Hero Sinfield gears up for his biggest challenge yet

Oldham-born rugby league legend Kevin Sinfield OBE will lead a team on his toughest challenge yet this November in the third and final leg of his epic challenges to raise awareness and funds for those impacted by Motor Neurone Disease.

His epic challenges in 2020 and 2021 have already raised over £5 million, but now he is set to go even further in 2022 on a week long challenge that will celebrate the awareness raised by three inspirational sporting characters who have done so much to raise the profile of those impacted by the season.

Starting on Sunday, November 13, Sinfield will run over 60km per day for seven days from Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh to Old Trafford in Manchester in his Ultra 7 in 7 Challenge.

Inspired by Rob Burrow, Doddie Weir, Stephen Darby and other people living with MND, Sinfield will have an initial aim is to raise £777,777 from the challenge.

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The Ultra 7 in 7 challenge will support five charities which support people affected by MND, and invest in research to bring us closer to effective treatments and a cure for the disease.

The main beneficiaries 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 MND Scotland, My Name’5 Doddie Foundation and the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation plus support for the 4ED campaign to support former Gloucester and Leicester Rugby Union player Ed Slater, who was recently diagnosed with MND.

The whole challenge will build to an incredible finish as Sinfield enters the field at Old Trafford at half time in the Mens Rugby League World Cup Final on Saturday, November 19, to complete his challenge having visited Melrose, Newcastle, Middlesbrough, York, Leeds and Bradford over the previous six days in his route south.

The challenge was launched today (Monday), Rob Burrow’s 40th birthday and fittingly seven weeks out from the start of the challenge.

Commenting on his next challenge, Kevin said: “Undoubtedly this will be the toughest challenge yet.

"We have tried to combine elements of our two previous events to create the Ultra 7 in 7.

"People living with MND have no choice but to live with their condition every day and they are inspiration for all of us taking part in the challenge.

"There has been some exciting news in recent days about current drug trials and we can all feel that a breakthrough is close.

"MND is not incurable it has just been underfunded and I have belief that by raising funds we can give the scientists and researchers the best possible opportunity to find that cure.

"We also need to help those living with MND, to give them hope and love so they know we are with them.”

Rob Burrow MBE added: “I’ve said it many times before, everyone should have a friend like Kevin.

"I know he would be the first to share the spotlight with all the team who are making this possible, just as he did as my captain but his leadership and inspiration is at the heart of every challenge.

"I am sure this will be tough and I can’t wait to see Kevin and the guys along the way to cheer them on.

"People have already been so generous over the last two years and, as a patron of the MND Association, I would like to say a massive thank you, your support has made the world of difference to so many people.

"Go safe Kev and please support them as much as you can.”

Sally Light, Chief Executive of the MND Association, added: “Once more, our patron Kev Sinfield has committed to taking on an extreme challenge in honour of his friendship with Rob Burrow, also an MND Association patron.

"But more than that, he is putting himself through a gruelling week running seven ultra marathons because he is committed to the fight against MND.

“We are so grateful for all of Kev’s efforts on behalf of the MND Association and the entire MND community.

"The fundraising from his previous two challenges has already meant the expansion of our services and more investment in vital research into this devastating disease.

"This new endeavour will continue his incredible legacy by helping progress the fight against MND.”

Doddie Weir OBE said: “It’s brilliant to see Kevin taking on yet another epic challenge to raise funds and awareness for Motor Neurone Disease.

"Seven ultra-marathons in 7 days are a daunting prospect, but if there’s someone who can do it, it’s Kevin Sinfield.

“The bond that he shares with Rob Burrow and the MND community is incredibly special, and we all thank him for his efforts and wish him good luck.”

To mark the launch of the 7 in 7 Ultra, a limited edition range of merchandise has been produced that will be worn by the team during week long challenge.

There are two designs of t-shirt and running vests available in association with Oxen Sports.

The t-shirts are available in adult sizes, small to 4XL priced £33.99 and junior sizes age 6-14 for £29.99, the running vest is available in the same sizes, priced £31.99 for adults and £27.99 for juniors.

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