Sports stars walk the red carpet for documentary on Sinfield's latest superhuman challenge

Sports stars and members of the MND (Motor Neurone Disease) community joined Rob Burrow CBE on the red carpet on Thursday 2 May at the premiere of a film documenting Kevin Sinfield CBE’s latest superhuman running challenge.

Leeds Beckett University's Carnegie School of Sport hosted sports stars and members of the MND community on the red carpet on Thursday 2 May at the premiere of a film documenting Kevin Sinfield CBE’s latest running challenge. 

Two-time world boxing champion Josh Warrington and former Liverpool and Bradford City footballer and MND campaigner Stephen Darby and his wife, England and Manchester City star, Steph Houghton were among the first to view the ‘7in7in7’ documentary last night.

RAM films’ production offers a fly on the wall account of Kevin’s latest gruelling challenge, running 7 ultra marathons in 7 days.

It also highlights the positive effect that the money raised has made to the lives of people living with MND, both from the perspective of the scientists tackling the disease and Rob’s wife Lindsey.

Leeds Rhinos great Sinfield and his team have now raised nearly £8 million for MND charities through his four endurance running challenges after his former teammate and good friend Rob Burrow was diagnosed with the disease in 2019.

And that figure is set to climb further as the latest film is made available of pay per view on Super League Plus, with £6 of every £9.99 payment going to the Motor Neurone Disease charities that Sinfield supports. Viewers can watch the documentary from Monday 6th May 2024 at https://superleagueplus.co.uk/home with free registration. 

In a special interview before the screening, Kevin Sinfield CBE said: “The reason we do it is in the room tonight.  The £8m has come from everyone showing Rob how much we love and care about him, and much wider than that, the whole MND community.

“I want the MND community to be loved and looked after properly. Of course I want to find a cure, of course I want to find drugs that slow this down and eventually reverse it. We all do. But just as importantly, I want people to be treated properly. It is still not where it needs to, but it is moving.

“We try to make people from the MND community feel valued, feel cared for and feel loved. And then everyone else, we want them to feel that they can help too.”

Kevin confirmed there would be another challenge in ‘our usual slot…the coldest, wettest week of the year’, from 1-7 December 2024.

Chris James, Director of External Affairs at MND Association, said: “The inspiration that Kev, Rob, Stephen and the late Doddie Weir have given people to come forward and support the MND community has been quite extraordinary.

“We want to say a massive thank you to Rob, Kev and all their supporters. You have completely changed the landscape for MND, and given the community real hope.”

Leeds Beckett University hosted the premiere in its Carnegie School of Sports building. The university has been a part of LBU alumni Kevin and Rob’s team since the beginning, with experts in fitness, nutrition and sport performance being central to the planning, preparation and event support during each of Kevin’s fundraising challenges.

Peter Mackreth, Dean of Leeds Beckett’s Carnegie School of Sport, said: “It continues to be a great privilege for Leeds Beckett to be part of this incredible team to raise funds and awareness for MND. 

“Both Kev and Rob have helped put MND on the map in recent years. Events like this evening help to reflect on those incredible efforts, and also to maintain momentum in the fight to secure life-changing facilities and research.”

You can still donate to Sinfeld’s latest appeal online at https://donate.giveasyoulive.c...

RAM Films are delighted to be partnered at the event by Prestige Plant Room Services Ltd, Leeds Beckett University and The MND Association.