'Thank you': MND sufferer Ed Slater expresses gratitude to Leeds Rhinos legend Rob Burrow

Burrow died at the age of 41 earlier this month after a four-and-a-half-year battle with the incurable illness.

The eight-time Super League champion fought the disease in the public eye to raise awareness, demonstrating the courage that marked him out as one of the bravest players in rugby league.

Slater, who himself has been living with MND since 2022, will continue to shine a light on the cruel illness in the hope of one day finding a cure.

"Rob was a special human," the 35-year-old told BBC Breakfast.

"He has left us so many incredible stories and that's just his rugby career alone – how successful he was defying the odds, the size of the spirit he had

"Then you move on to his life with MND, his devotion to Lindsey [Burrow's wife] and the kids and then of course leading so many of us out of the darkness by shining a light on MND.

"That's why when I heard Rob had passed away the first words I could think of were 'thank you'.

"So many people now have that voice including myself and that's a real gift he's been able to give the MND community.

"The more we see how shocking life is with MND, knowing [there is] no treatment and no cure adds to that message as well because it's so cruel.

"If we continue to do that with fantastic people and the amazing community with MND, I hope we will make big steps in trying to find treatment and a cure."

By January 2021, Burrow had lost the use of his hands and arms and began using a wheelchair after his legs became very weak.

When Burrow lost the ability to talk, he used an eye-gaze machine to communicate with the help of voice recordings.

Slater has credited Burrow with easing his anxiety about losing his mobility and speech.

"That brought on a lot of fear and I spoke to Rob about that and he explained that although he understands, the fact that Lindsey and the kids are around him every day he said he’s never been more comfortable," added former Gloucester and Leicester lock Slater.

"What he was saying to me was if you have your family, that's OK. It might not be how you want it to be but see the beauty in that.

"That's what I focus my mind on when I have those difficult thoughts."