Awful weather fails to spoil Saddleworth’s incredible day for heroes

It was truly Saddleworth’s day for heroes.

The cheering community opened its hearts to welcome the return of their legendary hero Kevin Sinfield CBE, who chose to end his latest gruelling 230-mile seven-day challenge running home for Christmas to the land he loves.

And despite relentless winds and a crippling rain storm, the remarkable Saddleworth Round Table’s 10th Santa Dash saw a seamless dovetail with Kevin’s arrival and the launch of a record 2,500 men, women and children tackling a 2k Uppermill route and separate 5k trail taking in Greenfield.

And they were all spurred on by Kevin’s simple but inspiring message when he arrived at the Santa Dash meeting point.

He said: "Saddleworth is proud of you all!”

The Santa suited crowds shared a musical interlude filled with upbeat brass band music and dance from talented local youngsters, including the young musicians from Dobcross, the full marching Friezland brass band, Saddleworth’s Morris Men and some special Disney guests.

And there was a large heated marquee in the park with a selection of hot (mulled wine and Vimto) and cold drinks (fresh beer). 

Andrew Rothwell, who headed the Round Table’s organing team, said: ”In the he last 10 years this event has generated excess of £100,000 donated back in the local community and local worthy causes.

"And this year alone has seen more than £10,000 donated."

Saddleworth-based former rugby star Kevin told the BBC it would have taken losing a leg to stop him completing a incredible seven-day challenge in aid of people with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

Despite picking up a muscle injury in November, he started the week-long endeavour in Liverpool last Sunday in memory of his late teammate Rob Burrow, who died with the illness in June.

Crossing the finish line in Saddleworth having raised more than £1m, Sinfield told the BBC: "Since Rob got diagnosed it's taught me that it's important to take some risk - be uncomfortable and be vulnerable and, yeah, that's what we've had to do this week.

"I understood that at some point it could go wrong and I could end up having to stop, but as I said… you'd have had to chop my leg off for that."

You can donate to Kevin's fund-raising Running Home for Christmas page by simply clicking the link here

List of Round Table’s donations:

St Mary's Primary - £502

Oldham Netball - £470

3D's FC - £695

Greenfield Primary - £386

St Chads Primary - £702

Diggle Brownies - £287

Uppermill FC - £997

Saddleworth Rangers - £512

Dobcross Primary - £402

Greenfield Giants - £331

Kevin Sinfield MND - £5,000

TOTAL: £10,284

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