Heroic ‘King’ Kevin Sinfield ‘gained the battle’ however calls on ‘folks’s military’ to ‘win MND warfare’
An emotional Kevin Sinfield called on his ‘people’s army’ to keep fighting to ‘win the war’ with motor neurone disease, in memory of his late friend and rugby ace Rob Burrow
Tearful Kevin Sinfield finished his seventh ultra-marathon in seven days to raise £1m for motor neurone disease sufferers – but told his ‘people’s army’ they must keep ‘fighting’ to find a cure.
The rugby ace said he may have ‘won the battle’ by raising at least one-and-a-half times the cash target he set himself ahead of his gruelling near 200-mile trek across Britain and Ireland.
But the relentless fundraiser told his supporters: “There is a war to be won.”
He said the group of around 8,000 Brits battling the degenerative nerve condition, which causes muscle weakness, stiffness and paralysis, was an ‘absolutely beautiful community’.
“They are the best of us. They are warriors and they fight so hard. They are so courageous,” he said.
Kevin, 45, told thousands packed into Headingley Stadium in Leeds to see him finish his marathon of nearly 28-mile runs, that his task was to make sure ‘every single one’ felt ‘important’ and was ‘loved and cared for’.
He said: “We’ve won the battle this week. But there is a war to be won. And I need all of you to be part of that.
“We’ve got to keep fighting for the MND community. Keep thinking of others.”
Kevin broke down as he thanked his family for their support during his challenge.
“They are so supportive,” he said, struggling to speak with emotion.
“We can’t do it without them. It’s been an incredible week. It’s been tough and I’m tired but I’m glowing inside because I’m so glad of the team because we’ve put so much in for a long time now.
“I think people really believe in what we’re trying to do and to get behind us. And it’s so powerful.”
Kevin launched his campaign after his Leeds Rhinos and Great Britain rugby league team mate Rob Burrow was struck down with the condition.
An iconic photo of him carrying his pal over the 2023 Leeds Marathon finishing line raised awareness of the debilitating disease for which there is currently no cure.
Rob died last year, aged 41, after a five-year battle with the condition.
Kevin admitted his pal helped inspire him during his bleakest moments – such as having to don bin liners over his trainers to run through a flood in Cattal, near York, during Sunday’s final rain-sodden marathon.
He was joined in the latter stages by triathlete Jonny Brownlee and boxer Josh Warrington – and for the last stretch by 3,000 fun-runners dressed as Santa Claus.
It was the sixth time he has completed the 7-in-7 marathon challenge to raise more than £11m for the cause. He has already pledged to do it again next year for a seventh time – matching the number Rob wore on his shirts – and to keep raising money for the rest of his life.
Kevin reached his cash target – £777,777 – with two marathons to spare and had last night raised £1.175m.
Sally Hughes from the Motor Neurone Disease Association said: “It’s been an amazing week. We’re so proud of Kev as our patron at the association and the work he has done.
“To see the million-pound donations come in was such a momentous moment for us.
“Sadly, since Monday, 42 people will have been diagnosed with MND and over 40 will have died this week. So we’ve got to stop this.”
Kath Muir, who lives with the condition, said: “This challenge will have an impact on awareness just like all of Kev’s challenges before this one.
“These challenges over the last five years have taken MND from a hardly-heard-of disease to a disease that is much better understood.
“Also because of the money raised it is helping more families affected than by MND.”
Rugby fans Shirley Nicholson, who cheered Kevin home at the finish line, said: “I don’t think words can say how much Kev has done.”
Her husband Tim added: “I don’t know how he does it. I struggle to walk never mind run.”
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.
Darts ace Luke Littler, 18, a big rugby league fan, has given the gong his backing after donating thousands of pounds of his winnings to the cause.
Rob’s widow Lindsey, 42, also believes Kevin’s efforts are worthy of one of Britain’s top honours.
