“We must still dare to dream”

“He was simply the best”

Burrow’s widow also paid an emotional tribute to her late husband, vowing to raise the couple’s three children “the way Rob would want”, while hailing him as “simply the best”.

In a statement released through her husband’s former club Leeds Rhinos, she said: “I was incredibly proud and lucky to call Rob my husband.

“I am incredibly proud of the campaign he has done to raise awareness and the millions of pounds that have been raised in his name for MND charities.

“I would like to thank the Rugby League community and everyone for the outpouring of love and support since Rob’s diagnosis. I really appreciate every message of support and fundraising that has been done.

“My priority is to make Rob proud and raise our three children as Rob would want and ensure their happiness and well-being.

“We will continue to keep Rob’s legacy alive. We will continue to “beat the drum” and do our best to try to help others.

“Although I knew this day would come, I feel somewhat lost for words that our loving, kind and caring husband and father is gone.

“However, we are comforted by how much people’s continued love and support have meant to Rob during his most vulnerable times.

“He was simply the best.”

“He wanted people to have a better perspective on life”

Burrow’s parents wept earlier as they watched work start on a £6m motor neurone disease center in honor of their son, who died aged 41 on Sunday.

Geoff Burrow, father of the Rugby League icon, appeared alongside Dr Agam Jung, a consultant neurologist and leader of Burrow’s care team, at a ceremony on Monday.

Burrow’s sisters Claire Burnett and Joanne Hartshorn were also present, along with mother Irene and lead architect Toby Ingle.