Sir Kevin Sinfield has pledged to continue his fundraising efforts for motor neurone disease after completing seven ultramarathons in seven days, with a trip to Australia and New Zealand now in the pipeline. The newly-knighted former rugby league captain made the promise to the Burrow family following his latest gruelling challenge.
Seven ultramarathons completed
Sinfield's latest achievement saw him complete seven ultramarathons across seven consecutive days. He crossed the finishing line at Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester last week, ahead of the Super League Grand Final. The accomplishment marked the seventh successive year that Sinfield has taken on this punishing challenge in tribute to Burrow.
What began in 2020 as a personal mission to support his former team-mate Rob Burrow in his battle with motor neurone disease has grown into a £13million movement. Burrow's death in 2024 only deepened Sinfield's resolve, pushing the 46-year-old through back-to-back ultramarathons and endurance tests.
Promise to the Burrow family
Speaking to BBC Breakfast earlier this week, Sinfield 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 bestowed
Sinfield can now use the title 'Sir' before his name following his knighthood ceremony with Prince William on Wednesday. The former England rugby league captain was among 60 individuals to receive honours from the Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle, recognised for his services to the MND community and contributions to both rugby league and union.
He described feeling "massively humbled by the whole experience" and "very proud to accept it on behalf of the MND community and their families". Sinfield's knighthood arrived after years of anticipation due to regulations within the UK honours system. Convention prohibits individuals from receiving an enhanced honour within three years of their previous one, meaning Sinfield's CBE, revealed in 2023 but conferred in 2024, meant he had to wait until he could receive his knighthood. Sinfield had been passed over for the highest recognition at the New Year's Honours list on multiple occasions, but finally became eligible as the three-year restriction concluded in 2026.
Sinfield, together with Burrow, received their CBEs at Headingley Stadium in 2024 from William, with Sinfield commenting on 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 task
Sinfield spoke candidly about what his next fundraising endeavour might entail, revealing that a trip to Australia for his next 7 for 7 challenge has been in the pipeline as a tribute to Burrow. He told 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."
