Skip to content

Hull was 'stand out' moment - Kevin Sinfield

Dale Baxter/BBC Kevin Sinfield arriving to a cheering crowd at Craven Park. He is wearing a white running top, blue jacket and a bandana. Dale Baxter/BBC
Sinfield told supporters at Craven Park, the home of Hull KR, it was wonderful to see everyone coming together in support of the MND community

Former rugby league star Kevin Sinfield said the support he received from people in East Yorkshire during his latest motor neurone disease (MND) fundraising challenge had been "incredible".

Sinfield finished seven ultra marathons in seven days on Saturday, in memory of his late teammate Rob Burrow, who died with the illness in June.

On Thursday, the former England and Leeds Rhinos captain, 44, covered about 31 miles (50km) between Beverley and Hull.

He told BBC Breakfast: "The stand out moment was when we ran into Hull."

PA Media Kevin Sinfield waves as he sets off wearing a white running top and blue bandana surrounded by TV camerasPA Media
Sinfield began his run in the East Yorkshire town of Beverley

Sinfield set off from Beverley Racecourse wearing the black and white colours of rugby league side Hull FC, but switched to the red and white of cross-city rivals Hull Kingston Rovers for the second half of the route.

"When we hit Hull city centre there was just so many people there," Sinfield said.

He added that, despite the rivalry between the sides, "they all understood we were there to fight MND together".

"To be able to have that support was incredible."

Allow Facebook content?

This article contains content provided by Facebook. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read  and  before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

After crossing the finishing line at Craven Park, the home of Hull KR, Sinfield told supporters: "We wanted to come here because it's a mad rugby league city [and] we hoped you'd get behind Rob Burrow, and you certainly have done."

"We can't thank you enough."

"The people of Hull have been fantastic in their support of Rob and certainly both clubs have done their little bit," Sinfield added.

Danny Lawson/PA A smiling Dame Laura Kenny with a white helmet riding a bike. Sinfield and other runners can be seen in the background.Danny Lawson/PA
Sinfield was joined by five-time Olympic gold medallist Dame Laura Kenny

Olympic gold medallist Dame Laura Kenny joined Sinfield on his fundraising run in memory of her grandmother who died of the disease in 2006.

"What Kev and Rob and Doddie and everyone shouting about motor neurone disease is doing are total inspirations to me," she said.

"I just want everyone to know what it is and keep raising money because without these events ultimately we won't find a cure."

The challenge was also in memory of former Hull FC player Adam Maher, who died from MND in 2020 at the age of 47.

PA Media Kevin Sinfield wears a blue and green shirt and matching headband as he leans close to Rob Burrow, who is wearing the same top and sunglasses as he sits in a wheelchair. Both men are smiling and looking towards the camera.PA Media
Kevin Sinfield (left) with Rob Burrow in May 2023. They raised millions of pounds for charities after Mr Burrow was diagnosed with MND in 2019

It is Sinfield's fourth consecutive annual event for MND charities, having already raised almost £10m in previous fundraisers.

The former England player started the week-long challenge in Liverpool before finishing near his home in Saddleworth, Greater Manchester, on Saturday, raising more than £1m.

Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.

More on this story
Related internet links