Rugby legend Kevin Sinfield’s ‘Ultra 7 in 7’ challenge for MND charities

Former rugby league star Kevin Sinfield is gearing-up to run more than 300 miles (482km) in one week to raise money for motor neuron disease (MND) research.

Kevin, who previously raised money for MND charities by running 101 miles in 24 hours in 2021, was a teammate of Rob Burrow, who was diagnosed with MND in 2019. In the time since, he has helped raise the profile of MND by taking on a series of fitness-focussed fundraising challenges, which have generated UK-wide publicity for MND charities.

For his final challenge, Kevin will run from Edinburgh to Manchester via Melrose, Newcastle, Middlesbrough, York, Leeds and Bradford in 7 days running over 60km per day.

The initial aim is to raise a massive £777,777 from the challenge.

He will start on Sunday 13 November at Edinburgh’s Murrayfield stadium, finishing at Old Trafford in Manchester. He will complete the epic challenge at half time in the Rugby League World Cup men’s final on Saturday 19 November.

The Ultra 7 in 7 challenge will support five charities which support people affected by MND, to invest in research brining us closer to effective treatments and a cure for the disease.

The lion’s share of the money raised from the challenge will go to the MND Association of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Leeds Hospitals Charity will also be supported to help build a flagship care centre to bring people with MND, their families and carers together.

MND Scotland, the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation and the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation will also receive support from Kevin’s fundraising.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Kevin said: “We’ll try and hit locations, places that mean a lot to Doddie, Rob and Stephen.”

“I’m absolutely honoured that we get to represent Doddie, Stephen and Rob… I want the MND community, I want Rob, I want Doddie, I want Stephen and I want Ed to know that there are people out there who are willing to go to some dark places for them – I’m certainly willing to do that.

“A part of me does enjoy going there, does enjoy that challenge. When you finish your playing career you are still looking for fulfilment and these challenges have certainly helped me along with that.

“I know it’s going to be pretty brutal, training has been tough, but it will be worth it in the end.”

Chris O’Sullivan, Director of Stakeholder Engagement and Fundraising at MND Scotland, said: “Kevin’s determination to raise the profile of motor neuron disease, and raise funds to support research has been inspiring.

“Kevin’s Ultra 7 in 7 challenge will go to support MND charities across the UK. Every penny raised for MND Scotland will help make time count for people living with MND, as well as funding vital research and clinical trials to bring us a step closer to finding new treatments for this terminal illness.

“We’re wishing Kevin well and everyone at MND Scotland will be cheering him on throughout this epic final challenge.”

You can support Kevin’s challenge by donating directly on his online fundraising page.