Last night Rob Burrow won the Helen Rollason award for 2022.
As his fight against Motor Neurone Disease enters its fourth year, Burrow has been recognised during the Sports Personality of the Year Awards on BBC tonight with the Helen Rollason award.
Helen was a sports journalist and presenter for BBC and battled cancer at the end of her life and that spirit is embodied in Burrow as he continues to fight MND.
Burrow’s award was followed by a special award being given to Kevin Sinfield, Burrow’s good friend and former teammate.
Sinfield has raised millions in the fight against MND running seven marathons in seven days in 2020, 101 miles in 24 hours in 2021 and in November ran seven ultramarathons in a week.
Together they have helped lead the fight against MND and inspire the MND community especially in the wake of the late great Doddie Weir’s passing.
Speaking of Doddie, Burrow dedicated the award to him saying he would not be here today without him as he also paid tribute to Sinfield in his acceptance speech:
“I am totally overcome with this award due to the amount of amazing people who have won this before, in particular my MND hero Doddie Weir.
“What a fantastic guy. I don’t think I would be here if I had not met him less than a week after my diagnoses. I will accept the award on his behalf.
“I am inspired to keep going by my friend Kevin Sinfield, the guy who makes the impossible possible.
“My family as a whole, who have put their life on hold to care for me especially my beautiful wife Lindsey and my amazing kids.
“Lindsey did not expect to sign on for this but she puts me first and foremost. I am not here without her sacrifice.
“Lastly, this is for all those MND warriors out there. We will not stop till we find a cure. Thanks for your help.”
