Kevin Sinfield to do 7 marathons in 7 cities in 7 days for MND fundraising challenge in honour of pal Rob Burrow
KEVIN SINFIELD is literally going the extra mile for his big mate Rob Burrow and 5,000 others with motor neurone disease.
The rugby league legend will run seven marathons, plus an extra mile to signify how far people go to help those with MND, in seven cities in seven days for the 7 in 7 in 7.
He will start on December 1 in Leeds, where he and Burrow – who has MND - are legends because of stellar playing careers with the Rhinos and Sinfield will add to the £8million he has already raised.
Sinfield says the reasons for doing the challenge are simple: “This has all been about friendship and trying to help a mate.
“There are 100 reasons why we shouldn’t go again but there are 5,000 reasons why we should – the biggest is Rob.
“And to make a dent into MND, to shift the dial on it, we need money.
“The awareness over the last four years has been brilliant, starting with the great Doddie Weir, but it’s the funds that will make such a difference, whether that’s to find a cure or help support families like Rob’s.
“Running’s been a great way of celebrating the MND community, celebrating Rob and showing people that we care.
“I did say last year that the Ultra 7 in 7 would complete the trilogy but there was always that caveat that Rocky 4 was my favourite Rocky film.
“We were aware we’d not been to the south and felt it was important to go as there’s a large number of people diagnosed with MND there.
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“We wanted to go to Wales and we also wanted to go to Ireland, where 550 people are currently diagnosed with MND.”
The England rugby union defence coach's legs in Edinburgh and Dublin will honour Scotland RU great Weir and Paul Darbyshire, the Munster RU coach who played rugby league with Warrington and passed away from MND in 2011 when he was just 41.
The main beneficiaries of the 7 in 7 in 7 will be the MND Association and Leeds Hospitals Charity’s appeal to build the Rob Burrow Centre for MND in Leeds.
However, there will also be donations to My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, the Irish MND Association and the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation plus support for the 4ED campaign to support former Gloucester and Leicester rugby union player Ed Slater.
Sinfield and Burrow's book, With You Every Step, will add to his already massive total.
Burrow, who communicates through an eye gaze machine, still managed to get a joke in at the expense of his mate.
The book features quotes and sayings the pair exchanged over the course of their friendship, with Burrow’s being ‘True friends are always there, even when times are tough.’
Sinfield’s is the title and he added to BBC Breakfast: “This has been two-way. Rob will never understand the help and inspiration he’s given me.
“We want people to see what friends should do for each other and what they can do for each other. It’s not about running a load of marathons, it’s about being there and sharing some special moments.”
But Burrow joked: “Remember Kev, you aren’t getting any younger!”
He added: “Kev was my captain and he still is my captain. He always will be.
“He won’t like me saying it but he puts his body on the line every time he steps up to start a challenge. He could give James Bond a run for his money!
“And I wanted to do this book to highlight the importance of friendship and show there are many ways to be strong.
“I hope it gives my three young children an insight into what true friendship is.”
KEVIN SINFIELD 7 IN 7 IN 7
December 1 – Headingley, Leeds to York Minster
December 2 – Cardiff, finishing at Cardiff Arms Park at half-time of Cardiff v Scarlets
December 3 – Birmingham, starting at Alexandra Stadium and taking in St Andrews, Villa Park and Edgbaston
December 4 – Edinburgh, taking in Forth Road Bridge and ending at Murrayfield
December 5 – Dublin
December 6 – Brighton
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December 7 – London, Twickenham to The Mall
PEOPLE can show their support now at https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/kevin-sinfield or people can text Kevin10 to 70143 to donate £10 or Kevin20 to the same number to donate £20.