Lindsey Burrow, Annie Moody, Kathy Weir & Joanna Slater

Campaigning Champions Award Winners

Lindsey Burrow, Annie Moody, Kathy Weir & Joanna Slater

Transforming Personal Tragedy into National Impact

Lindsey Burrow, Annie Moody, Kathy Weir, and Joanna Slater were honoured with the Campaigning Champions Award at the 72nd Women of the Year Lunch and Awards for their extraordinary contribution to driving national awareness and vital fundraising for motor neurone disease (MND). Following the heartbreaking diagnoses of their husbands—rugby legends Rob Burrow, Lewis Moody, Doddie Weir, and Ed Slater—these four remarkable women found strength in unity, turning unimaginable personal grief into a powerful movement for change, support, and hope.

Driving Awareness, Research & Care

United by shared determination and resilience, each campaigner has built an enduring legacy in the fight against MND and related conditions:

  • Lindsey Burrow: Worked alongside her late husband, rugby league star Rob Burrow, to raise national awareness and support families living with MND. She played a central role in establishing the Rob Burrow Centre for MND Research, which was officially opened by Prince William in 2025.
  • Annie Moody: Stood alongside her husband, former England international Lewis Moody, throughout their family’s MND journey. In 2014, she co-founded The Lewis Moody Foundation, raising crucial funds and awareness for brain tumour research.
  • Kathy Weir: Cared for her husband, former Scotland international Doddie Weir, following his MND diagnosis in 2017 until his passing in 2022. Today, as a trustee for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, she continues to honour his legacy while supporting the wider MND community.
  • Joanna Slater: Cares for her husband, former Gloucester rugby player Ed Slater, following his MND diagnosis in 2022. Together, they launched the 4Ed campaign, which has raised £500,000 to support families living with the condition and advance MND causes.

In the Winners’ Words:

“Work like this is simply what anyone in our shoes would do. Being part of this ceremony and surrounded by such incredible support is girl power at its finest.” — Lindsey Burrow, Annie Moody, Kathy Weir & Joanna Slater

Chair’s Tribute:

“Lindsey, Annie, Kathy and Joanne have transformed unimaginable suffering into a powerful movement for change. By speaking out with such honesty and compassion, these women have helped shift the conversation around MND, reminding us of the urgent need for greater awareness, understanding and action. These women’s remarkable courage, determination and commitment to making a difference embody everything the Women of the Year Campaigning Champions Award stands for. It is an honour and a real privilege to recognise their achievements.” — Diane Kenwood, Chair, Women of the Year