Lindsey Burrow and Flora Turnbull among thousands fundraising for causes close to their hearts

The former rugby league player for Leeds Rhinos passed away in June 2024, five years after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND). 

He is survived by Lindsey, who works as a physiotherapist at the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, and their three children (pictured above). She will take part alongside her brother, Mark, to continue raising money for both Leeds Hospitals Charity and Leeds Rhinos Foundation, the official charity of Rob’s former club.

Rob was diagnosed with MND in December 2019, just two years after retiring from a glittering 17-year career at Leeds where he made just under 500 appearances and won 13 trophies, including eight Super League titles.  

However, with the help of his former team-mate and close friend Kevin Sinfield, he went on to help raise more than £15 million for MND charities through extensive charity fundraising and campaigning for MND awareness. Both men were awarded CBEs by Prince William in the 2024 New Year Honours, five months before Rob passed away aged 41.

In December 2024, Leeds Hospitals Charity announced it would open the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease this summer, a state-of-the-art centre designed to care for people living with MND, after its fundraising target of £6.8 million was reached.

Speaking about what the 2025 TCS London Marathon means to her, Lindsey said: “Running the London Marathon after losing my husband, Rob, to motor neurone disease is not just a physical challenge; it's a deeply personal journey of love, loss, and resilience.  

“As I lace up my shoes, I carry with me the spirit of my beloved husband, Rob. His strength in the face of MND inspires me to push beyond my limits and find purpose in the midst of loss. This marathon represents not only a tribute to his incredible fight but also a celebration of the love we shared and the memories we created.  

“Each mile I run is a testament to his enduring legacy, a reminder that even in the darkest times, we can find purpose and hope. I am running for him, for all those affected by this disease, and for the belief that together, we can make a difference.” 

After Bill’s diagnosis became public in 2018, there was a huge spike in diagnoses across the UK – referred to by Prostate Cancer UK as the Fry-Turnbull effect, named after both Bill and fellow national treasure Stephen Fry, who was also diagnosed in 2018.  

A year after Bill’s passing in August 2022, the number of prostate cancer referrals within the NHS reached a record high. His bravery in speaking out about his disease continues to help men across the country understand the condition.

Speaking on the legacy of her father, Flora 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. That’s why I signed up to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK. I want to ensure that everyone can keep their dads, partners, brothers, sons, grandads, uncles, and friends around as long as possible.”  

Among those taking part to raise money for the charity are Rebecca, Fiona, and Carys.

Pancreatic Cancer UK (PCUK) funds research, provides support, and campaigns for those suffering from pancreatic cancer, the deadliest common cancer where more than half of people in the UK die within three months of diagnosis.  

Rebecca Cox, 32, from Amersham in Buckinghamshire, will be running in her first TCS London Marathon to raise money for PCUK after her dad, Steven, passed away from pancreatic cancer in November 2022, just one month and a day after his diagnosis once he had returned early from holiday with stomach pains. 

Rebecca decided to apply in the 2025 ballot for in the event, despite not being a runner at that point, after learning PCUK would be the 2025 TCS London Marathon Official Charity of the Year. 

Rebecca said: “Thinking about the start line makes me emotional; there will be a lot of tears. A huge challenge will be making sure I’m not dehydrated from crying!  

“The time doesn’t matter. I am here and I get to experience the TCS London Marathon. I can do it. There are so many people affected by pancreatic cancer who can’t. I am doing it for them.” 

Fiona Farmer, 37, from Cullompton in Devon, will be running for PCUK after recovering from sepsis, which hospitalised her in February 2024, at which time a cyst was also discovered in her pancreas.  

She was worried about possibly having pancreatic cancer, just a few months after her grandfather had passed away from the very same disease. Thankfully, no cancer was found, but extensive surgery meant the head of her pancreas, her gallbladder, and a part of her stomach had to be removed.

Fiona took up running after being discharged from hospital last year and she decided to raise money for PCUK at this year’s London Marathon.

Carys Thomas, 30, from Newport in Wales, will run in memory of her dad and her uncle who both passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2023.

She and her dad, Paul, had a long-standing tradition of sitting together and watching the London Marathon on TV every year, but last year’s broadcast marked her first time alone without her dad on Marathon Day.

However, when Carys saw the announcement that PCUK was going to be the TCS London Marathon’s Official Charity of the Year for 2025, she took this as a sign and immediately applied.