Rob Burrow's disability van was vandalised while he was out for a Christmas meal with his family, the former rugby league star's father has furiously revealed.
The 40-year-old, who retired from the sport in 2017, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2019. Burrow was honoured at the recent Sports Personality of the Year ceremony, winning the Helen Rollason Award.
Burrow's dad Geoff shared details of the despicable act of vandalism, calling the perpetrator "scum of a person". "Well oh well - my family went out, with my wonderful Son Rob, for a lovely meal at Rockello’s in Glasshoughton Castleford tonight," Geoff Burrow wrote on Twitter. "Unfortunately a disgrace of a person decided to scratch all over Rob’s Disability van. "How low are some people hey ! Sleep well you scum of a person."
A number of stars from the rugby league world showed their support, including former England and Great Britain international Paul Sculthorpe and ex Leeds Rhinos star Barrie McDermott.
"Some people have no morals in life Geoff, karma will catch up with them," Sculthorpe replied. "You, your family and that legend of a son just keep showing the way and inspiring Have a lovely Christmas x"
McDermott described the act as "horrible," while more than one Twitter user offered to help Burrow and his family arrange any necessary repairs for the van.
Rob Burrow and former team-mate Kevin Sinfield has both been honoured at the SPOTY ceremony earlier in December, bringing fans to tears. The pair walked on stage together, with Rob giving an emotional acceptance speech.
"I'm inspired to keep going by my friend Kevin Sinfield, the guy who makes the impossible possible, and my family as a whole who have put their family on hold to care for me," the former scrum-half said.
"Especially my beautiful wide Lindsey and my amazing kids. Lindsey did not expect to sign up for this but she puts me first and foremost. I'm not here without her sacrifice. Lastly, this is for all the MND warriors out there, we will not stop with finding a cure. Thanks for your help."
Sinfield, who has moved into coaching after retirement, has raised more than £7m for motor neurone disease. "Rob is probably the most inspirational bloke in the UK. He has inspired us to be better friends," he said at the SPOTY ceremony.
"In sport and certainly in rugby, the connections you make, the friends don't just stop when the whistle goes. Sport is powerful enough to bring communities together.
"What we witnessed was a nation that cared about the MND community. MND isn't incurable, it's just underfunded. We've got to keep fighting. We will keep banging the drum."
"Can anyone help out the Burrow family please for this horrendous incident?" one Twitter user said after the incident. "Happy to contribute and if not pay for this if no one else will Geoff it will get sorted.
"The comments show how much Rob and family are thought of," wrote another. "If I was a body repairer I’d fix it. I’m not and so I would happily contribute to the cost of repair, as many have suggested. Please have a happy, family Christmas."
