Kevin Sinfield has been awarded a knighthood in the king’s birthday honours list for his remarkable fundraising efforts for motor neurone disease (MND). The 45-year-old rugby league icon has raised more than £11 million for MND-related charities and research since his former Leeds Rhinos teammate Rob Burrow was diagnosed with the condition in 2019. Burrow passed away in the summer of 2024.
Seventh and final challenge
Sinfield, who will now be known as Sir Kevin, has announced his seventh and final fundraising challenge, titled 7 in 7, where he will run seven ultra-marathons in seven days starting on 27 September. This follows his initial 2020 challenge of seven marathons in seven days, inspired by Burrow’s shirt number seven.
“I am deeply honoured and grateful to receive this award on behalf of the rugby and MND communities,” Sinfield 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.”
Continued commitment
Sinfield emphasised that his work is not done. “We have raised so much awareness and funds to support families and aid research but more needs to be done,” he stated. “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.”
His fundraising has already led to the opening of the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease in Leeds last year. Lindsey Burrow, Rob’s wife, congratulated Sinfield, saying, “I cannot think of a more deserving recipient. As Rob used to say, everyone should have a friend like Kevin.”
