Dec 5, 2024, 11:22 PM
Dec 1, 2024, 9:49 AM

Kevin Sinfield runs 230 miles to honor Rob Burrow's legacy

Highlights
  • Kevin Sinfield is running 230 miles over seven days to raise awareness and funds for motor neurone disease charities.
  • The challenge began on December 1, 2024, starting with the Liverpool Santa Dash event.
  • His efforts aim to honor the memory of his late teammate Rob Burrow who died from MND.
Story

In early December 2024, Kevin Sinfield, a 44-year-old former rugby league star, began a significant fundraising effort across the United Kingdom. His challenge, known as 'Running Home for Christmas,' involves running over 230 miles in just seven days, with the goal of raising funds for motor neurone disease (MND) charities. Sinfield's motivation stems from the recent passing of his friend and teammate, Rob Burrow, who succumbed to MND in June 2024 at the age of 41. This challenge marks Sinfield's fifth consecutive year of fundraising for MND, underlining his ongoing commitment to support those affected by the disease. The challenge kicked off on December 1, starting with the festive Liverpool Santa Dash, where he was joined by over 8,000 participants, many dressed as Santa. Sinfield aims to cover approximately 31 miles (50km) each day, traversing various cities across the UK, including Wrexham, Gloucester, Belfast, Glasgow, Hull, and concluding in Saddleworth. Not only is he physically enduring this marathon of running, but he is also spreading awareness about MND and honoring Burrow's legacy, as well as raising funds for six selected MND charities. Since Burrow's diagnosis in 2019, Sinfield has been a prominent advocate for MND research and awareness, previously raising over £10 million through past fundraising challenges. The Prince of Wales has also expressed support for Sinfield's efforts, describing them as a fitting tribute to Burrow. Sinfield's determination to succeed in this run reflects his desire to both honor his friend's memory and to assist the MND community, providing much-needed resources to combat this debilitating disease. On this journey, he has received support not just from individuals in the MND community, but also notable figures, including Olympic cycling champion Dame Laura Kenny, who joined him in one of the stages, further extending the message of unity and community during this campaign against MND. Sinfield plans to share his experiences throughout the run while encouraging others to contribute to MND-related causes, aiming to foster a sense of hope and solidarity among families affected by the illness.

Opinions

You've reached the end