In a display of sheer determination that captured the nation's heart, former rugby league captain Kevin Sinfield has completed an extraordinary week-long feat of endurance, raising a monumental sum for motor neurone disease (MND) research. The 45-year-old finished his seventh ultramarathon in as many days at a rain-soaked Headingley Stadium in Leeds, having battled floods, fatigue, and the British winter to honour his late friend and teammate, Rob Burrow.
A Week of Endurance for a Vital Cause
Kevin Sinfield's '7 in 7: Together' challenge saw him run a staggering 185 miles across the UK and Ireland. He embarked on the gruelling series of runs last Monday, marking his sixth annual fundraising effort for the MND community. The challenge's name poignantly derives from Burrow's old rugby shirt number. Sinfield fittingly concluded his final leg at the home of the Leeds Rhinos, the club where their legendary partnership began, to the cheers of hundreds of supporters.
Each day, Sinfield was joined by members of the MND community who ran a mile alongside him, embodying the 'Together' spirit of the event. The route was a tour of the home nations, starting in East Anglia at Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club and moving to Ipswich's Portman Road. Day two took him to Cork, Ireland, in tribute to broadcaster Charlie Bird, who died from MND in 2024. Subsequent stages included Swansea, a poignant run in Yorkshire finishing at the Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), Cumbria, and Scotland, where he ran onto the pitch at Dundee FC's Dens Park.
Battling the Elements and Smashing Targets
The challenge was not without its physical trials. On the final day, Sinfield was pictured with bin bags secured over his trainers as he sloshed through the flooded village of Catall, having set off from York at 8.40am. His resilience paid off spectacularly in fundraising terms. The campaign obliterated its original target of £777,777, with donations exceeding £1.1 million during the week alone. To date, Sinfield's efforts have secured a staggering £11 million for MND causes.
'It's been an incredible week, it's been tough and I'm tired but I'm glowing inside because we've put so much in for a long time now,' Sinfield told the crowd at Headingley. He emphasised the widespread support, stating, 'The home nations care about the MND community.' However, he struck a sobering note, adding, 'We've won the battle this week, but there's a war to be won. We've got to keep fighting.'
A Legacy of Friendship and a Royal Endorsement
The challenge is a profound continuation of Sinfield's commitment to his friend Rob Burrow, who was diagnosed with MND in 2019 at age 36 and died in June 2024. The pair, who met as teenagers in the Leeds Rhinos Academy, became iconic figures in the fight against the disease. Sinfield famously carried Burrow over the finish line of the 2023 Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon.
The effort has drawn high-profile admiration, including from the Prince of Wales. Prince William, who made both Sinfield and Burrow CBEs last year, posted on social media: 'Kevin, huge congratulations on nearing the finish of your incredible 7 in 7 challenge! Your commitment to Rob and everyone affected by MND is truly inspiring.' William recently fulfilled a promise to open the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease in Leeds last month, meeting with Sinfield and Burrow's widow, Lindsey, and their three children.
Sally Hughes from the MND Association reflected on the week's emotional impact, stating, 'To see the million pound donations come in yesterday was such a momentous moment for us.' She highlighted the urgent need the funds address, revealing, 'Sadly since Monday, 42 people will have been diagnosed with MND and over 40 will have died this week, so we've got to stop this.'
As Sinfield, now a coach with the England rugby union team, recovers from his latest superhuman effort, his actions have once again galvanised public attention and crucial funding for a disease that remains incurable. His journey through wind and rain has solidified his status as one of Britain's most inspirational humanitarian fundraisers.
