The rugby icon Kevin Sinfield is set to receive a knighthood in the King's Birthday Honors list following many years of charitable efforts dedicated to his deceased teammate Rob Burrow.
Kevin, aged 45, has successfully donated over £11 million to organizations supporting people affected by motor neuron disease (MND), following the diagnosis of his ex-Leeds Rhinos colleague, Rob, with this severe condition in December 2019.
A former England rugby player has been engaging in demanding ultra-marathons and events annually since Rob's diagnosis, with increasing demands for the modest athlete to ultimately receive recognition.
A standout moment for Kevin occurred during the 2023 Leeds Marathon, where he helped Rob cross the finish line by carrying him, having previously pushed him throughout the race using an modified cart.
The unbreakable team members were both awarded CBEs in the New Year Honours List in 2023 by Prince William who took them by surprise at Headingley Stadium, the headquarters of the Leeds Rhinos.
Regrettably, Rob Burrow died in June 2024 at the age of 41, following a battle with MND lasting four and a half years, yet his legacy still motivates Kevin's charitable initiatives.
Kevin, currently serving as a coach for the England Rugby Union team, will participate in his seventh and last race event this September to support MND charities.
His upcoming fundraising event will involve running an ultra-marathon each day for seven days, beginning in Hull on September 28, as he visits all 12 Betfred Super League venues, concluding in Manchester.
As part of his visits to all the premier-level rugby league stadiums in England, Kevin plans to run one mile daily alongside individuals impacted by this severe illness, according to the Mirror.
Kevin's initial ultra-marathon day will involve him running from Hull to York. On the second day, he will go to the recently promoted York Knights and pass by the York Minster and the racetrack.
On day three, Kevin will tour the facilities of Castleford Tigers and Wakefield Trinity, along with heading close to Burrow's residence in Pontefract.
The fourth day includes excursions to Headingley in Leeds, Odsal stadium which belongs to the Bradford Bulls, and the Accu Stadium of the Huddersfield Giants.
On day five, Kevin will traverse the Pennines and stop at Wigan Warriors and Leigh Leopards on the second-to-last day.
On his last day of racing, he will depart from St Helens, stopping by Warrington Wolves, then proceeding to Old Trafford just in time for the start of the Super League Grand Final.
The coming test isn't the initial instance where top fundraiser Sinfield has completed seven ultramarathons within seven days.
Last year, Kevin faced the harshest conditions of the UK climate while undertaking the 7 in 7: Together Challenge, with thousands of enthusiastic supporters lining the path to cheer on the rugby player.
Sprinting along waterlogged streets with plastic sacks covering his footwear, the occasion enabled him to exceed the donation target of £777,777, having run 185 miles throughout Britain and Ireland.
The concept for the 7 in 7 challenge got its name from Burrow's previous rugby jersey number.
After completing the challenge at the Rhinos' Headingly Stadium, Kevin expressed gratitude to the audience and stated: "It has been an amazing week, it was challenging and I am exhausted, but I feel radiant from within because we have invested so much over a prolonged period."
He stated, "We have secured victory in this week's conflict, yet a larger struggle remains ahead. We must continue our efforts."
Late Rob Burrow is not the only rugby player who has been diagnosed with MND, even though there is currently no research connecting MND to head trauma.
Scottish rugby athlete, Doddie Weir died at the age of 52 in 2022, six years following his diagnosis and former England captain Lewis Moody revealed he was diagnosed with the condition last year.
The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease was established at Seacroft Hospital in Leeds during 2025.
This is the initial center specifically built to assist individuals with MND and conduct essential studies on the condition.
The Monarch's Birthday Honors List is scheduled to be released over the weekend.
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