Former rugby league star Kevin Sinfield is embarking on an extraordinary 217-mile running challenge across England and Ireland, beginning Monday, to raise vital funds for Motor Neurone Disease research. This poignant effort comes as the MND community mourns the tragic loss of Britain's youngest known patient, 14-year-old Kyle Sieniawski, who passed away less than a year after his diagnosis.
A Week-Long Tribute for a Cruel Disease
Kevin Sinfield's '7 in 7 Challenge' will see him run 31 miles every day for a week, aiming to raise £777,777. The fundraising target honours the number seven shirt worn by his late friend and former Leeds Rhinos teammate, Rob Burrow, who died from MND in June 2024 at the age of 41. Sinfield's efforts are a direct continuation of his support for Burrow's legacy and the fight against the degenerative condition.
The challenge's timing is marked by profound sadness following the death of Kyle Sieniawski from Pontypridd, South Wales. His family described him as a "beautiful boy" and "little superhero" in a heartfelt statement, confirming he lost his battle with MND just one evening prior to the challenge's announcement. MND typically affects adults over 50, making Kyle's case exceptionally rare and devastating.
The Route of Remembrance and Solidarity
Each day of Sinfield's gruelling run will pay tribute to individuals who have championed the MND cause. The first leg on Monday starts in Suffolk and is dedicated to former Ipswich Town striker Marcus Stewart, who was diagnosed with MND in 2022.
The full schedule is as follows:
- Day 1: Bury St Edmunds to Ipswich Town's Portman Road
- Subsequent days: Cork, Swansea, Sheffield, Cumbria, and Dundee
- Finale: Arrival in Leeds on December 7
As with his previous challenges, Sinfield will host an "Extra Mile" event each day, where he is joined by members of the MND community for the final part of the journey. "The support has been immense," Sinfield remarked, highlighting how these moments allow families affected by MND to connect and share experiences.
A Legacy of Fundraising and Hope
Now 45 and a coach for the England rugby union team, Sinfield has already completed five previous seven-in-seven marathon challenges. These efforts have collectively raised more than £10 million for MND charities.
The funds from this latest challenge will be split between several organisations, including:
- The MND Association
- The Leeds Hospital Charity
- Irish MND Association
- The My Name'5 Doddie Foundation
- MND Scotland
- The Darby Rimmer Foundation
Mike Rogers, a director at the MND Association, emphasised the urgency of the cause, noting that 42 people will hear the devastating diagnosis of MND during the week of Sinfield's challenge alone. He confirmed that money raised from these extraordinary feats is directly accelerating research and getting scientists closer to effective treatments for a disease that currently has no cure.
