Kevin Sinfield featured in a new documentary on BBC called Thank you Sir Kev on Monday
19:08, 26 Oct 2026Updated 19:36, 26 Oct 2026
Kevin Sinfield became emotional talking about the team who have supported him(Image: BBC)
Emotional Sir Kevin Sinfield says he “needed to release” the people who supported him during his incredible 7 in 7 Challenge to raise awareness and funds for the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) community.
In tonight’s BBC documentary, Thank You Sir Kev, numerous people close to him paid tribute to his incredible charity efforts for MND.
Sinfield, 46, began fundraising for MND in 2020 after his Leeds Rhinos team-mate and best friend Rob Burrow was diagnosed with the devastating condition. Burrow sadly passed away in 2024, aged just 41.
Since then, Sinfield has become one of the UK’s most prominent charity fundraisers, raising more than £13million through a series of gruelling ultramarathon challenges – with more than 2,000km covered.
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His remarkable efforts have now been celebrated in the BBC documentary, which features tributes from former England rugby star Lewis Moody, ex-Premier League footballer Marcus Stewart, Lindsey Burrow and the Prince of Wales.
They reflect on the lasting impact of Sinfield’s dedication and his support for the MND community. The programme also features his parents, Ray and Beryl, who share memories of his childhood, upbringing and early introduction to sport.
Sinfield became emotional when talking about finishing his last challenge, where he recently completed seven ultramarathons over seven consecutive days at Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford earlier this month.
Along the way he was joined by his support team who were with him every step.
Emotional moment
He paid tribute to the team behind him and became tearful when admitting it was time to end the challenges.
He said: “I needed to release them from me.
“I’m in it for life and I made that commitment. But they don’t have to be. They all knew Rob and love Rob, but bought into something to support me and I…”
At this point Sinfield paused to compose himself, before adding: “It’s been a big commitment for them all. I feel like I need to release them from it. Go, get on with your lives. Been apart of something that’s been incredible, that has hopefully made a difference. But if you want to carry on, I’ll still be here.”
Prince William featured heavily in the documentary, having got to know Sinfield through his remarkable fundraising.
He said: “That lack of ego is really important in a world where everyone wants to show how amazing they are.
“I think Kevin does it very quietly and just doesn’t want to be the centre of attention, but ultimately has a huge impact.”
He added: “I’m very pleased personally that he’s got this accolade. Never has it been more deserving nor thoroughly appreciated buy a large community who now what Kevin is like and what he can do.
“The more Kevs we have in this country the better.”
Through Sinfield’s fundraising a bespoke MND centre has been established in Leeds.
Rob Burrow’s wife Lindsey and daughter Macy(Image: BBC)
Gill Sirmaloglou, who calls herself one of the first patients at the centre, said: “What you’ve done defies words. It will change a lot of peoples’ lives for the better.”
Doctor Jung, who was Burrow’s consultant, added: “When I used to speak to people about MND, they would not know what it was.
“And now, everybody does. And that has only happened because Rob has gone public with it and Kevin has continued with it, every step, every day he is uniting the country really. It’s not just uniting the MND community, he’s united the country.”
“I just think the centre is incredible,” Macy, Burrow’s eldest daughter said on the documentary.
“It’s exactly what my dad and doctor Jung imagined it to be and it just gives that little bit of extra hope to families.
“Thanks to Kev and everyone who has fundraised, people can now come as it’s a safe space. It’s really nice to see and I’m sure my dad would definitely be smiling.”