BBC Two is to broadcast a documentary about Kevin Sinfield’s fundraising efforts for MND and Rob Burrow.
The BBC Breakfast production, Kevin Sinfield: Going the Extra Mile, will look back on his fundraising challenges, not least running 7 ultra-marathons in 7 days.
Sinfield has been raising money for charities helping people affected by motor neurone disease (MND), including his former Leeds Rhinos team mate Rob Burrow, who was diagnosed with the disease in 2019.
The new film will show never-before-seen footage as he runs through towns and cities across the UK. The programme also features some of the people living with MND who have been helped and supported by his work.
“When we set out on the first challenge back in December 2020, we just wanted to help a friend who had found himself in the toughest imaginable position. With a young family of three children under the age of 10, he had been handed a life ending MND diagnosis and worse still, like so many, was then locked in his home as we battled the impact of Covid 19,” explained Sinfield.
“What started out as a way to help a friend became so much more over the course of those first seven marathons in seven days and has grown incredibly over the subsequent two challenges of the Extra Mile and the Ultra 7 in 7. I think everyone can imagine what they would do for their friend in the same position and the overwhelming support has shown that we are a nation who cares about people who are facing their own adversity.
“I am proud to be part of the MND community, the people who are living with the impact of MND who I have been privileged to meet since 2020 inspire me every day and we will never stop banging the drum for MND until we find a cure.”
Sinfield has raised more than £7m through his challenges, and was awarded an OBE by Duke of Cambridge (now HRH Prince William of Wales).
This year he was also named defence coach of England’s Rugby Union team ahead of the World Cup and Six Nations championships.
“Kevin’s determination to help his friend was obvious from the day he set off on his first challenge, and it was a huge honour for the BBC Breakfast team to be able to follow him closely on his journey,” said Richard Frediani, Editor, BBC Breakfast.
“This documentary highlights how far Kevin has pushed himself to help not only his friends but the thousands of others affected by the disease, it also shows how the last three years have changed him as a person too. We’ve followed him so much he feels like part of the family, and we’re happy to be able to show another side to this extraordinary human being.”
Kevin Sinfield: Going the Extra Mile airs on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer on Friday, 3 February at 7pm.
