Kevin Sinfield knighted for MND fundraising efforts

Kevin Sinfield has promised to continue his quest to support those living with motor neurone disease after being awarded a knighthood in the king’s birthday honours list.

The 45-year-old rugby league great has been recognised for his incredible fundraising efforts and becomes the second former player from the sport to be knighted, after Billy Boston’s elevation this time last year.

Sinfield has raised more than £11m for MND-related charities and causes, supporting those living with the incurable condition as well as funding research into attempts to find a cure. He was inspired to begin fundraising efforts after the diagnosis of Rob Burrow, his former Leeds Rhinos team-mate and close friend, in 2019. Burrow died in the summer of 2024.

Beginning with an initial challenge of running seven marathons in seven days in 2020 – seven being Burrow’s shirt number during his playing career – Sinfield has undertaken brutal running challenges every year since. He has just announced plans for his seventh and final feat, 7 in 7, when he will run seven ultra-marathons in seven days.

He will now begin that challenge on 27 September as Sir Kevin after being given the honour many within rugby league have felt is long overdue. “I am deeply honoured and grateful to receive this award on behalf of the rugby and MND communities,” he said.

“I am particularly proud to follow in the footsteps of the great Sir Billy Boston with rugby league’s second-ever knighthood in over 130 years of the sport. Sir Billy overcame so much in his life and is still loved by the game. My playing career was everything I could ever have dreamed of as a young man, but the last seven years have given me so much inspiration.

“The MND community are the very best of us and it has been my privilege to support them and put their battle on the stage it needs. As always, I continue to be inspired by the courage that Rob Burrow showed in his battle with the disease and he is never far from my thoughts.”

Sinfield’s fundraising has led to a dedicated MND centre, the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease, opening in Leeds last year, but Sinfield said his quest to support those living with the condition will not stop. “We have raised so much awareness and funds to support families and aid research but more needs to be done,” he said.

“We have to continue the fight for the 5,000 people who are living with MND in the UK today and the six people who will be diagnosed tomorrow and the next day. I am pleased that this honour allows me to continue to raise awareness and I am looking forward to joining up with the 7 in 7 team again in September for our seventh and final annual challenge.”

Burrow’s wife, Lindsey, said: “On behalf of the whole Burrow family, I would like to congratulate Kevin on his knighthood, we are all delighted for him and I cannot think of a more deserving recipient. Kevin did so much for Rob, but also the whole MND community with raising awareness and funds to support families and aid research.

“I know he has said he is dedicated to supporting the MND community for however long it takes to find a cure and that means so much to so many people to have a champion like Kevin in their corner. As Rob used to say, everyone should have a friend like Kevin and so many people will be pleased to see him get this recognition.”