'People know what MND is now thanks to Sinfield'
Getty ImagesA Hull KR fan living with motor neurone disease (MND) will help launch Kevin Sinfield's final challenge to raise awareness of the condition.
The former rugby league player will run seven ultra marathons over seven days, starting at Hull KR's Craven Park on Sunday.
Craig Eskrett, an avid KR supporter and fundraiser who was diagnosed with MND in 2023, will be at the start line when Sinfield sets off on his 7 in 7: The Grand Finale.
Craig's wife, Ileshia, said "everyone knows what MND is now" thanks to Sinfield's fundraising efforts.
Speaking to Richard Stead on BBC Radio Humberside, Ileshia said he had inspired people to talk about the condition, especially Craig.
"He [Sinfield] is an incredible man, he's so humble about what he does and the impact he's made," she said.
"It's given him [Craig] the positivity and mentality to keep going for everybody and to keep fighting.
"There's been a massive change since Kev and Rob and how open they've been.
"People know what MND is now and are getting behind the running, doing their own events, supporting Kev and his team, and it's made a real mark on MND and putting it out there.
"A lot more people are aware and they don't have to be people that are related to rugby league, I think it's spread wider than that, which is amazing."
Sinfield's challenges are inspired by his former team mate Rob Burrow, who died in June 2024 after living with MND for four-and-a-half years.
The 46-year-old has raised more than £11m for MND charities since Burrow's diagnosis in 2019.
Craig and his family have also helped raise funds by organising a 10K race in July, which attracted hundreds of participants and raised more than £30,000.
Ileshia said the race was "definitely" on the table for 2027.
The challenge will see Sinfield run between Hull and Manchester, visiting all 12 English Super League grounds en route.
Sinfield said: "I'm looking forward to it. It's a chance to really celebrate Rob again.
"There's something about meeting people who have just been diagnosed or meeting families who've lost somebody. They're really sad moments yet they're beautiful because they're there to share in a community that has not felt love or support and not felt important for a long time."
Kicking off at Craven Park, Sinfield will also visit Hull FC's MKM Stadium and will cover at least 45km (27.9 miles) each day.
The Bay Horse Pub in Market Weighton will be his last aid stop before he ends day one in Shiptonthorpe.
Pub manager Euan Walker said they expected Sinfield to arrive between 14:10 and 14:40 BST and encouraged people to wear orange or their local sports kit.
He said: "Come out and show what we are as a town, show that sport spirit and bring the community out to cheer him on and give him that real last hurrah for the last few miles."
Sinfield will head through York, Wakefield and Huddersfield, before finishing at Old Trafford in Manchester, just before the Super League Grand Final.
He is aiming to sell 7,777 pairs of sports socks as part of the Sock It To MND campaign. The number seven is central to the challenges as Burrow wore the number 7 shirt during his career as a scrum-half for the Leeds Rhinos.
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