Rugby league hero Kevin Sinfield has reportedly been passed over for a knighthood in the upcoming New Year Honours list, despite his monumental fundraising efforts for motor neurone disease charities and receiving personal messages of support from the Prince of Wales.
Fundraising Feats and Royal Recognition
Kevin Sinfield has raised a staggering £11 million for motor neurone disease (MND) charities, inspired by his former Leeds Rhinos teammate, the late Rob Burrow. His most recent challenge involved completing seven ultra-marathons in seven consecutive days in December, running over 28 miles each day to raise an additional £1.2 million.
His efforts have garnered significant public and royal support. Prince William publicly praised Sinfield on social media as he neared the end of his '7 in 7' challenge, and also sent him a personal text message of encouragement. The Prince of Wales had previously met with Sinfield and Burrow's widow, Lindsey, during a visit to the Rob Burrow Centre for MND in Leeds in November.
The Protocol Blocking a Knighthood
Despite a public petition with nearly 100,000 signatures calling for him to be knighted, official protocol is said to be the barrier. Sinfield was awarded an MBE in 2014, an OBE in 2021, and a CBE in 2023. Honours system rules typically state that an honour cannot be upgraded within three years, meaning Sinfield must wait until at least 2026 before being considered for a knighthood.
This bureaucratic delay has caused frustration. Geoff Burrow, Rob's father, labelled the situation "disgraceful," urging officials to "nevermind the 'rules', get Kevin knighted." Reports also suggest some within the Cabinet Office were disappointed by the red tape preventing immediate recognition.
Legacy of Friendship and Future Hopes
Sinfield's fundraising journey began after Rob Burrow was diagnosed with MND in 2019. His relentless physical challenges have funded research and support through charities including the Motor Neurone Disease Association, the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, and Leeds Hospitals Charity.
While the knighthood appears delayed, not denied, the widespread support highlights the profound impact of his work. Sinfield himself has remained characteristically humble, stating after his latest marathon effort that he was simply "back in work this afternoon." The campaign for his knighthood is expected to gain further momentum in the coming year.
