York teen inspired by Kevin Sinfield completes 275-mile challenge

Lauren Wood has raised almost £16,000 for charity

A York teenager has completed a 275-mile running and cycling challenge from Leeds to Edinburgh after being inspired by rugby league legend Kevin Sinfield.

Lauren Wood, 18, finished the seven-day challenge at Murrayfield on Saturday, having started at Headingley Stadium.

Ms Wood's efforts have raised almost £16,000 for the MND Association and the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation.

"There's a bit of disbelief and a lot of happiness I have completed it," the A-level student said of the feat.

Ms Wood covered 107 miles over four days of running and a further 168 miles over three days cycling, finishing at about 14:00 GMT on Saturday.

"There's been ups and downs and it's certainly an experience I'll have for life," she added.

The St Peter's School pupil, who is studying biology, history and PE, had never previously tackled an endurance event.

"Kevin Sinfield finished two of his ultra-endurance events in York - through that I became really inspired by him," she said.

Inspired by Sinfield

Sinfield and his former Leeds Rhinos teammate Rob Burrow have raised more than £15m for charities since Burrow was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2019.

MND is a debilitating condition that affects the brain and nerves, and there is currently no cure.

"Rob and Doddie have fought it but without people like Kev the money wouldn't be raised," said Ms Wood.

"He definitely inspired me.

"Kevin Sinfield starting doing all his challenges and still there wasn't enough money to find a cure or fight the disease. I thought I wanted to do something to try and help make a little bit of a difference."

Ms Wood received a message of support from Sinfield as well as England football boss Gareth Southgate and England cricket star Jonny Bairstow.

She said she would wait until she had sat her A-levels before deciding on her next challenge.