Lindsey Burrow, the widow of rugby league legend Rob Burrow, has paid an emotional tribute to Sir Kevin Sinfield after he completed his 7 in 7 ultramarathon challenge, raising more than £13m for motor neurone disease (MND) causes.
Sinfield, 46, finished the final leg of his 'Grand Finale' challenge at Old Trafford on Saturday, where Rob Burrow's son Jack won the Super League Grand Final with Wakefield Trinity in front of 71,000 fans.
'Rob would have been so proud'
Lindsey, 43, said her late husband 'would have been so proud' of his old friend. She added: "It's bittersweet that Rob's not here to see Kevin finish his final challenge but Rob will be with us in spirit."
"It's testimony to Kevin that he's so humbled to do this not just for Rob but for the whole MND community. It's just incredible."
"I am in complete awe of the efforts of Kevin and his team over the last seven days, and not just over the last seven days but over the last seven years."
Challenge details and support
Sinfield completed seven ultramarathons in seven days, with each day split into 7km, hour-long blocks and an additional extra mile for members of the MND community to join.
He was supported by royals, including The Prince and Princess of Wales and the Princess Royal, as well as sporting figures such as ex-England football manager Sir Gareth Southgate and Steve Cram.
Funds raised will go towards the MND Association, Leeds Hospitals Charity, My Name5 Doddie Foundation, Darby Rimmer Foundation, MND Scotland and the Irish MND Association.
'In this for life'
Sinfield told the Mirror that the 7 in 7 finale will not be the end of his quest to find a cure for MND in memory of Rob Burrow.
"The assumption has been made that's it," he said. "I have never said that, I have been consistent in the message that I am in this for life."
"What it looks like going forward, I don't know yet. But while I am still able to run and contribute and support, I will keep trying to do my little bit."
