19 November 2024 News
Kevin Sinfield CBE embarks on his latest 7 in 7 challenge to help raise money and awareness of motor neurone disease (MND).
Running Home for Christmas will see Kevin aim to complete seven ultra marathons in seven regions in seven days starting in Liverpool on Sunday 1 December and finishing in Saddleworth on Saturday 7 December.
Along the way, he will pass through countless towns and villages across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, as he makes his way through Wrexham, Gloucester, Bristol, Belfast, Glasgow, Hull, Northampton, Leicester and Manchester before returning home to Saddleworth.
As well as continuing to raise awareness of MND – a disease which affects more than 5,000 people in the UK at any one time - Kevin is aiming to raise £777,777 for MND charities in memory of his much-loved friend and former teammate, our patron Rob Burrow, who died from MND in June, aged just 41. As always, Rob’s famous number 7 shirt continues to inspire the whole team, who will be covering distances in excess of 50km, broken down into 7km blocks, every single day.
Kevin and the team have been single-minded in their determination to continue with the challenge in Rob’s memory, raising money for the MND community while funding vital research into potential new treatments for this devastating disease.
There are few words that haven’t been said about Kev already, but I know to so many people within our community he is, quite simply, a hero.
“We are incredibly grateful for everything Kev has done to support us over the past four years. To be taking on another challenge this year is just incredible.
“This challenge will be particularly emotional following Rob’s death earlier in the year, but we know the whole MND community will be behind Kev once again, supporting him and keeping him going right to the finish line.
Running Home for Christmas – the route
Sunday, December 1: Day 1 – Liverpool to Wrexham
Monday, December 2: Day 2 – Gloucester to Bristol
Tuesday, December 3: Day 3 – Belfast
Wednesday, December 4: Day 4 – Glasgow
Thursday, December 5: Day 5 – Beverley to Hull
Friday, December 6: Day 6 – Northampton to Leicester
Saturday, December 7: Day 7 – Manchester to Saddleworth
Learn more details about the route here.
The Charities
Every penny raised from the challenge will be donated to MND charities to support the work they do to help people living with, and affected by MND, while also helping to fund pioneering research.
The MND Association will receive 50% of the money raised, funding support for people living with and affected by MND across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, while also investing in vital research bringing hope for the future. Leeds Hospitals Charity will receive 22% to help them to continue building the Rob Burrow Centre for MND.
Four additional charities – Irish MND Association, My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, MND Scotland and The Darby Rimmer Foundation – will each receive 7%.
The Irish MND Association provides essential care and support for people with MND, their families and carers in the Republic of Ireland. The Irish MND Association is included in memory of broadcaster Charlie Bird, who was part of last year’s challenge in Dublin, and died in March this year.
My Name'5 Doddie Foundation funds research into the causes of MND and potential treatments while also supporting families affected by MND.
MND Scotland supports people living with, and affected by, MND in Scotland, while funding research and clinical trials.
The Darby Rimmer MND Foundation funds and assists research into MND, while creating a network to help provide support for people diagnosed with MND.
The Impact
To date, Kevin’s challenges have raised an incredible £5.6 million to support the MND Association’s work.
This money continues to make a huge difference to the lives of people with and affected by MND, while funding cutting edge research.
Among the many projects the money has supported are:
- Three key translational research projects which are investigating potential gene therapies to slow or stop the progression of MND and restore muscle function in those affected;
- The Association’s network of 23 care centres across England, Wales and Northern Ireland which provide co-ordinated, multidisciplinary care to people living with MND;
- The MND Association’s Children, Young People and Families programme – providing access to a dedicated MND Therapeutic Counselling Service for children and young people in partnership with Barnardo’s, funding for a dedicated project worker and the development of a volunteer programme for families affected by MND.
How you can get involved
You can donate by visiting Kevin’s Running Home for Christmas page and if you’ve been inspired by Kevin and want to create your own 7 in 7 Challenge you’ll find all the information you need to create your challenge here.
Alternatively, you can send donations via text 70143 from your mobile, plus standard network rates:
- Text Kevin or Kevin7 to donate £7
- Text Kevin10 to donate £10
- Text Kevin20 to donate £20
And to follow Kev’s challenge as it happens don’t forget to follow the MND Association social media pages on Facebook, X and Instagram.