There have been calls for Kevin Sinfield to be knighted after he completed seven ultra marathons in seven days and raised more than £1 million for motor neurone disease research.
The former Leeds Rhinos captain has taken an active role in fundraising ever since former teammate and close friend Rob Burrow was diagnosed with the condition, which is untreatable.
He ran seven marathons in seven days and raised £1.1 million in December 2020 but has gone one better this time around.
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Sinfield and his team ran from Edinburgh to Manchester - averaging more than 60km per day - and finished the almighty challenge just in time to head straight onto the Old Trafford pitch at half-time of the Rugby league World Cup final between Australia and Samoa.
The 42-year-old was met with a thunderous ovation while Heather Small belted out her hit 'Search for a Hero'.
Interviewed on the pitch about his heroic achievement, Sinfield said: “It’s all about friendship and the love for Rob. "Everyone probably feels the same way about Rob as I do, he is an absolute champion.
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“We just wanted to be a great friend. If we can all be a better friend from time to time we will have a better place to live.”
“It shows our country cares, it cares about people who need help.
“The MND community needs us and I can’t thank people enough. To be here tonight is incredibly special.”
The targeted fundraising fee for five MND charities was set at £777,777 in honour of the No.7 Burrow wore during his outstanding career.
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However that figure has been obliterated and now sits at at £1.48 million and counting after a plethora of generous donations from the public.
The MND Association will receive 41% of the funds, as will the Leeds Hospitals Charity, which will go towards building a flagship centre for care. Three other MND Charities will receive 6%.
Sinfield received an OBE in the Queen's 2021 Birthday Honours for his services to rugby league and charity work but fans think he now warrants being a 'Sir'.
Topics: Rugby League
Josh Lawless