Show your support as Sir Kevin Sinfield runs through Wigan in his 7 in 7: The Grand Finale challenge
Sir Kevin Sinfield wants people to get involved as he runs through Wigan and Leigh in his next fund-raising challenge.
Former rugby league star and fund-raising hero Sir Kevin Sinfield will run through the borough during his next mammoth charity challenge, stopping at the homes of Wigan Warriors and Leigh Leopards along the way.
And he is urging people to get involved and show their support for those with motor neurone disease (MND).
The former Leeds Rhino player has been dedicated to raising money for MND charities since his friend and teammate Rob Burrow was diagnosed with the condition in December, 2019.
He has taken on huge running challenges inspired by the number seven - Rob’s shirt number - and raised more than £11m so far.
Sir Kevin is now preparing for his seventh - and final - annual challenge, which is called 7 in 7: The Grand Finale.
It will see him run an ultra marathon every day for seven days, starting on Sunday, September 27 at the home of Rugby League World Club champions Hull KR.
He will visit each of the home grounds for the 12 English Super League clubs, before finishing on the pitch at Old Trafford ahead of the Super League Grand Final in front of 70,000 fans on Saturday, October 3.
On the penultimate day of the challenge - Friday, October 2 - Sir Kevin will run from Salford to St Helens via Leigh Leopards’ and Wigan Warriors’ grounds.
He will set off at 8.40am and run through Salford into Astley, arriving at the Cart and Horses pub at 10.13am.
Sir Kevin will arrive at Leigh Sports Village at 11.13am, continue to The Warehouse Gym in Hindley for 12.14pm and reach Wigan Warriors’ The Brick Community Stadium at 1.15pm.
He will run to The Railway Hotel in Garswood, arriving at 2.17pm, before completing the day at BrewDog Stadium in St Helens at 3.14pm.
During the seven-day challenge, Sir Kevin will wear 12 shirts, representing each team as he visits their ground, before donning a 13th neutral design to arrive at the final.
Extra Mile events will be held each day, when Sir Kevin and his team will be joined by those affected by MND to complete a mile together.
In a letter to supporters, he wrote: “Tragically, since we started these challenges in 2020, more than 15,000 people have died from MND. Fifteen thousand more have been diagnosed.
“These are shocking numbers, which is why, this year, we’ll run again – in memory of Rob and for everyone affected by this devastating disease.
“We’ll be going back to where it all began, the rugby league heartland, starting in Hull on September 27 and ending at the Super League Grand Final in Manchester on October 3.
“Once again, we’d love you to be involved. Whether you’re part of a school community, sports club, community group, business or organisation, please support the MND community.”
He suggested people get involved by cheering him on during the run, making a donation or creating their own 7 in 7 challenge.
Sir Kevin added: “Every action and every donation - however big or small – matters and makes a huge difference.”
To find out more about the challenge, including the route, search online for “7 in 7: The Grand Finale”.
Donations can be made at donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/7-in-7-the-grand-finale.