Kevin Sinfield breaks down in tears on reside TV over boy’s loss of life from motor neurone illness
Rugby legend Sinfield was overwhelmed by tragic Kyle Sieniawski’s battle with the disease saying ‘It can’t happen that’ as e
Marathon man Kevin Sinfield broke down in tears on live TV after meeting the family of a boy killed by motor neurone disease aged just 14.
The rugby legend was overcome with emotion as he described Kyle Sieniawski’s battle with the degenerative nerve condition which causes muscle weakness, stiffness and paralysis.
The sports-mad teen became the youngest person in Britain diagnosed with it in 2023 after noticing his left arm would not move properly while doing Taekwondo. He died last week. Kevin met his family in Cardiff during his quest to run seven ultra-marathons in seven days to raise funds for a cure.
His former Great Britain and Leeds Rhinos rugby league team-mate Rob Burrow died last year aged 41 after a five-year battle with the disease.
As Kevin was about to start his fourth gruelling run in Sheffield he broke down on BBC Breakfast as he told of his emotional meeting with Kyle’s parents Melanie and Mark and 18-year-old brother Liam.
Kevin, 45, told presenter John Maguire: “Yeah, don’t need any extra motivation and then you are…”
The England rugby union coach was suddenly so overwhelmed with emotion he could not speak.
John put his arm round the star asking: “You alright?”
Fighting to regain his composure Kevin replied: “Yes, it’s all good. You see that yesterday and yeah, please donate because that family shouldn’t have to go through that. I think it rocks the whole community when you see that,.
“It was so raw yesterday. We get to go and run after and get rid of some of that emotion. But it sticks with you. It can’t happen that.”
His voice quietening to almost a whisper he added: “ It has to stop.”
The TV appearance had viewers in tears. One tweeted: “One of the most moving interviews I’ve ever seen. If anyone ever doubted what this means to Kevin Sinfield….what a guy. What an absolute legend of a fella.”
Declan McGrath posted: “We lost my father in law to MND 4 weeks ago. The disease is so horrific. It takes everything from you except your mind which it leaves completely aware of what is happening to you. Please donate, families need some help…some glimmer of hope. Please.”
Another viewer said: “Keep going Kevin and team, we are all behind you.”
Olympic, European and three-time world heptathlon champion Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, 39, now a BBC athletics commentator and pundit, joined Kevin as he ran across Sheffield.
The Motor Neurone Disease Association tweeted: “Thank you to Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill ( @J_Ennis ) for running leg 2 today with Kev and the team! Legends coming together for the MND community.”
Kevin will take on his fifth run from Workington to Whitehaven in Cumbria next. He has already raised almost £700,000 of the £777,777 target he set for himself across all seven days.
Should he succeed it will be the sixth time he has completed seven ultra marathons in a week to raise funds for an MND cure.
He has pledged to do it again next year for a seventh time – matching the number Rob wore on his shirts – and to carry on raising cash for the cause for the rest of his life.
The Daily Star has launched a campaign for his selfless fundraising to be recognised with a knighthood.
Nearly 50,000 Brits have signed an online petition backing the move.His pal Rob’s widow Lindsey, 42, also believes Kevin’s efforts are worthy of one of Britain’s top honours.
Find more information on Kevin’s 7 in 7 Challenge here: https://www.therhinos.co.uk/uploads/docs/Sponsors%20deck.pdf
Find information on how to contribute here: https://fundraising.mndassociation.org/event/7-in-7-challenge/home
