'Rob will be with me throughout London Marathon'
Lindsey Burrow says her late husband Rob "will be with me throughout" when she runs the London Marathon on Sunday.Mother-of-three Burrow, 42, is running in memory of former rugby league great Rob, who died in June 2024 after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in 2019.She will also run the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon two weeks later to continue raising money for the Leeds Rhinos Foundation and Leeds Hospitals Charity."He will be in spirit with me throughout the whole run, in my head saying 'come on run faster, you can do this'," Burrow told BBC Yorkshire."As I lace up my trainers I'll definitely be thinking of Rob and the MND community. That is ultimately why I am running the race, to make Rob proud."Rob's MND diagnosis came two years after he retired from a stellar 17-year career at Leeds Rhinos, during which he made almost 500 appearances and won 13 trophies. With the help of former team-mate and close friend Kevin Sinfield, they raised more than £15 million for MND charities as Rob battled the disease himself. Both men were awarded CBEs in the 2024 New Year Honours."Rob will will be at the forefront of my mind. It will be emotional but I'm looking forward to it," said Burrow, who will run the 26.2 miles alongside her brother Mark.
'We can't have gone through this for no positive to come from it'
The official charity of the year for the 45th edition of the London Marathon is Pancreatic Cancer UK.Pancreatic Cancer is the deadliest common cancer - more than half of people in the UK who are diagnosed die within just three months.Thousands of people will be running and raising money for the charity, which is aiming to collect £2m to provide vital early detection tests.Earlier in April, 797 pairs of running shoes, donated by survivors, supporters and families affected by pancreatic cancer, were displayed on the banks of the River Thames in London.Among those running on Sunday will be Jo Curtis, who lost her husband, Stewart, to pancreatic cancer. Stewart, who had been training for the marathon when he was diagnosed, underwent successful surgery but the cancer returned a year later. "A key thing for me has been that we can't have gone through this for no positive to come from it. I kept thinking, 'What can I do?' There was a lightbulb moment where I thought, 'I can do the marathon for him'," Curtis told BBC Sport."My hope is that collectively all of us who are doing it on the day raise a significant amount of awareness for the charity, hopefully a huge amount of money, and that can prolong the life of a dad, a mum, a sister and allow them more time with their family."
'Blind Dave' takes on 17th and final London Marathon
"Stubborn to a fault... A lot of grit and determination... Just dad".That's how Dave Heeley's daughters Grace, Georgie-Lee and Dannie describe their father as they prepare to join him for his 17th and final London Marathon.Widely known as 'Blind Dave', the 67-year-old from West Bromwich first ran the London Marathon in 2002 and has embarked on several extraordinary physical challenges to raise money for charity despite being diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa at the age of 10.Among his achievements, Heeley became the first blind person to run seven marathons across seven continents in seven days in 2008. In 2011, he ran the length of the UK, completing 10 marathons in 10 days from John O'Groats to Land's End."I asked the question, 'Why me? What have I done to deserve this?' Then I went on a bit of a journey and thought, 'You know what kid, life is for living'. Let's go out there and enjoy it," Heeley told BBC Sport."Don't worry about what you cannot do. Concentrate your efforts on what you can do and you will achieve."Heeley, raising money for his club West Brom's Albion Foundation, said running with his daughters on Sunday will be "the best memory of all" after they persuaded him to run one last London Marathon having undergone two knee replacements.
'Still work to be done' - Turnbull continues dad's legacy
Flora Turnbull will continue to spread awareness of prostate cancer after losing her father, former BBC Breakfast presenter Bill Turnbull, to the disease in 2022.The number of prostate cancer referrals within the NHS reached a record high a year after Bill's death, following his work to raise awareness of the disease.His diagnosis coincided with that of actor Stephen Fry, with their willingness to speak about prostate cancer termed the 'Turnbull and Fry effect' by NHS England.On continuing the legacy of her father by running the marathon for Prostate Cancer UK, Turnbull, 33, said: "After his death, we as a family were overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and thanks from people across the nation, and particularly those men who were inspired to learn more about their own prostate cancer risk and speak to their GP."But there is still work to be done. I want to ensure that everyone can keep their dads, partners, brothers, sons, grandads, uncles and friends around as long as possible."
