Kevin Sinfield, the former Great Britain rugby league captain who has raised $26 million through his work for Motor Neurone Disease since his best mate Rob Burrow was diagnosed in 2019, has been knighted by Prince William. The Prince of Wales called the honour 'probably the easiest decision anyone has ever had to make' and said Sinfield 'should have been Sir Kevin years ago'. Sinfield is planning to bring his running challenge to Australia and New Zealand next year, likely in May.
Sinfield, 46, was knighted at Windsor Castle last month for his fundraising work over the past seven years. He has completed seven running challenges, including multiple rounds of seven marathons in seven days, and this year ran an ultra-marathon of 50 kilometres every day for seven days.
Sinfield's efforts began in 2020 after Burrow was diagnosed with MND in December 2019. Sinfield had promised to raise a certain sum by Christmas 2020, but COVID lockdowns prevented large fundraising events. He then ran seven marathons in seven days aiming to raise £77,777 (about $150,000). The public donated more than £2 million.
'I had no idea I'd end up where we've ended up,' Sinfield said. 'It was never planned. Like I said, the first one was very fortunate in terms of timing because we create a lot of momentum. And on the back of that, it's enabled us to carry that on. We've been able to raise awareness and funds but also change the way people understand MND across the UK and Ireland.'
Burrow died in 2024. Sinfield said he continues fighting for his legacy and for other families. 'Sadly we lost him just over two years ago. But we continue fighting for his legacy. And now for so many other families as well, who've become friends because you meet people along the way.'
Sinfield, now an assistant coach for the England rugby side, said a cure for MND can be found with enough funding. He also wants better support for sufferers and their families. 'I made a commitment [to Burrow] that I would support this community for the rest of my life.'
Next year's Australia and New Zealand challenge is likely to be in May, with Sinfield running seven marathons in seven days in different cities, finishing at various sporting events. 'We're going to try and build it around an Origin game and then factor in some union, some Aussie Rules, and try and incorporate the three sports, obviously with Jai and Nathan currently living with MND, and with Neale Daniher's great work as well,' Sinfield said.
'We want to show the MND community everywhere that everybody's important and should be cared for and looked after and feel part of something. That's part of why we're coming to Australia and New Zealand. We want to collaborate. The sooner we pull countries together on this, the better chance we've got of cracking it everywhere, not just in the UK and Ireland. We've got to rid the world of MND.'
When asked if he has insisted his players address him as 'Sir Kev', Sinfield said: 'The great thing about rugby dressing rooms and league rooms is everyone is equal. So, yeah, it's not about me. I'm just Kev.'
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Analysis
Why This Matters
Sinfield's $26 million fundraising and knighthood highlight the urgent need for MND research funding and better care for sufferers.
His planned Australia and New Zealand tour will connect sporting communities across rugby league, rugby union and AFL, raising awareness in three nations.
The challenge may accelerate collaboration between researchers and improve support systems for MND families worldwide.
Background
Kevin Sinfield is a former Great Britain rugby league captain who played 15 years alongside Rob Burrow at Leeds Rhinos. After Burrow's MND diagnosis in 2019, Sinfield began a series of extreme running challenges that have raised millions. He is now an assistant coach for England's national rugby union team. Burrow died in 2024. Recent MND diagnoses in Australia include NRL player Jai Arrow and former Wallaby Nathan Charles, with the late AFL great Neale Daniher also inspiring fundraising work.
Key Perspectives
Prince William: Said Sinfield 'should have been Sir Kevin years ago' and that knighting him was 'probably the easiest decision anyone has ever had to make'. He also expressed concern about Sinfield's knees from the running challenges.
Kevin Sinfield: Says he made a commitment to support the MND community for life, believes a cure can be found with proper funding, wants better care for families, and hopes to collaborate globally to 'rid the world of MND'.
MND families: Sinfield says he has become close to many families through his runs, spending time with them and providing support, and says the running has become less about the physical challenge and more about connecting people.
What to Watch
Final details of Sinfield's Australia and New Zealand challenge, expected in May, with potential ties to State of Origin and other major sporting events.
Whether the challenge spurs new funding commitments from governments or sporting organisations in Australia and New Zealand.
Progress in MND research collaborations between the UK, Australia and New Zealand that Sinfield's work may help catalyse.
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
SupportedPrince William said Sinfield should have been knighted years ago.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: ““Frankly, he should have been Sir Kevin years ago,” Prince William told the BBC”
SupportedSinfield has raised $26 million through his work for MND since Rob Burrow’s diagnosis in 2019.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “The honour – and the genuine admiration of the Prince of Wales – was earned by Sinfield thanks to his extensive work raising funds and awareness for Motor Neurone Disease over the past seven years. ... The former Great Britain rugby league captain has so far raised a remarkable $26 million”
SupportedSinfield is likely to run seven marathons in Australia and New Zealand next year.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “It’s why Sinfield has decided to lace up again next year and do a charity challenge in Australia and New Zealand. The final plan is yet to be set in stone, but it is likely to be in May, with Sinfield running seven marathons in seven days”
SupportedPrince William called the knighthood “probably the easiest decision anyone has ever had to make”.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Prince William told the BBC, adding that awarding the knighthood to Sinfield at Windsor Castle last month was “probably the easiest decision anyone has ever had to make”.”
SupportedSinfield was knighted at Windsor Castle last month.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “awarding the knighthood to Sinfield at Windsor Castle last month”
SupportedSinfield’s current-year challenge was an ultra-marathon of 50 kilometres every day for seven days.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “This year, Sinfield finished his seventh challenge by knocking off an ultra-marathon (50 kilometres) every day, for seven days.”
SupportedFor his first seven-marathons-in-seven-days challenge, Sinfield aimed to raise £77,777.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Sinfield ran seven marathons in seven days, aiming to raise £77,777 (about $150,000).”
SupportedThe public donated more than £2 million after that challenge.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “The public forked out more than £2 million.”
SupportedSinfield said, “I had no idea I'd end up where we've ended up,” and that the effort “was never planned.”Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: ““I had no idea I’d end up where we’ve ended up,” Sinfield said. “It was never planned.””
SupportedRob Burrow died in 2024.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “The former halfback was diagnosed with MND in 2019 and died in 2024.”
SupportedSinfield said a cure for MND can be found with enough funding.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “With the right amount of funds we’ll find a cure.”
SupportedSinfield’s Australia and New Zealand challenge is likely to be in May, with seven marathons in seven days across different cities, finishing at sporting events.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “The final plan is yet to be set in stone, but it is likely to be in May, with Sinfield running seven marathons in seven days in different cities, finishing at various sporting events.”
Correction
An earlier version of this story quoted Prince William describing the honour as 'long overdue'. He said Sinfield 'should have been Sir Kevin years ago'.