Lindsey, the wife of Rob Burrow, is dedicated to supporting families through grief by ensuring that discussions about him occur regularly within their household. Rob, the former Leeds Rhinos star, succumbed to motor neurone disease (MND) in June 2024 at the age of 41, following a diagnosis in December 2019. Lindsey, aged 42, has since been actively involved in fundraising for his Foundation and assisting other families coping with emotional hardships.
She has brought attention to recent research conducted by the ‘Celebration Day’ charity, revealing that over half of parents feel apprehensive about broaching the topic of death with their children. This charity encourages people to commemorate and honor significant individuals who have shaped their lives on the last Monday of May each year.
In an interview with Sky News, Lindsey, now a single mother to their three children – Macy, Maya, and Jackson, ages 14, 10, and 7 respectively – expressed the family’s commitment to discussing Rob daily. Initially, she found it challenging to address his passing with the children, stating, “As a parent, you simply want to shield your children, and handling your own grief along with three grieving children is incredibly tough.”
She emphasized the importance of open dialogue about grief and loss, underscoring the significance of addressing these emotions. Lindsey mentioned that the UK government plans to introduce grief and bereavement education into the national curriculum starting September, in collaboration with Celebration Day distributing ‘finding the words’ resources to schools.
Rob, renowned for his extensive rugby career with Leeds Rhinos, became a prominent advocate for MND awareness, contributing significantly to research funding. His efforts led to the establishment of a specialized MND center in Leeds bearing his name.
Reflecting on her coping mechanism post Rob’s demise, Lindsey shared with Sky News, “Dealing with grief involves good and bad days, but my children keep me occupied. They are my top priority and the motivation behind my daily smiles.” She praised her children for embodying Rob’s bravery and zest for life, emphasizing the importance of cherishing each day to the fullest, echoing Rob’s life philosophy.
Lindsey previously discussed her preparation before Rob’s passing, researching how to address the children’s emotions and support them during the difficult time. She found solace in the knowledge that Rob’s final moments were peaceful, surrounded by loved ones.
She has penned a memoir titled Take Care, chronicling her caregiving journey for Rob and capturing poignant moments with him before his passing. Lindsey expressed gratitude for the family’s shared memories and emphasized the peaceful nature of Rob’s departure, hoping it instills a positive perception of death within their children.
Before his passing, Rob recorded a video message urging people to embrace life fully and bravely face challenges. The video, part of a BBC documentary, conveyed his hope for a future cure for MND, embodying his resilient spirit in the face of adversity.