Yorkshire law firm Chadwick Lawrence had three team members running the inaugural Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon on 14 May 2023 in support of motor neurone disease, and raised a combined £2080 for charity.
Neil Wilson (Managing Partner), Sam Pawson (Partner and Head of Employment) and Paul Marshall (Finance Manager) ran the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon on 14 May 2023. Head of IT, Dan Bell also volunteered at the event, handing out medals.
This is the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon’s inaugural year. The event is to raise money for motor neurone disease, a devastating illness which sadly has affected many people in the UK, including Leeds Rhinos legend Rob Burrow.
Rob Burrow is a former professional rugby league player, spending 16 years with the Leeds Rhinos. With his team, he won eight Super League championships and two Challenge Cups. In December 2019, Burrow was diagnosed with motor neurone disease. Since then he, his family, and teammate Kevin Sinfield have dedicated much of their time to raising awareness and money for motor neurone disease.
The marathon saw over 10,000 participants take on a new route through Leeds and the surrounding countryside, starting and ending at Headingley Stadium, a tribute to Rob’s infamous sporting career with the Rhinos. The event was held in support of the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Appeal as well as the MND Association.
Sam Pawson, (pictured below left) who has now run his first marathon comments “ Like all the runners, I ran on behalf of Rob Burrow raising money for the MNDA. As a lifelong Rhinos fan and someone fortunate to have met Rob on a few occasions, I am honoured to raise money for a wonderful cause and an even better bloke.” Sam has raised money for two other charities. Dementia UK, and Barts Charity, both of which hold a very special place in his, and many others, hearts.
Paul Marshall comments “The training regime was difficult, physically and mentally but it was such an amazing sense of achievement knowing your body can achieve so much”.
Managing Partner Neil Wilson (pictured crossing the finishing line) says “Having previously signed up for the London Marathon in support of MND Association, and had to drop out having contracted COVID it has felt like a long time coming to be able to run in support of MND. The firm has been long-time friends and partners with Leeds Rhinos so it has felt particularly apt to run this marathon.”
The firm could not be more proud of the team and their achievements both for themselves and for MNDA.
