Sinfield thanks East Yorkshire for backing run

Sinfield told supporters at Craven Park - the home of Hull KR - it was wonderful to see everyone coming together in support of the MND community

Kevin Sinfield thanked East Yorkshire after completing the latest leg of his Running Home for Christmas challenge.

The former England rugby league star, 44, covered about 31 miles (50km) between Beverley and Hull earlier.

He was joined by Olympic cycling gold medallist Dame Laura Kenny.

After crossing the finishing line at Craven Park, the home of rugby league side Hull Kingston Rovers, Sinfield said it was "wonderful" to see people coming together in support of the Motor Neurone Disease community.

He told supporters: "To see everyone come together to support what we are trying to do and to support the MND community has been wonderful.

"We wanted to come here because it's a mad rugby league city [and] we hoped you'd get behind Rob Burrow, and you certainly have done."

He added: "We can't thank you enough."

Earlier, Dame Laura described MND as "one of the cruellest diseases".

"What Kev and Rob and Doddie and everyone shouting about motor neurone disease is doing are total inspirations to me," she said.

"I just want everyone to know what it is and keep raising money because without these events ultimately we won't find a cure."

Sinfield began his run in the East Yorkshire town of Beverley

Speaking at Beverley Racecourse, Sinfield told supporters: "I always enjoyed playing in Hull, so I get to play here again today."

The former Leeds Rhinos star is attempting to run a total of 230 miles in seven days to raise money in memory of his friend and teammate Rob Burrow, who died of MND in June at the age of 41.

Sinfield started the run with a countdown played on a drum by Rosie, whose grandmother Ruth has MND.

Ruth said: “It isn’t easy, but thanks to people like Kevin we hope we get a cure.”

A large crowd turned out to see the former rugby league star at Beverley Racecourse

The challenge was also in memory of former Hull FC player Adam Maher, who died from MND in 2020 at the age of 47.

Mr Sinfield set off wearing the black and white colours of Hull FC, but switched to the red and white of cross-city rivals Hull KR for the second half of the route.

"The people of Hull have been fantastic in their support of Rob and certainly both clubs have done their little bit," Sinfield said.

"There’s some rivalries of some of the places we’ve been, but we all need to come together and fight in the battle against MND."

Kevin Sinfield (left) with Rob Burrow in May 2023. They raised millions of pounds for charities after Mr Burrow was diagnosed with MND in 2019

It is Sinfield's fourth consecutive annual event for MND charities, having already raised almost £10m in previous fundraisers.

He began the challenge on Sunday in Liverpool, where he took part in an annual Santa Dash.

On Friday, he will run between Northampton and Leicester, before the finale on Saturday between Old Trafford and Saddleworth.

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