Funeral held for Rob Burrow's father Geoff

TL;DR

Geoff Burrow's funeral was attended by over 100 people at Pontefract Crematorium. He passed away on March 30 at the age of 75 after a short illness.

Key points

Geoff Burrow was 75 years old at the time of his death.
He passed away on March 30 after a short illness.
The funeral took place at Pontefract Crematorium.
Rob Burrow is a rugby league star and MND campaigner.
Over 100 mourners attended the service.

Mentioned in this story

Geoff BurrowRob BurrowRob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease

A man with very short hair, wearing black-rimmed glasses and with a short beard, smiles at the camera

Geoff Burrow attended the opening of the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease in Leeds last November [Jessica Bayley/BBC]

More than 100 people have gathered for the funeral of Geoff Burrow, the father of rugby league star and Motor Neurone Disease (MND) campaigner Rob.

Mourners attended the service at Pontefract Crematorium for the 75-year-old who died on 30 March after a short illness.

A notice by Charles E Ashton & Son funeral directors said: "Beloved husband of Irene, proud dad of Claire and Jo and now reunited with his treasured son Rob."

The family had asked for donations in his memory to be divided between the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease at Seacroft Hospital in Leeds and the British Heart Foundation.

A crematorium building with dozens of people stood outside. There is black car and two white cars approaching the building.

The service was held at Pontefract Crematorium [BBC]

Leeds Rhinos said Geoff Burrow had been a "tireless campaigner" for the MND community following Rob's diagnosis with the disease in December 2019, and continued to do so after his son's death in June 2024.

Last November, he attended the opening of the Rob Burrow Centre, saying it proved "dreams come true".

The £6.8m centre was funded through donations to the Leeds Hospitals Charity, with much of the cash raised with the help of a campaign spearheaded by the rugby league player's friend and former team-mate Kevin Sinfield.

Rob Burrow, wearing sunglasses and sitting in a large blue chair, smiles at the camera.

Q&A

What was the cause of Geoff Burrow's death?

Geoff Burrow died after a short illness.

Who attended Geoff Burrow's funeral?

More than 100 people, including family and friends, attended the funeral.

What is the significance of the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease?

The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease, opened in Leeds, is significant for raising awareness and support for MND, a cause championed by Rob Burrow.