IT is set to be a friendly like no other when Bulls visit Headingley on Sunday to face Leeds with the sentiment switching from preparation to donation.

The third pre-season match in Bradford’s build-up to the 2020 Betfred Championship campaign was always set to be Jamie Jones Buchanan’s testimonial but ever since the sad news was announced that Rob Burrow was diagnosed with motor neurone disease, it came out that the money collected would be split between the legendary half-back’s fund and that of Buchanan’s.

This has encouraged a number of Bulls supporters to do their bit in aiming to raise as much as possible to such a great cause.

When Burrow explained his situation before Christmas, Bulls commentator Mick Gledill had the idea of leading a walk from Odsal to Headingley on the day of the game.

The initiative has so far raised over £2,000 and has led to RFL chairman Simon Johnson, former Bradford players Carl Hall and Leon Pryce, and coaches Paul Anderson and Andrew Henderson all signing up to the 11-mile stroll.

Gledhill describes why he decided to launch the fundraiser and how he hopes it can benefit the fund.

He said: “I felt at the time that I needed to do something.

“I thought Rob (Burrow) has been such a fantastic player, not just what he has done to Leeds Rhinos, but for the sport as a whole.

“He has been by far one of the most relentless and courageous players from that golden era of the Rhinos.

“When I set the walk up in my head, I thought it tied in well with my fitness routine, which I have been working on in Jordan Lilley’s gym, but I didn’t expect over 100 people to sign up to it.

“What I have done is told everybody who is doing the walk to donate to the Rob Burrow fund.

“There is a couple of Bradford fans that I want to give special praise to - Viv Lamont and Karl Davies, who between them they have raised over £600.

“They’re both staunch Bradford fans and are going to do the walk in Leeds Rhinos shirts.

“After everything that has happened in Bradford in the off-season - would we have a club, Andrew Chalmers leaving - it just renews a bit of faith that might have ebbed away.

“I have spoken to the Motor Neurone Disease Association and they are going to send me some charity buckets for the walk.

“I am not sure what the total amount is going to be but I am overwhelmed for Rob, his family and the charity.”

The West Yorkshire teams will put rivalry aside in their effort to help the two men’s charities in front of an expected sell out crowd.

Burrow himself will don the blue and amber shirt in the last 20 minutes and will be joined by legends from both sides as they come out in their support.

The likes of Kevin Sinfield, Jamie Peacock, Robbie Hunter-Paul and Stuart Fielden are all expected to take to the field.

Gledhill is pleased with how the rugby league family have reacted with over £220,000 raised already for the fund, and has urged his fellow fans to pack out the Leeds stadium.

He added: “Over 14,000 tickets have been sold for the game so that just shows you that the Bradford and Leeds fans are once again demonstrating their affection and support for Rob Burrow, who is a legend of the sport.

“There is not going to be a dry set of eyes inside the house when he comes onto that pitch.

“It is going to be really emotional and I am quite tearful just thinking about.

“I would just echo what (Bulls coach) John Kear said. In times of difficulty we have got to rally around and look after our own.

“If you get to Headingley just to see Rob play his last game, a sell out crowd sends a strong message out .

“Credit to Rob Burrow for putting on the shirt while he is battling this awful disease.”

Walkers are meeting outside Odsal Stadium on Rooley Avenue at 9.45am on Sunday for a 10am start.