Jessica Ennis-Hill, an Olympic champion residing in Sheffield, has pledged her support to Kevin Sinfield’s charitable endeavor to combat Motor Neurone Disease (MND). Ennis-Hill will be running alongside Sinfield during the Sheffield leg of his ‘7 in 7 Together’ challenge, which involves completing an ultra marathon each day for a week.
Sinfield, a former England and Leeds Rhinos star, initiated this challenge to raise funds for MND charities. This marks his sixth consecutive annual fundraising effort, having already amassed over £10 million. The proceeds have notably contributed to the establishment of a pioneering center in Leeds, a first of its kind in the UK.
The inspiration behind Sinfield’s relentless campaign stems from his close friend and former teammate, Rob Burrow, who was diagnosed with MND. Ennis-Hill’s participation adds significant visibility to the cause, leveraging her stature as an Olympic gold medalist in the heptathlon and a three-time world champion.
Despite retiring from athletics in 2016, Ennis-Hill remains active in philanthropy, serving as a patron for various charities including the Sheffield Children’s Hospital and Barrie Wells’ sports foundation. Sinfield’s determination to find a cure for MND remains unwavering, especially after learning about England World Cup winner Lewis Moody’s MND diagnosis, emphasizing the ongoing importance of advocacy.
Following the Sheffield leg, Sinfield’s challenge will continue through Cumbria, Scotland, and conclude in Leeds. To learn more about the initiative, visit https://www.therhinos.co.uk/the-club/sinfield-together-2025.