Rob Burrow's wife has revealed the moment they told their children of their father's illness and the bravery they showed to speak at his funeral five years later. Sitting their two daughters down after dinnertime, the couple explained Rob's condition to them. At first the news didn't seem to phase them. Maya, the younger of the two girls, asked: 'Why are you telling us all this? It's boring. Can we watch some TV?'. The innocent response left the family in laughter as Lindsey Burrow says it 'wiped away' their 'dread and anxiety'. However, later that evening, Macy, who is four years older than her sister, had taken some time to absorb the news and asked her mother 'is Daddy going to die?'. Not wanting to lie, Lindsey explained that the illness would eventually take her father's life. Writing in her new book Take Care, which is being serialised by the Sun, Lindsey told how she attempted to comfort her children telling them their father is a 'determined person and would do all he could to look after himself'. Rob was diagnosed with MND in 2019, just two years after retiring from a 17-season league career. He died last year on June 2 after developing pneumonia, unable to communicate and paralysed by MND. He won eight Super League titles with Leeds Rhinos but after being diagnosed with the illness, he dedicated himself to raising awareness and funds for the MND community. His funeral took place five days after his death in a private service at Pontefract Crematorium and was attended by 161 invited guests including his three children, Macy, 13, Maya, nine, and Jackson, six. Guests were seen wearing special rugby ball-shaped badges with 'Rob 7' on - a nod to his former number. Crowds, including young ruby players from Burrow's boyhood club Featherstone Lions, lined along the route with many wearing shirts bearing his name and number. Lindsey took this moment to let her children how admired their father was as Macy asks her 'Why did it have to be my dad?'. She proudly writes about the brave moment her two daughters spoke at the funeral. Maya says: 'Thank you, everyone, for joining us to celebrate the life of our amazing dad.' While Macy opened up about how her father was their 'number one fan' who 'always had a smile on his face'. 'Thank you for being our dad and looking after us. You are without doubt the most bravest, loved dad in the whole world. I hope I grow up to be like you,' she continued. Maya added 'We know that you will be with us every step of the way. Daddy, you will continue to inspire us every day.' Rob's courage and fundraising efforts saw him be awarded an MBE in 2022. Last January, he and former rugby teammate Kevin Sinfield, received CBE honours from Prince William. The pair, who both played for Leeds Rhinos, raised £16million together after Rob's diagnosis. Their touching bond was evident when Kevin carried his friend over the finish line at the Leeds Marathon in 2023- having pushed him in a wheelchair during the gruelling run. Kevin was among the mourners gathering at the crematorium ahead of the moving service. He was granted compassionate leave from England's tour of New Zealand to make the more than 11,000 mile trip back home. Leeds Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington was joined by Rob's former-team mates, including Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Ryan Hall and Jamie Peacock, who captained the late star when they played for England. Rob won eight Grand Finals, three World Club Challenges and two Challenge Cups for Leeds Rhinos as well as 15 caps for England.