Kevin Sinfield Initiates 230-Mile Run to Support MND Cause

Rugby figure Kevin Sinfield has commenced his fifth major fundraising event, undertaken in remembrance of his former teammate Rob Burrow, who succumbed to motor neurone disease (MND) this year. The 44-year-old is set to cover a distance exceeding 230 miles (370km) over seven days across the United Kingdom, having already generated approximately £10 million through four previous annual challenges. For this year’s initiative, he began at Liverpool’s yearly Santa Dash, where more than 8,000 participants joined him in running along the city’s renowned waterfront. Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Sinfield stated: “I think it’s important we’re doing justice – I want to represent the Burrow family the best we can but also the MND family.“They keep surprising us with some of the things they tell us and, through that, we get energy and want to push on even more.” This incurable condition impacts the brain and nerves and is observed more frequently among individuals in their 60s and 70s. The Prince of Wales, who presented Burrow and Sinfield with their CBEs at their former Leeds Rhinos ground in January, shared a social media video. In it, he characterized the new challenge as a “fitting tribute,” remarking: “What you and Rob have achieved has been incredible and it’s a very fitting tribute to his legacy, what you’re achieving again this week. “I’m sure you’ll be running with him in your mind the whole way round.” Members of the MND community are scheduled to join Sinfield, each completing a mile as part of the Running Home for Christmas challenge, which will traverse Wrexham, Gloucester, Belfast, and Glasgow. Sinfield, whose route also includes Hull, Northampton, and Leicester, commented: “The response has been great over the last few years and the cities are actually inviting us there now.” On the final day, the Oldham-born athlete will run from Manchester United’s stadium to his Saddleworth residence in the Pennine Hills. Following 12 weeks of training, Sinfield noted that it did not “get any easier as you can imagine, as you get a bit older.” He will be collecting donations for six MND charities, including the Darby Rimmer Foundation, established by former Liverpool defender Stephen Darby, who received his diagnosis of the disease in 2018. Burrow, who was married with three children, retired from professional play in 2017 after achieving eight Super League Grand Finals victories and earning 15 caps for England and five for Great Britain. He was diagnosed with MND in 2019, at which time he told his wife Lindsey: “Thank God it’s me and not the kids.” Burrow passed away in June at the age of 41. In October, Sinfield agreed to maintain his role as assistant coach for the England rugby union squad. The itinerary for the run includes: Liverpool to Wrexham – 1 December Gloucester to Bristol – 2 December Belfast – 3 December Glasgow – 4 December Beverley to Hull – 5 December Northampton to Leicester – 6 December Old Trafford to Saddleworth – 7 December