I’m climbing 7 peaks in a WHEELCHAIR in honour of my mate Rob Burrow…I’ll never forget what he did for me before he died
A MAN climbing seven mountains in a wheelchair to honour his friend Rob Burrow says he never will forget what the sporting legend did for him before he died.
Ian Flatt, 58, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2019 – he is now wheelchair bound and has difficulty doing the most basic tasks, like breathing.
But the former company director has set himself strenuous physical tasks over the last five years as he seeks to best the degenerative condition.
On Sunday he is set to complete his latest challenge: climbing seven peaks to raise money for The Rob Burrow Centre for MND at Leeds Hospital.
Sunday also sees Rob Burrow’s funeral after the Rugby League ace died from the same disease on June 3.
In seven weeks, Flatt has, with the help of family, friends, and supporters, managed to climb the difficult paths up Whernside, Wild Boar Fell, Mount Snowdon, Pen-y-Fan, Ben Chonzie, and Skiddaw.
But it’s for his rugby league legend mate that he gives the greatest credit for his incredible feat to.
Flatt said: “My initial hope when we were talking about it last year was that Rob and his family would be with us on the seventh and come and cheer us off on that last mountain, sadly that’s not possible with Rob passing.
“But it is somewhat fitting his funeral is on Rob Burrow Day… it’s a bitter sweet coincidence.
“And I’m sure when we get to the top of the hill on Sunday we’ll have a moment or two to celebrate and think of Rob.
Flatt said that Burrow had been an inspiration to keep on fighting and living after finding out he had the disease.
“It can be quite a lonely place sometimes dealing with the diagnosis and the prognosis and Rob lifted that burden off me.”
“Rob led by example, he showed us in so many ways by what he did out in public and how he and his family opened themselves up and showed their truth.
“He showed us all that it’s possible to live and flourish at times with this disease.”
Flatt said Rob had brought many people suffering from MND and their families out of the shadows and “welded” people into a community group.
“I’m fairly strong and I’m incredibly lucky I have an incredible support team with friends and family… but you’d always get a feeling that Rob someway or another has a guiding hand in these things [events].”
Flatt last saw Burrow in April when the former Rugby League player didn’t have his computer that he used to speak with him.
“Sometimes when you’re with people, special people who mean the world to you, you don’t need to talk, you know, sometimes in Robb’s company you just felt how special he was and it always felt reciprocal.
“I felt deeply connected to him… there was just come magnetism in him and we got each other because we’re battling the same thing.
Rob Burrow: Rugby legend and hero to millions
The fan favourite passed away after a brave battle with motor neurone disease, Leeds Rhinos announced.
Burrow was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2019, just two years after retiring from a 17-season rugby league career.
He passed away peacefully at Pinderfield’s Hospital near his home surrounded by his loving family after becoming ill earlier this month.
The small but mighty rugby icon played his entire career with Leeds Rhinos and won every honour with the club as part of their golden generation.
He scooped eight Super League titles in an illustrious playing career while also representing England and Great Britain internationally.
After being diagnosed with the illness, he dedicated himself to raising awareness and funds for the MND community with the support of close friend and former Leeds team-mate Kevin Sinfield.
The Prince of Wales paid tribute to Burrow describing him as a “legend of Rugby League” who had a “huge heart”.
William added: “He taught us, ‘in a world full of adversity, we must dare to dream’.”
Grieving fans have already gathered to lay down shirts and flowers in memory of Burrow outside Leeds Rhinos’ stadium.
Internationally, Burrow – who was awarded a CBE in January 2023 – was capped 15 times by England and played five Tests for Great Britain.
But he was best known as part of the Leeds team that won the Super League in 2004.
It was a victory that ended the club’s 32-year wait for a title, while he was then named Man of the Match in Rhinos’ 2007 and 2011 victories.
As time went on the former rugby player had to be cared for round-the-clock and ended up weighing only seven stone.
Rob, who eventually became non-verbal, could only eat liquidised food spoon fed to him by wife Lindsey.
A married father of three young children, he could articulate his thoughts through Eyegaze, a device which translates blinks into letters and then builds them into words on a screen.
And his wife Lindsey was a steadfast rock who carried Burrow around their home and did everything for him.
“Whenever he would turn his eyes on you and smile, there could be 500 people in the room, but you could feel as if you were alone with him.”
“A very very special, incredibly special human being.”
Flatt said it would be “emotional” and the event would help people celebrate an “incredible life” when he no doubt reaches the top of the Yorkshire Matterhorn on Sunday.
“It’s going to be a celebration of Rob, we all knew him well enough to know he wouldn’t want us sad and down, he would want us to celebrate.
“It’ll just be a moment to reflect, to celebrate, i don’t doubt it will be a moment with tears.”
Flatt said that climbing up the mountains made him feel “like superman.”
What is motor neurone disease?
MND is caused by a problem with cells in the brain and nerves called motor neurones.
These cells gradually stop working over time, but it’s not known why this happens, the NHS says.
Muscle weakness and stiff joints are common symptoms of motor neurone disease.
Other potential indicators of MND, which affects around 5,000 people in the UK, include a loss of muscle mass, or wasting, and movement and mobility problems.
Stiffness is also common, as are cramps, twitches and spasms.
And many people will experience speech and communication issues, breathlessness and changes in saliva.