Kevin Sinfield confirms plans for sixth fundraiser after smashing £1 million mark

Just days after completing his fifth epic fundraiser, rugby league legend Kevin Sinfield has confirmed plans for a sixth challenge.

Saturday marked the seventh and final day of the ex-Leeds Rhinos captain’s fifth annual challenge, this year dubbed as ‘Running Home for Christmas’, with Sinfield completing seven ultra-marathons in seven days, all whilst carrying an injury.

Each day saw him run over 50km with the days appropriately split into 7-kilometre runs, the number seven once again central to the challenge in honour of former teammate Rob Burrow and his iconic shirt number.

Kevin Sinfield began his fundraising efforts after Burrow was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in December 2019 and has since raised millions of pounds to aid the MND community.

His most recent challenge, the first he has undertaken since Burrow’s death in June, has surpassed £1.1 million with the funds to be distributed among six MND charities

Appearing on BBC Breakfast, who have championed his efforts throughout, Kevin Sinfield has reflected on his most recent challenge and previewed what comes next.

Sinfield reveals the most memorable moment of recent challenge

After setting off from Liverpool on Day One, Kevin Sinfield finished his latest challenge in his home town of Saddleworth on Saturday afternoon where he thanked hundreds of supporters.

His journey had taken him via each of the home nations but he’s confirmed his most memorable moment to be in one of the rugby league heartlands.

“There were so many great moments, especially when we do the ‘Extra Mile’ and we meet families,” Sinfield explained when appearing on BBC Breakfast.

“The standout moment was probably when we reached Hull city centre and there were so many people there.

“There’s obviously the rugby league rivalry in the city but they all understood that we were there to fight MND together so to be able to have that support was incredible.”

Hull KR players were lined up in support of Sinfield that day as a keen reminder that the rugby league family is 100% behind the former Rhinos star in his efforts.

Kevin Sinfield confirms sixth challenge for 2025

‘You are one in a million’

Kevin Sinfield told #BBCBreakfast ‘we owe it to him to find a cure’ after Rob Burrow’s father Geoff sent him a message at the end of his week long ultra marathon challenge which raised over £1,100,000https://t.co/oCB2QZlTiV pic.twitter.com/nX8OHiUqgQ

— BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) December 9, 2024

Those efforts all stem from a desire to honour Rob Burrow, whose father labelled Sinfield as ‘one in a million’ following his incredible efforts.

Reflecting, Kevin Sinfield said: “We tried to represent Rob and the Burrow family in the best way by wearing that number seven. It’s important that we keep his legacy intact.

“I think we all owe it to him to try and find a cure. I’d love to think that we do it in my lifetime but Rob will certainly be at the forefront whenever that comes and what an incredible legacy for him.”

After raising over £1.1 million this time around to go on top of the millions previously raised, the 44-year-old confirmed that he will be out on the streets running again for a sixth challenge in 2025.

“There will be a sixth one. We said we’d do seven so we have to do seven, that’s the number,” Sinfield confirmed.

“We’ve got some ideas already what that looks like. First week in December next year, all being well, we’ll be out on the road again.

“We’re massively humbled. When we set out on this journey for challenge one, we’d have been happy to hit £77,777 so it’s great to be where we are today with the awareness and how the MND community feel now, plus all the money that is going to make a huge difference.”

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