Former rugby ace Kevin Sinfield will pass through the region tomorrow on a ultra-marathon challenge for his former team mates.

Sinfield is attempting to complete seven 40-mile-long ultra-marathons in seven days in a bid to raise £777,777 for charities helping one of his former teammates living with motor neurone disease.

The former Leeds Rhinos captain has been inspired by close friend and ex-team-mate Rob Burrow, who was diagnosed with MND in late 2019, plus former Scotland rugby player Doddie Weir and ex-Bradford City skipper Stephen Darby, who also live with the disease.

Read more: Residents in shock and 'praying for family' after man found dead a few doors down

As of 2.30pm on Monday (November 14) Sinfield had raised £291,732 of his huge target.

The Northern Echo: Kevin Sinfield during day one of the Ultra 7 in 7 Challenge from Murrayfield to Melrose.Kevin Sinfield during day one of the Ultra 7 in 7 Challenge from Murrayfield to Melrose. (Image: PA)

Sinfield is scheduled to finish his Ultra 7 in 7 challenge next Saturday (November 19) on the Old Trafford pitch at half-time during the men’s Rugby League World Cup final between Australia and Samoa.

The rugby star planned to run from Melrose, in the Scottish Borders, to Otterburn Castle in Northumberland on Monday for the second day of his challenge.

He will then pass through Middlesbrough, York, and Leeds in the coming days, before his scheduled arrival in Manchester on Saturday.

The Northern Echo: Sinfield arriving in Melrose, Scotland at the end of day one of his challenge which will bring him through the North East.Sinfield arriving in Melrose, Scotland at the end of day one of his challenge which will bring him through the North East. (Image: PA)

Speaking ahead of the challenge beginning Kevin said: “This is taking the word challenge to the next level – but it still doesn’t even touch on the challenge which people with MND face every day.

To get more stories direct to your email basket go here 

“And that’s why I’m doing it. Inspired by Rob Burrow, Doddie Weir, Stephen Darby and other people living with MND, the money raised will support the fight against MND.

The Northern Echo: Kevin Sinfield during day one of the Ultra 7 in 7 Challenge from Murrayfield to Melrose.Kevin Sinfield during day one of the Ultra 7 in 7 Challenge from Murrayfield to Melrose. (Image: PA)

“I’m proud to be supporting five charities with this challenge, charities which support people affected by MND and invest in research taking us closer to effective treatments and a cure for the disease.”

He has already previously raised over £3.5m for MND charities after running seven standard-length marathons in seven days in late 2020, and completing a run of 101 miles in 24 hours in November 2021.

Read next:

If you want to read more great stories, why not subscribe to your Northern Echo for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here