Day six of Kevin Sinfield's MND ultra-marathon

Rugby league star Kevin Sinfield has completed the penultimate day of his challenge to raise money to support those affected by motor neurone disease (MND).

The challenge will see the former England player run an ultra-marathon every day for seven days in seven cities.

At the Brighton leg of the challenge, he said: “We’re representing a beautiful community and raising awareness and funds to try and find a cure.”

Steve Jackson, from Brighton, said his wife Jackie’s diagnosis “ruined all our dreams”.

The challenge will see Kevin Sinfield run an ultra-marathon every day for seven days in seven cities

MND is a fatal, rapidly progressing disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, and has no cure.

Sinfield ran 27 miles (43km) through Brighton and Hove during Wednesday’s leg of the 7 in 7 in 7 Challenge.

Since his ex-Leeds Rhinos teammate Rob Burrow was diagnosed with the condition in 2019, Sinfield has raised millions for MND charities.

The Brighton stretch was in tribute to Brighton College chemistry teacher Pete Bellenger, who passed away from MND in 2022

“Wherever we’ve been it has chucked it down and been freezing and windy. We come to Brighton and we get the sunshine and blue skies,” Sinfield said.

“It’s not about running marathons. It’s about finding that little bit to help somebody. And if we can do that in the run up to Christmas, then we’ve done our job.”

• Kevin Sinfield brings The 7 in 7 in 7 Challenge to Brighton

Each run consists of a full marathon with one added mile to signify the extra mile people could all go to help their friends in tough times, Sinfield added.

The Brighton stretch of the challenge was in tribute to Brighton College chemistry teacher Pete Bellenger, who passed away from MND in 2022.

Head of senior school at the college, Steve Marshall, said: “Pete was an amazing man, and an amazing teacher.

“We made some changes so he could carry on teaching as long as possible after his diagnosis. And even when he couldn’t get into the classroom, he saw people one to one.”

Steve Jackson, from Brighton, said his wife Jackie’s diagnosis “ruined all our dreams”

Mr Jackson, a season ticket holder at Brighton & Hove Albion, said his wife Jackie used to attend matches before her diagnosis shortly after their wedding in 2021.

“This disease is completely and utterly devastating,” he said. “It destroys lives. It has ruined all our dreams, and we haven’t got a voice.

“What Kevin is doing for people with MND is just fantastic, so we wanted to come along and support him. There needs to be more awareness. All we want to try and find a cure.”

Brian Dickie MBE, MND Association director of research, said: “The efforts of Kevin and all who support the MND Association are building hope in the most practical way for thousands of people affected by this devastating condition.”