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BBC News
16 hours ago
- BBC News
David 'Syd' Lawrence: 'devastation' among friends after his death
Friends and colleagues have spoken of their "devastation" following the death of former cricketer David "Syd" Lawrence MBE. Lawrence, the first British-born black cricketer to represent England, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in 2024. Earlier this month, the 61-year-old, from Gloucester, said he was "incredibly proud" to be appointed an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours in recognition of his services to cricket. Mark Alleyne, head coach at Gloucestershire County Cricket Club (GCCC) said: "When you come to moments like this, as sad as it is, at least we know one thing that he lived a very full and colourful life." MND is a rare, degenerative condition that affects the brain and nerves. There is no cure. Peter Matthews, chair of GCCC, said a minute's silence was held at the start of Sunday's home match against Derbyshire to commemorate the "desperately sad" passing of Lawrence."Because of the nature of [MND], you know it's going to happen at some stage, but it's still a shock," Mr Matthews credited Lawrence's "wonderful legacy" both on and off the field. "He always gave everything. He was a brilliant cricketer."He broke down barriers, he was so obviously himself, he exuded confidence, but obviously he was a really genuine man alongside that confidence."He was a wonderful president. While of course his body was failing him, the tragedy in some respects of motor neurone disease is that the brain doesn't fail you, so he was always there to give ideas and provide insight to me as a relatively new chair," Mr Matthews added. Neil Priscott, chief executive officer of GCCC, described Lawrence's work with the club as "transformational". "He brought in life, that energy and that infectious spirit. He brought that in his presidency in day one. "He wanted us to reach out to communities far and wide, push ourselves, do more, find the next generation of talent and that infectiousness sort of carried everyone with him."Syd's been an icon for this club on the field and off it. "We absolutely want to continue that legacy and do that in his honour." David Graveney, vice chairman of GCCC, was Lawrence's first captain. At the start of Lawrence's career, Mr Graveney watched him develop from a county bowler to an international star. "His legacy to the game is in many, many forms. "The fact he was the first English-born black person to play for England was a thing he was very proud of and he was the first black president of the cricket club - another thing he was really proud of. "He shows that actually it doesn't matter what your background is, if you apply yourself then the sky's the limit," Mr Graveney said. Andy Brassington is a former cricketer and friend of Lawrence. He visited Lawrence on Saturday and was with him just an hour before he passed away. "It's been a terrible illness. He's taken it head on, like he does with everything"To see him in the state he was in then, there was a lot of relief when they called me to say he'd passed on because it wasn't a good place to be for him. "He's probably in a better place now, that's for sure," Mr Brassington said. He added that the cricketing world will look after Lawrence's wife and son and will carry on his legacy. "He's been brave, he's a very proud man, his appearance is everything to him, yet he put himself in the shop window to show people how this disease can tear your body apart. "He's given hope to people. We all need heroes, we all need idols and Syd was there for so many people. "I always say time is the greatest gift you can give anybody and Syd gave a lot of people a lot of time," said Mr Brassington. Lawrence established himself as a "club icon" throughout his 16-year career, becoming known for his "thunderous run-up, fearless fast bowling and ever-present energy", his family said in a statement. He played five Test Matches for England and took 625 wickets in 280 matches before his cricket career was cut short by injury in 2022, Lawrence was appointed president of GCCC - a position he held up until his his final year, Lawrence appeared at many charity events to raise awareness of MND.
North Wales Chronicle
18 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
England stars past and present pay tribute to ‘fierce competitor' David Lawrence
Lawrence has died at the age of 61, a year on from making his devastating diagnosis public. The Gloucestershire favourite, a tearaway fast bowler whose international career was cut short by a terrible knee injury, was a well-loved character within the game as well and the first British-born black cricketer to play for England. Everyone at the ECB is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of David 'Syd' Lawrence MBE. All of our thoughts are with David's family and friends during this difficult time. — England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 22, 2025 A minute's applause was held at Headingley ahead of day three of the first Rothesay Test against India, with Ben Stokes' side wearing black armbands in Lawrence's honour. Tufnell, who shared the field with Lawrence in what proved to be his final Test, told BBC's Test Match Special: 'He was a great man, Syd, a fierce competitor. He was a great friend of mine. 'He was a sight to behold, coming in with the ball in hand: a great big fella, all arms and legs and determination. 'He was a very intimidating sight but with a very soft, warm heart. He had a great sense of humour. He would literally walk into a room and just fill the room with smiles and laughter and stories. 'He always sort of looked after the underdog. God, he got me out of a few scrapes!' Mark Butcher, who faced Lawrence in his brief comeback following the reconstruction of his knee and remembers being bounced out by him, told Sky Sports: 'He didn't have that raw pace then but goodnees gracious me he came thundering in. I think he was the bowler that stopped me hooking. 'He was a big bear of a man, a full throttle individual who wore his heart on his sleeve. He was so proud to have represented England. Every time you met him there was genuine warmth there. 'To see the way things ended up for him was incredibly sad.' Former England bowler Stuart Broad lost his step-mother Miche to MND in 2010 and helps run the Broad Appeal, raising awareness and money to for research into the disease. 'There'll be a lot of sad people around the country and around the world with Syd's passing,' he said. 'But the MND community is very strong, very focused and very driven about finding a cure. We hope and pray a cure will be found at some stage.'
South Wales Guardian
19 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
England stars past and present pay tribute to ‘fierce competitor' David Lawrence
Lawrence has died at the age of 61, a year on from making his devastating diagnosis public. The Gloucestershire favourite, a tearaway fast bowler whose international career was cut short by a terrible knee injury, was a well-loved character within the game as well and the first British-born black cricketer to play for England. Everyone at the ECB is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of David 'Syd' Lawrence MBE. All of our thoughts are with David's family and friends during this difficult time. — England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 22, 2025 A minute's applause was held at Headingley ahead of day three of the first Rothesay Test against India, with Ben Stokes' side wearing black armbands in Lawrence's honour. Tufnell, who shared the field with Lawrence in what proved to be his final Test, told BBC's Test Match Special: 'He was a great man, Syd, a fierce competitor. He was a great friend of mine. 'He was a sight to behold, coming in with the ball in hand: a great big fella, all arms and legs and determination. 'He was a very intimidating sight but with a very soft, warm heart. He had a great sense of humour. He would literally walk into a room and just fill the room with smiles and laughter and stories. 'He always sort of looked after the underdog. God, he got me out of a few scrapes!' Mark Butcher, who faced Lawrence in his brief comeback following the reconstruction of his knee and remembers being bounced out by him, told Sky Sports: 'He didn't have that raw pace then but goodnees gracious me he came thundering in. I think he was the bowler that stopped me hooking. 'He was a big bear of a man, a full throttle individual who wore his heart on his sleeve. He was so proud to have represented England. Every time you met him there was genuine warmth there. 'To see the way things ended up for him was incredibly sad.' Former England bowler Stuart Broad lost his step-mother Miche to MND in 2010 and helps run the Broad Appeal, raising awareness and money to for research into the disease. 'There'll be a lot of sad people around the country and around the world with Syd's passing,' he said. 'But the MND community is very strong, very focused and very driven about finding a cure. We hope and pray a cure will be found at some stage.'
