Battle of the Roses at the Burrow Strictly Ball!

If 99.9% of people had asked me to take part in a Strictly contest, the answer would have been a firm NO!

I genuinely can’t think of anything more likely to take me and my two left feet right outside of my comfort zone.

But there’s 99.9% of people and then there’s … Rob Burrow.

When Rob dropped me a message asking me to take part in the Burrow Strictly Ball, I instinctively (if nervously) said yes.

I loved watching Rob play as one of the most outstanding Rugby League talents of his generation. But his and his whole family’s courage in facing up to this devastating condition of MND tells you everything you need to know about the Burrows. To turn their experience to huge public good, and create a permanent legacy for a much-neglected disease at Leeds Teaching Hospital, is hugely inspiring and motivating. Their campaign has captivated a nation and is something everyone should get behind.

So, subjecting myself to a 5-minute humiliation at the Wembley of ballroom dancing in Blackpool is the very least I can do! To add to the pressure, the contest will be a Mayoral Battle of the Roses - with me coming head to head with the Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin. Given that Tracy was a “West Yorkshire Disco Dancing Champion” in the 1980s, I don’t fancy my chances!

But all is not lost and I have been fantastically coached by my brilliant dance partner Cara Tighe and her other half Chris. It you could help us by donating towards my target, it would give me a lot of encouragement and support people with Motor Neurone Disease for many years to come. 🙏🏻