A GROUP of rugby league fans will begin an epic challenge to raise money for Rob Burrow this weekend, with the fundraiser's final stage starting in York in December.

The team of eight have set out to collectively run the distance between Land’s End and John O’Groats - a total of more than 800 miles - between this Saturday to Saturday, December 19.

Each member of the team will therefore run an average of seven miles (11.5 kilometres) per week.

The challenge concludes with a final 26-mile run or cycle from the LNER Community Stadium at Monks Cross to the Emerald Headingley Stadium - the home ground of Leeds Rhinos, where rugby league legend Burrow spend the entirety of his famed career.

The eight-time Super League title winner and former England and Great Britain international was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease last year and the December 19 finale marks a year since the news was publicly revealed.

The BBC documentary, ‘Rob Burrow: My Year with MND’, which was broadcast earlier this month inspired the ‘Run for Rob MND’ team.

“Many have watched the hard-hitting documentary on Rob and his diagnosis of MND,” they said.

“Those that know him remember him as a hard-hitting, speedy and agile, dangerous rugby player, and to see his health decline so rapidly is tough.

“Rob is doing amazing things to raise awareness, but as the rugby league family rally around, a group of eight men and women, inspired by his story, have set a challenge to raise funding and awareness of MND.

“Please donate as much as you can to try and hit our very modest £1,000 target.”

To donate, go to justgiving.com/fundraising/rob-burrow-mnd-fundraiser.