HUNDREDS of rugby league supporters gathered at Leigh Sports Village to give Sir Kevin Sinfield a hero's welcome as he completed another stage of his final fundraising challenge for the motor neurone disease (MND) community.
The rugby league legend arrived at the home of Leigh Leopards on Friday, October 2, as part of his 7 in 7: The Grand Finale challenge, which saw him complete an ultra-marathon every day for seven days while visiting all 12 Super League clubs before finishing at Old Trafford ahead of the Grand Final.
Fans lined the walkways around the stadium and Leigh Harriers track to cheer Sinfield on as he took part in one of the challenge's popular Extra Mile events, where people affected by MND join him and members of his team to complete a mile together.
Leigh Sports Village was one of the final stops on the penultimate day of the challenge, with supporters encouraged to arrive early to welcome the former Leeds Rhinos and England captain.
Sinfield wore Leigh Leopards colours during the visit and was joined at the event by Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, the Wigan MP.
Since launching his fundraising efforts in 2020 following the diagnosis of former team-mate and close friend Rob Burrow, Sinfield and his team have raised more than £11 million for MND charities and support organisations.
This year's challenge is supporting six charities, including the MND Association, Leeds Hospitals Charity, the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation, MND Scotland and the Irish MND Association.
After leaving Leigh, Sinfield continued on to Wigan Warriors and St Helens before completing the final day of the challenge on Saturday, October 3, at Old Trafford.
The challenge is the seventh and final instalment of the fundraising series which has become one of rugby league's most inspirational movements, raising millions of pounds while increasing awareness of the devastating impact of MND.
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