Rugby league legend Kevin Sinfield has inspired a York club to take part in a walking challenge raising money for motor neurone disease (MND).
Sinfield, 45, is preparing to run from Queen Ethelburga’s College, in Thorpe Underwood, to Headingley Stadium in Leeds on Sunday (December 7).
He will take on his seventh marathon in seven days to raise money for MND in memory of his friend and former Leeds Rhinos teammate, Rob Burrow. Burrow was diagnosed with MND in late 2019 and died in 2024 aged 41.
Kevin Sinfield with his former teammate Rob Burrow who died last year aged 41 (Image: Danny Lawson/PA Wire)
On Saturday, around 25 people inspired by Sinfield set off from the Burton Lane Club in Bootham Crescent on a five-kilometre walk raising funds for the MND Association.
“It’s incredible, isn’t it?” said club licensee Dave Beavers, reflecting on Sinfield’s latest challenge.
Dave watched as Sinfield, cheered on by hundreds of people, arrived at York Minster after running from Headingley Stadium in December 2023 during a previous challenge.
Kevin Sinfield outside York Minster after completing his 2023 MND challenge, as the rugby league legend prepares for his upcoming ultra marathons (Image: PA/Danny Lawson)
He said the club picked the MND Association as their annual charity after being impressed by Sinfield’s efforts.
“I used to run marathons and for him to do seven [marathons] in seven [days], it’s something special,” he said.
Unlike Sinfield’s challenge, however, the route from the Burton Lane Club included stops at pubs around the area to keep everyone in good spirits.
“We’ve brought the community together,” said club committee member Caroline Harris. “The reaction has been really good and the fundraising is going well.”
After the walk, the Burton Lane Club will host a charity raffle and party on Saturday evening, which is open to all, with proceeds going to the MND Association.
Caroline expects the club to raise more than £1,000 for the charity.
“MND is close to a lot of people’s hearts,” she said.
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Dave added that members of the community have helped to raise funds throughout the year.
Most recently, he said the York Knights supporters’ club raised more than £300 for MND through an event at the club.
Sinfield, currently a coach with the England rugby union team, embarked on the 7 in 7: Together challenge on Monday, his sixth annual event to support the MND community.
He has already raised more than £10 million towards research into the disease and support for families affected by it – and also passed his target of raising £777,777 for MND charities with this week’s multiple marathons.
The seven in seven challenges derive their name from Burrow’s old shirt number.
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