WATCHING Kevin Sinfield talk about his life in rugby and raising millions of pounds for his best friend, Rob Burrow was a humbling experience.
And it was an experience clearly felt by the 1,000 people in the audience at The Parr Hall in Warrington last night as he was applauded and given standing ovations.
Sinfield was interviewed by ex-rugby league player turned broadcaster Barrie McDermott and compere Pete Emmett.
His rugby career saw him win multiple championships and Challenge Cups, as well as individual awards, including the Lance Todd Trophy, the Harry Sunderland Trophy and the Golden Boot.
Kevin Sinfield is a true hero. He’s raised awareness and millions of pounds for research into Motor Neurone Disease after his fellow player’s diagnosis back in 2019.
Sadly, Rob died in June this year. He was just 41 years old.
His friend spoke movingly about having to complete a charity bike ride for BBC Children in Need just hours after learning or the diagnosis.
“Luckily the Blue Peter presenter never stopped talking,” he joked; to laughter.
But he did it as he attempted to process the news about Burrow, who at the time of his diagnosis, was in his 30s and a father of three young children.
He spoke about Burrow with great pride – about his talent as a player, as a coach and as a friend.
He spoke movingly of realising Burrow was slurring his speech at an awards event and quizzing him about alcohol and painkillers and urging him to see a doctor.
The evening flew by as he talked of his early life and career – the happiest of childhoods in Oldham as the youngest of three children.
He followed in the footsteps of his big brother Ian when he began playing rugby. Sinfield played at the old Wembley Stadium in London for the first time in 1992 aged just 12.
Sinfield talked about leadership and his style of leadership in the sport and the importance of failure as well as success.
He joked that he “doesn’t even like running”, despite all the many ultra running challenges he’s done to raise vital funds for motor neurone disease research.
Sinfield spoke about the preparation and training that goes into the challenges that is unseen by the public, who often tell him he makes it look easy.
Questions from the audience came quick and fast.
“Why didn’t you play for Warrington?” asked Julie.
He explained that he’d chosen Leeds as he was the only young player to head over the Pennines at the time as a larger cohort were picked for Warrington.
“If you had one wish, what would it be?”
Quick as a flash: “A cure for MND.”
“What do you miss most about Rob Burrow?”
“His smile.” More hearty applause from the audience.
While he was talking about such an emotional and fascinating life and career, there was a lot of humour and warmth, too.
There were short video clips summarising his rugby career from his childhood and his epic fundraising on the first seven marathons in seven days.
A modest man, he described himself as someone who “just did a bit of running for my mate.”
But it was a lot more than that. He has raised millions of pounds and continues to do so as he embarks on a fifth challenge.
Back in 2020, he completed seven marathons (in decent times) on consecutive days, raising £2.8m for MND research. He smashed the £777,777 target he’d set himself in honour of Rob’s number seven shirt. It’s a feat he repeated twice with a fourth 101-mile run in 24 hours.
Construction work is underway for the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease in Leeds, where patients will learn of their diagnosis in a peaceful and tranquil environment.
Kevin Sinfield should be knighted for his charitable work and what he has done for families like mine who’ve lost a loved one through this brutal disease.
The event was organised by Warrington-based HC Promotions.
Kevin Sinfield on stage at the Parr Hall
Great night at the evening with Kevin Sinfield, what an incredible human, thought @RLBarrieMc10 did a brilliant job 👏 @emmo99 wasn’t too bad either, brilliant night, good luck with the rest of the tour 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/syuIyBog35
— mark breary (@brears40) November 14, 2024
