This Sunday sees the 40th anniversary of the iconic Great North Run.

I can barely believe I’m saying this but the race’s founder, Sir Brendan Foster, has asked me to wear Race Number 1.

Given the outside chance that this might not be my finishing position, I’ve been wondering what else I could do with such a privileged position.

And I’ve decided, having watched his incredible documentary, to run the race in honour of a true King Of The North - Rob Burrow MBE.

Rob was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in December 2019 and has faced up to this challenge in the same courageous and classy way that he played his Rugby League for Leeds. He has dedicated himself to helping others.

When his former teammate, the legendary Kevin Sinfield OBE, decided to run seven marathons in seven days, through rain, snow and wind in the depths of last winter, it spoke volumes about Rob. You just knew that only a truly exceptional person could inspire this level of loyalty and commitment.

Kevin raised a huge amount of money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association and, whilst I can’t come close to his efforts, I am using the race to help get a new fundraising campaign going - for the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease in Leeds.

I am running the race alongside Rob’s amazing wife Lindsey and we would both be hugely grateful for any help you can give us.

The overall fundraising target for the centre is £5 million. Together we can build a down-payment on this and help families struggling with the effects of this terrible disease.

Many thanks,

Andy Burnham