KEVIN Sinfield’s marathon efforts in the name of pal Rob Burrow could have an impact for years. The Leeds Rhinos legend is going through an astonishing seven marathons in seven days to raise funds to support his former team-mate and the Motor Neurone Disease Association as he lives with the debilitating condition. After initially setting […]
KEVIN Sinfield’s marathon efforts in the name of pal Rob Burrow could have an impact for years.
The Leeds Rhinos legend is going through an astonishing seven marathons in seven days to raise funds to support his former team-mate and the Motor Neurone Disease Association as he lives with the debilitating condition.
After initially setting a fundraising target of £77,777 – all the sevens are linked to Burrow’s squad number – Sinfield has smashed that, topping an unbelievable £600,000.
After four in and around his home town of Oldham, Greater Manchester, it was over to the city where he is a hero and where he was surprised by Burrow en route before meeting up with him afterwards yesterday, with another 26 miles lined up there today.
Now as he prepares to enter the home straight with one final run around his home area tomorrow, SunSport can reveal what he is doing will have a long lasting effect.
£100,000 of the cash, which is being divided between Burrow’s family and the MNDA, can fund a student’s three year PhD course into motor neurone disease, allowing a high calibre graduate to undertake PhD training in an MND-related research project.
£255,000 could fund a biomedical research project for three years, allowing an in-depth investigation into a key area of MND research.
£120,000 could fund a care co-ordinator at an MND Care Centre for two years. Care centres ensure people with MND have access locally to the multidisciplinary care they need.
While Sinfield braves wind, rain and snow to pound the streets, work continues in international clinical drug trials to try and develop effective new treatments for MND.
Those cost a minimum of £5 million, often significantly more, but the MNDA looks to invest at least £500,000 to ensure people living with MND in this country are part of them.
And as an MNDA spokesman said: “Funds raised by Kevin would therefore ensure we can continue investing significant new funds into these world leading trials next year and beyond.”
Sinfield, joined yesterday by fellow legend Jamie Peacock and current Rhinos skipper Luke Gale, admitted he will try and remember the good times playing alongside Burrow to get him through the dark times on the road.
He said: “I’ll be celebrating the good times and memories I’ve had with Rob.
“When it gets a bit dark and I start to question, ‘What on earth am I doing?’ I’ll try and remember some of the good times and funny moments that Rob brought us.”
When Sinfield started his challenge on Tuesday, the fundraising total stood at £48,000 – by the time he finished his first marathon that had grown to an astonishing £90,000.
TV funnyman and St Helens fan Johnny Vegas donated while many offered items, including a signed shirt from England’s 2017 World Cup final, for auction.
And Burrow’s message before he set off proved another inspiration as he said: “You must be mad.
“Kev, from day one, has always been a role model to me and someone who I’ve held in the highest regard.
“As I’ve said many times, I hope you know I’d do the same for you. It means everything to me. A friend in need is a friend indeed.”
Linda Allen, director of fundraising at the Motor Neurone Disease Association, said: “Kevin Sinfield’s epic challenge is such a moving tribute to his friendship with Rob Burrow, and to see how the rugby league community has reacted is heart-warming.
“Once again, people across the country have been inspired to dip their hands in their pockets and give generously. Watching the total increase almost hour by hour during Kevin’s challenge has been incredible.
“And it hasn’t stopped there. Alongside the many individuals and groups who have been inspired to fundraise by Rob himself over the last year, there are now others who have been inspired by Kevin to get involved, creating this incredible community of support for people with MND.
“It is only thanks to this kind of generosity that the MND Association can continue to invest in world-leading research which, we all hope, will lead to significant breakthroughs uncovering the causes and potential treatments for MND, giving hope to Rob and the 5,000 people in the UK currently living with this brutal disease.
“In the meantime, of course, our thanks and good wishes for his remaining runs go to Kevin and all involved in his challenge.”
*KEVIN Sinfield’s ‘7 in 7’ takes place until tomorrow. To donate funds to the effort, click online at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/sinfield-7-in-7.
