Seventh Heaven For Kevin
Kevin Sinfield's latest fundraising challenge to raise money for motor neurone disease charities came to an emotional conclusion at the weekend...
Kevin Sinfield OBE completed his third epic challenge to raise money in the fight against Motor Neurone Disease (MND) on Saturday. The rugby league superstar and friend of Rob Burrows has really taken up the MND fundraising mantle since Rob's diagnosis with the disease almost three years ago. His latest challenge was the Ultra 7 in 7, in which he did exactly what the title suggests - ran seven ultras in just seven days! Inspired by his former Leeds Rhinos team mate, Kevin had set his fundraising target at £777,777 in recognition of Rob’s playing number 7.
Having set off from Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh on 12 November Kevin was running around 40 miles a day, cheered on at the start and finish by people with MND, local people and supporters from the rugby community. It was an intense and emotional week of running which came to a superlative conclusion at Old Trafford in Manchester at half time in the men’s rugby league World Cup final where Kevin received a hero's welcome. And rightly so as he has smashed his target and raised a staggering £1,350,000 as a result of his mind-boggling endurance challenge.
Speaking after his arrival at Old Trafford, he said: "We’ve made it. 7 ultra marathons in 7 days. To be honest before setting out on this challenge I wasn’t 100% sure we would complete it but your unwavering support has got us through. It has been so tough and so brutal, but people with MND don’t get to choose do they?
"Inspired by Rob Burrow, Doddie Weir, Stephen Darby and other people living with MND, the money raised will support the fight against MND. I’m proud to be supporting five charities with this challenge, charities which support people affected by MND and invest in research taking us closer to effective treatments and a cure for the disease.
"We wanted it to be tough in their honour. Your support, your fundraising, the awareness we are all creating – we will find a cure for this disease. I don’t know when, but we will all keep fighting together until that day comes. Your donations will help us get there, so please donate if you can. I can’t thank you all enough."
This was the final leg of rugby league legend Kevin’s trilogy of epic challenges to raise awareness and funds for those impacted by motor neurone disease. His previous two challenges 7 in 7 and The Extra Mile have raised around £5 million to support research into treatments and a cure for the disease and the care provided to people with MND and their loved ones.
If you've been inspired by Kevin's remarkable feat of endurance then you can still donate by visiting his fundraising page here.
