Ex rugby player with MND joins Kevin Sinfield run

A former rugby player from Bromsgrove who is living with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) has praised Kevin Sinfield for his work raising awareness and funds for charities associated with the disease.

Ex Rugby League legend and England Union coach Sinfield ran 37 miles (60km) on Monday between Gloucester and Bristol.

Joining him on the second leg of his 230-mile (370km) Running Home for Christmas challenge was Scott Morris.

Mr Morris, who played for amateur side Bromsgrove Rugby Club, was diagnosed with MND, at the age of 43 in 2023, after noticing twitches in his arm, which progressed over time.

Scott Morris was joined at the finish line by family and friends

"I was trying to push myself up into the loft at home, and my right arm just kept giving way, it was only then the alarm bells started to ring," he said.

The father-of-three has since lost mobility in his limbs and now uses a text-to-speech software to communicate - a life-changing moment which he admits he is still coming to terms with.

"It took a while to process the diagnosis, and I was understandably devastated and it is a very harsh reality you have to get used to very quickly," he said.

"My family and friends were also devastated by the news, but they all rallied around me, and we put all our energy into fundraising and living in the moment."

Kevin Sinfield and fellow runners are wearing the number 7, which was worn by Rob Burrow when he played at Leeds Rhinos

The incurable condition affects the brain and nerves and is more common among people in their 60s and 70s.

Over the week, Sinfield is running in memory of his former team-mate Rob Burrow, raising funds for six MND charities.

Mr Morris said: "It is a horrific condition, it is so underfunded and I fear that without the amazing work Kevin and others are putting in, the people suffering would be in a much worse way than they already are."

Natalie Morris said she felt proud of her husband for not allowing his condition to limit his ambition to also raise money for charity.

"It's a really proud moment, and just another example of how Scott just doesn't let things stop him, and that he's been determined to do it," she said.