KEVIN Sinfield is stunned for two reasons – at what people living with motor neurone disease face in 2024 and what ‘Superwoman’ has done.
The rugby league legend, now England RU skills and kicking coach, begins his fifth physical challenge to raise funds towards treatment and awareness of the condition today.
Over the next week, he and his team will run more than 50 kilometres a day, split into seven-kilometre blocks that start an hour after the one before.
It is the first without the man in whose name he does it, pal and former Leeds Rhinos team-mate Rob Burrow, who died in June after living with the condition for four-and-a-half years.
But just hearing what those told they have it – like rugby union star Ed Slater and footballer Marcus Stewart – go through in this day and age is driving him on.
Sinfield said: “It does amaze me and that’s why we’ve got to keep going. Unfortunately, whether we like it or not, I don’t think we’ve put enough money, research, time or energy into trying to find a cure for MND.
“We haven’t. So while that’s the case, do we sit back and let this happen, or do we try and change? Our team is passionate about that.
“I think the world of Ed. I’ve got a wonderful friendship with him and to see what the disease does to young families, especially when they have young children, it’s the worst of the worst.
“Hopefully you can see why we’ve continued this and tried to go after it again. It devastates families and in 2024 this just shouldn’t be allowed.
“I understand there are a number of other terrible diseases and illnesses out there, we’ve got to try and help everyone, haven’t we?
“Granted our passion is around the MND community but at every point we’ve asked people if they can support people and do their little bit.
“That can be towards anything that matters to them, whether it be in Rob’s name, supporting a cancer sufferer or someone with dementia, that’s absolutely wonderful.”
Sinfield, who ends on his home patch in Saddleworth, Greater Manchester, has raised about £10 million from his challenges alone. For the amount donated in Burrow’s name, you can go a lot higher.
But seeing what his mate’s wife Lindsey has done to care for her husband and becoming as big a part of the fundraising effort, while raising three children and working, leaves Sinfield stunned.
“She’s Superwoman,” he simply summed up as he revealed he will be fuelled by bacon butties, coffee and marathon star Eliud Kipchoge’s Maurten sports drink. “There’s no doubt about that.
“To do what she did – look after Rob for that period of time, bring three kids up, continue with her job, run marathons. I tip my hat to her because she’s been Superwoman and continues to be Superwoman.
“She’s probably the most inspirational female out there at the minute and has been for some time.
“I know there are a lot but when you want someone to show what loving a family looks like, what caring for people looks like, there aren’t many who’d do it live on TV.
“There’s not many willing to open their door and say, ‘Come and see this,’ because of how difficult it is. Because of that, she’s done a brilliant job.
“Clearly, she’s got to live with some challenges as her soulmate’s gone but I’ve no doubt she’ll continue to fight and ensure his legacy is firmly in place.”
DONATE to Kevin Sinfield’s Running Home for Christmas challenge at https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/kevin-sinfield-and-teams-fundraising
