away, and he has since fulfilled that claim.

Via his twitter Barclay said: “I will set out our plans to cut red tape and accelerate the allocation of £50 million in funding for MND research, to make breakthroughs in finding a cure and improving treatments.”

Tomorrow I will set out our plans to cut red tape and accelerate the allocation of £50 million in funding for MND research, to make breakthroughs in finding a cure and improving treatments.
 
Read more @Daily_Express👇 https://t.co/CcG1DCartB

— Steve Barclay (@SteveBarclay) December 11, 2022

What followed was a link to the Daily Express where it was revealed that a £29.5 million package had been secured, and discussions set to take place this week on the allocation of funds.

Many in the rugby league community have passed comment including Kevin Sinfield who spoke with the BBC welcoming the decision, but Geoff Burrow, Rob’s father, has now tweeted and addressed Steve Barclay.

“Thank you to Health Minister Steven Barclay for some positive news with regards to the promised “Ring Fenced” £50 million for MND Research. MND is NOT incurable – it’s Underfunded. Hopefully now we will see the money,” Burrow tweeted, accompanied with a fingers crossed and praying hands emoji.

Thank you to Health Minister Steven Barclay for some positive news with regards to the promised “Ring Fenced” £50 million for MND Research. MND is NOT incurable – it’s Underfunded. Hopefully now we will see the money 🤞🙏

— Geoff Burrow (@burrow_geoff) December 12, 2022

 Those prayers and wishing for luck are to be expected as it’s taken over a year for any of this government funding to be secured, so far the only financial contributions coming as a result of the amazing fundraising undertaken by former Rhinos legend Kevin Sinfield.

MND sadly claimed the life of former Scottish rugby union player Doddie Weir late last month, with whom Burrow had become good friends, so it’s vitally important that this funding is secured to find out more about the disease.