Sinfield reveals latest MND fundraising challenge

Kevin Sinfield (left) and Rob Burrow became friends while playing at Leeds Rhinos together

Former rugby league star Kevin Sinfield will once again take on seven ultramarathons in seven days to raise money and awareness for motor neurone disease (MND) research and treatment.

The 45-year-old, who will tackle the challenge in honour of his friend and former teammate Rob Burrow, will begin in Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk on 1 December before running across the UK and Ireland and ending in Leeds.

He hopes to raise £777,777 to add to more than £10m raised since he began running marathons in 2020, following Burrow's diagnosis in 2019.

Speaking ahead of the challenge, Sinfield said "the hard work is done" and added: "I'm looking forward to getting the team back together."

The theme for this year's challenge is 7 in 7: Together.

"Bringing the MND community together has been fantastic for us. For those families to share in these moments, when you have spent so much time alone, is great, Sinfield said.

"That's why it's 7 in 7: Together."

He praised the "immense" support he had received since his fundraising journey began.

As part of this year's challenge, members of the MND community will be invited to join him for one mile each day.

"To see the support, the awareness, to see the fight and inspiration that we have taken - but also the MND community has taken from it - has been brilliant.

"Without the support, I don't think this is possible."

Sinfield has raised millions for MND treatment and research

Sinfield revealed this year's ultramarathon challenge - taking in more than 50km (31 miles) each day - would take place in several new locations to support more members of the MND community.

On day one he will run between begin Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich before taking on his second ultramarathon in Cork.

Day three will take pace in Swansea, with day four starting in Sheffield. Sinfield will run from Workington to Whitehaven on day five before heading to Dundee on day six.

He will run from North Yorkshire to Leeds on his final day.

Each day will be broken down into 7km (4.3 miles) blocks that Sinfield must complete inside the hour before setting off on the next block on the hour.

Last week the Prince of Wales officially opened a specialist centre for MND named after Burrow and paid for in part through Sinfield's fundraising.

"It's been great for the people of Yorkshire that we got this centre where we can look after families properly, but that's just in Yorkshire, Sinfield said.

"If you could pick that centre up and move it across places in the UK and Ireland, that would make such a difference."

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.