The staggering amount Sir Kevin Sinfield has raised for MND as hero knighted

12:00, Thu, Oct 8, 2026 Updated: 12:01, Thu, Oct 8, 2026

Kevin Sinfield's gruelling charity challenges have raised millions of pounds (Image: Getty)

Since retiring from rugby league as a legend of the sport, Sir Kevin Sinfield has made it his mission to raise as much money as possible in the fight against motor neurone disease (MND). The former Leeds Rhinos hero was inspired to join the cause after his former team-mate and close friend, Rob Burrow, was diagnosed with the life-limiting condition in 2019. The pair worked tirelessly to raise awareness of the disease until Burrow's death in 2024. In the meantime, Sinfield has continued to undertake gruelling physical challenges for charity, raising millions of pounds in the process.

The former England player finished his latest 'seven in seven' endeavour, which saw him run seven ultramarathons in consecutive days, over the weekend at the Super League Grand Final.

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The event, which generated around £1.6million for MND charities, pushed his fundraising total beyond the £13million mark.

Sinfield, who was officially knighted earlier this week, has since announced plans to take his 'seven in seven' challenge Down Under.

The new venture, which is set to take place across Australia and New Zealand next year, will pull together both rugby codes to further aid the ongoing fight against MND.

Commenting on the announcement, Sinfield said: "We have seen recently in Australia, with the news that both rugby league star Jai Arrow and rugby union international Nathan Charles have been diagnosed with MND, that more needs doing.

"Former AFL star Neale Daniher did an incredible job in raising the profile for the disease in Australia before his passing earlier this year and hopefully we can pull all the football codes together with our week-long challenge.

Sinfield was recognised for his efforts with a knighthood earlier this week (Image: Getty)

"We have lots of friends in New Zealand, from both codes of rugby, who have sent me messages of support down the years and it would be wonderful to go there too.

"It is obviously a massive undertaking and we will need the help of partners to deliver it but we are confident we can continue to bang the drum for MND."

Sinfield won't be dialling back his fundraising efforts any time soon, having promised to dedicate the remainder of his life to the MND cause.

Discussing his next challenge on BBC Breakfast, he said: "It has to look different and it has to feel different. I made a commitment for life. I'm in this for life. There'll come a point where I can't run.

"The team didn't make this commitment. I'd like to go again. It has to look different."