Sir Kevin Sinfield has completed 83 marathons and raised more than £11 million for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) charities, with an additional £1.1 million raised so far in his 'Grand Finale' – the seventh challenge in seven years honouring his former Leeds Rhinos teammate Rob Burrow, who died in 2024 after living with MND for four years.
A Ray of Sunshine in Bradford
On a beautiful autumn day, Sir Kevin ran the latest leg of his epic 7 in 7 challenge, from Bradford to Huddersfield. Thousands lined the route, many wearing orange MND shirts and vests. At Horsfall Community Stadium, the man 'running for his mate' was greeted with cheers and a community choir.
Before setting off, a rendition of Happy Birthday was sung for a brave MND patient who came to show her support. As he jogged around the track, Sir Kevin stopped to speak with supporters, posed for selfies, and offered words of comfort. He joked he had already consumed about 30 Jaffa Cakes and told the Mirror: "We should have a word with McVitie's about sponsorship."
Voices of the MND Community
Peter Kenyon, commercial director of Bradford Park Avenue, lined up staff and volunteers to applaud Sir Kevin's arrival. Kenyon, who lost his wife Janet to MND three years ago, said: "She was given three weeks to live and lasted 18 months. Sir Kevin has become the voice of the MND community. The support for him is unbelievable, and rightly so."
Simon Kaye, 68, from nearby Haworth, described Sir Kevin as a miracle worker. Kaye, who has ALS – the same slow form of the disease that afflicted Stephen Hawking – added: "I don't think anyone could have attracted the kind of attention that he has achieved for MND. He has carried on the work of his best friend Rob Burrow and together their fundraising has built the new centre in Leeds which is fantastic. He is a ray of sunshine."
A Campaigner's Hope
The Mirror also met Louise Stewart, 48, wife of former Ipswich Town, Huddersfield Town and Sunderland striker Marcus Stewart, who has MND. Louise, now a relentless campaigner for MND research, said: "There is an MND army and Kevin is spearheading that fight. I am emotional every time I see him on TV, he was with a 10-year-old girl who has been diagnosed. When you have an illness where there is no treatment or cure, he gives hope."
On every orange MND T-shirt is the message: "Making every day matter." It serves as a fitting tribute to the man who has led the crusade for MND sufferers and raised awareness of the condition that claimed his best friend's life.
