Sir Kevin Sinfield has been knighted by Prince William at Windsor Castle, ending a three-year wait imposed by the UK honours system. The former England rugby league captain was one of 60 people to receive honours from the Prince of Wales, in recognition of his services to the motor neurone disease (MND) community and to rugby league and union.
Sinfield, 46, has raised over £13 million for MND causes since 2020, when he began fundraising for his former Leeds team-mate Rob Burrow, who died from the condition in 2024. His efforts have included endurance challenges such as running marathons and ultramarathons on consecutive days.
Promise to Burrow's family
Sinfield's latest feat involved completing seven ultramarathons in seven days, finishing at Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester ahead of the Super League Grand Final. It marked the seventh year he has taken on the challenge in honour of Burrow.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Sinfield said his team of volunteers would be afforded a rest, but he would continue. He said: "The team, it was right we made this seven because seven felt right. The commitment from the team has been unbelievable. They're all volunteers. They all put so much time and effort into it. There's no events company or marketing company. It's 16 of us."
He added: "I think I felt I needed to release, if that's the right word, disconnect, uncouple... I can't find the right term that has enough warmth for that group. Set them free... I'm not sure they want to be set free. We'll see. But I will be going again."
Knighthood ban ended
Sinfield said he was "massively humbled by the whole experience" and "very proud to accept it on behalf of the MND community and their families". His knighthood came after tradition prevented him from receiving an upgraded honour within three years of his last one. His CBE, announced in 2023 but awarded in 2024, left him waiting until the ban ended in 2026.
Sinfield and Burrow were presented with CBEs at Headingley Stadium in 2024 by William. Sinfield said of the Prince: "I think he champions pulling communities together and I have seen how the MND community have come together on the back of Rob’s diagnosis and several other high-profile sportspeople over the last six or seven years. So his support and obviously Princess Catherine’s as well, they’ve been wonderful and bring a real credibility to what we’re trying to do."
Next fundraising challenge
Sinfield revealed that a trip Down Under for his next 7 for 7 challenge has been in the works in honour of Burrow. He added on BBC Breakfast: "It has to look different and it has to feel different. I made a commitment for life. I'm in this for life. There'll come a point where I can't run."
He continued: "The team didn't make this commitment. I'd like to go again. It has to look different. I'd like us to go Down Under. Since March this year, there's been a bit of a plan of going after Australia and New Zealand and doing a 7 in 7 there. Put the codes together - rugby league, rugby union, Aussie Rules. I've got a lot of friends over there who I think would be keen to support. MND is big over there, too. I think if we can go after this globally and pull countries together, we have a chance of curing it sooner."
