Kevin Sinfield smashes ultra marathon target for MND

Kevin Sinfield has raised more than £825,000 for motor neurone disease charities

Leeds Rhinos legend Kevin Sinfield has raised more than £825,000 for people affected by motor neurone disease with his 7 in 7 in 7 Challenge.

The former player completed seven ultra-marathons over seven days in seven cities, including Dublin, Edinburgh and Birmingham.

He finished the challenge in London on Thursday and has already exceeded his aim of raising £777,777.

Sinfield said: "Money is the thing that shifts the dial and changes things."

The ex-rugby star has already raised millions for charity since his former teammate Rob Burrow, 41, was diagnosed with MND in 2019.

After crossing the finishing line near Buckingham Palace, Sinfield said: "We're pretty spent - it's been a big old week, it's great to have finished.

"My feet look like they've been under a lawnmower... I feel like the battery's depleted."

Sinfield, 43, broke down in tears as he finished in London

The £825,000 total was achieved by Friday afternoon and was still rising.

The challenge began on 1 December at Headingley Rugby Stadium in Leeds, with Sinfield and his team running to York Minster.

They then moved on to Cardiff, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Dublin, Brighton and London.

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

Speaking to crowds on The Mall after completing the challenge, he said: "The MND community is a beautiful community and it needs all of us to keep fighting.

"If I'm being blunt... it's about raising money. Money is the thing that shifts the dial and changes things.

"I can't stress enough, the donations are the things that are going to matter."

The former Leeds Rhinos star pictured outside York Minster during his challenge

He said it had been four years since Burrow was diagnosed with MND and that he was an "inspiration to us all".

Sinfield, who ran more than 190 miles in total, also said all the people who lined the streets despite the pouring rain and gale-force winds were "so humbling".

He went on to comment on how the human body can repair itself after punishing tasks such as multiple marathons, but "not for those with MND".

"It's really important to find a cure," Sinfield added.

When asked how he was going to celebrate now he had completed the challenge, he said: "It'll be like celebrating after a cup final and looking forward to getting in my own bed."