Leeds Rhinos legend Rob Burrow is recording his voice to play for his children

Burrow, who has two daughters and a one-year-old son, was diagnosed with the incurable disease in December and spoke about his battle alongside fellow sufferers Doddie Weir and Stephen Darby in an interview with BBC Breakfast.

"This is nothing like my voice was, but hopefully, through lots of interviews and audio, I can tell the kids off and tell them I love them.

"For my voice to say their name is important.

"I'm currently on with that, hopefully I can communicate with them on many levels."

Burrow played in a moving joint benefit match with team-mate Jamie Jones-Buchanan at Headingley Stadium last month.

A fundraiser for Burrow on VirginMoney has raised more than £320,000, with more than 12,200 people donating.

The fund will support Burrow in his treatment and help his wife and three young children, all under the age of eight, in the years ahead.

On the BBC, the trio discussed the impact MND has had on them, the importance of talking and their desire to raise awareness of the disease.

"We're campaigning, all three of us," former Scotland rugby union international Weir said. "We are in a special group and we need help.

"There is no cure. It's a terminal illness - people have an average life expectancy between one and three years."

Former Bradford defender Darby said: "It's through unfortunate circumstances that we've come together but it's something which we need to turn into a positive.

"I think by being here today talking about what we're going through and talking about MND and how devastating a disease it is, it's important that we raise that awareness and we get that message out there."