Related items

• Never say never – Kevin Sinfield needs rest before next MND fundraising mission

  Kevin Sinfield will take some time to consider his next campaign after completing the latest energy-sapping fundraising challenge to help people living with motor neurone disease as the push to raise awareness and research for a cure goes on.

  Inspired by former Leeds team-mate Rob Burrow, the 43-year-old pushed through a gruelling schedule of running seven ultramarathons in as many days in seven different cities around Britain and Ireland.

  Sinfield, the current England rugby union defence coach, had again battled the elements en route to crossing the finishing line to a rapturous welcome on The Mall in London on Thursday afternoon.

  The team had taken to the roads once again to raise awareness of MND and funds for five charities supporting people affected by the condition and their families, and also to fund research into effective treatments and ultimately a cure.

  Each leg of his latest challenge comprised 27 miles – the conventional marathon distance with an extra mile added to signify how much further people can go to help friends in need.

  On Thursday evening, the Motor Neurone Disease Association confirmed with online and other donations, Sinfield’s latest campaign had passed the £777,777 target.

  Proceeds from the ‘7in7in7’ initiative will go to mainly to the MND Association and Leeds Hospitals Charity appeal to build the Rob Burrow MND centre in the city.

  There will also be donations to the My Name’5 Doddie, the Irish MND Association, the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation and support for the 4ED campaign.

  Although taking a well-deserved to reflect with his team on their achievements, Sinfield knows there remains plenty of hard work ahead in the continuing quest for a cure.

  “I think we will see,” Sinfield said when asked what other challenges might be on the horizon.

  “What I am really conscious of is the team have put so much into the last four that we have done and I can’t do it on my own.

  “I know we are extremely passionate about what we have done. We have got some time together on the bus tonight, so we will let everybody settle and enjoy, to celebrate because it has been a really good week.

  “I will never say never – there is a big possibility we will go again.

  “I think some of that will show in what our grand total ends up being, because we are certainly all conscious of compassion fatigue.

  “But we are also really conscious that we are really passionate about the MND community and how we can help it, whether that is through running or not, we are not sure.

  “But we are really keen to see the donations and where those end up, because ultimately they are the things that really shift it.

  “We want to raise the awareness, we want to change how people feel about the MND community.

  “But if we are really going to help them, then we need to continue to raise money so that they can find a cure.”

  Sinfield added: “Wherever we have been now, we have had unbelievable support, especially from the MND community, so that needs to continue in some way, shape or form.”

  Former England bowler Stuart Broad and Rugby World Cup winner Will Greenwood were among the guests who joined Sinfield during the final leg in London, which had started at Twickenham.

  With his latest campaign put to bed, it will not be long before Sinfield’s attentions turn swiftly back to his day job.

  “I have got some work to do tomorrow and I will be at a game on Sunday (Sale v Stade Francais), but I will try to catch up on some sleep and I want to see some family,” Sinfield said.

  “I was away for five months and then had a busy month getting ready for this, then away again for a week so I am really looking forward to Christmas.”

  :: To donate to Kevin Sinfield’s 7 in 7 in 7 quest, visit https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/kevin-sinfield

• Kevin Sinfield to run seven ultramarathons in support of Rob Burrow

  Kevin Sinfield will again push his body to the limit in support of friend Rob Burrow as he plans to run seven ultra-marathons in seven different cities across seven successive days.

  Sinfield is taking on the challenge to raise money for motor neurone disease charities after seeing his great friend Burrow affected by the illness.

  The former Leeds Rhino player, who has undertaken several other physical challenges over the last few years and raised £13million, will run 27.2 miles on seven successive days around the United Kingdom and Ireland.

  He will start in his home city of Leeds on December 1, before heading to Cardiff, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Dublin and Brighton before finishing in London.

  Sinfield said on BBC Breakfast: “We go again, we start three weeks on Friday, running has been a great vehicle for us.

  “It has been a great way of celebrating the MND community and celebrating Rob and showing people we care. The support we have had has been amazing.

  The plan is to run seven marathons, plus an extra mile each day, in seven different cities in the UK and Ireland across seven days.

  “We are aware we have not been to the south and felt it is important to go to the south because there is a large number of people with MND down there, we wanted to go to Wales and Ireland.

  “We want to share and support and raise some funds.

  “We are really looking forward to it; there are 100 reasons we shouldn’t go again, but there are 5,000 why we should and the big reason is Rob.

  “If we want to make a dent on MND and to shift the dial line we need money and the awareness has been brilliant over the last four years.

  “It’s the funds (that) are going to make a difference, whether that is to find a cure, or to support families or provide equipment like Rob has where people can still communicate and be in the room.”

  Burrow, who is able to speak using special equipment, told his friend: “Another crazy challenge, we thought you would stop after the last one, but here you go again. I would do the same for you.

  “I hope to see you off at the start and be there at the finish, you never stop banging the drum for the MND community, remember Kev you aren’t getting any younger!”

• Emotional Hanagan wins for Rob Burrow Racing Club

  The Rob Burrow Racing Club celebrated its first winner on Thursday when the Craig Lidster-trained Macarone came home clear at Beverley.

  The club was set up to raise money for several charities, but principally the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA), the illness which former Rugby League star Burrow was diagnosed with in 2019.

  Macarone, a two-year-old by Havana Grey, was having his first run for the club after finishing second at Bath last time out and the well-backed 7-2 winner was roared home.

  Former champion jockey Paul Hanagan, a keen Rugby League fan, punched the air on crossing the line and admitted the result meant a lot to him.

  Hanagan said: “I’ve been blessed to ride a lot of winners in my career and I can safely say today is bang up there with the best of them. It was definitely emotional with Rob and his family being here too. It really doesn’t get much better.

  “The reception we got coming back in was something I’ll never forget, and I can’t tell you how chuffed I am. You always know it’s something special when the other jockeys start applauding you when you come back in the weighing room.

  “It was a very special day and hopefully this will be onwards and upwards for the Rob Burrow Racing Club.”

  Burrow said: “Well done Macarone! You’ve given the Rob Burrow Racing Club our first win, and I couldn’t be prouder!

  “Racing can be tough at times, and just like rugby, it has its ups and downs. Macarone has given us a perfect result today though. It’s been worth the wait.”

  Burrow’s wife, Lindsey, added: “I was screaming so loudly I might have lost my voice!”

  Barrie McDermott, a former colleague of Burrow’s at the Leeds Rhinos, and an ambassador of the club, told Racing TV: “We’ve had a few scripts that haven’t gone to plan, but today did.

  “Paul is such an experienced rider, he talked us through his plan and he executed it to perfection.

  “We’re delighted, delighted for Rob and Lindsey (Burrow) and all the members.

  “The club is evolving all the time, we’re trying to turn it into a 12-month membership while raising money for charity. MND is an awful disease and Rob’s desire is to make people understand how it affects everybody and what they can do to help.

  “He’s such an inspirational man. He’s not been burdened by the inevitability of what is in front of him, he’s been campaigning so those that follow him can have a bit of an easier path and for that we all love him.”