Sinfield bid to sell 7,777 pairs of socks for MND

Former rugby league star and fundraiser Kevin Sinfield is aiming to sell 7,777 pairs of sports socks as part of his fundraising mission for motor neurone disease (MND) charities.

The Sock It To MND campaign has been launched in support of his seventh and final challenge - dubbed 7 in 7: The Grand Finale.

Starting on 27 September and finishing at the Super League Grand Final on 3 October, the feat will see him run an ultra marathon every day for seven consecutive days, visiting all 12 English Super League grounds between Hull and Manchester.

Speaking ahead of his challenge, Sinfield said: "If we all do a tiny bit, it goes a long, long way."

Sinfield's fundraising efforts are inspired by his former team mate Rob Burrow who died in June 2024 after living with MND for four-and-a-half years.

Burrow wore the number 7 shirt during his career as a scrum-half for the Leeds Rhinos.

Since Burrow's diagnosis in December 2019, Sinfield, 46, has raised more than £11m for MND causes.

Sinfield said the idea for his new fundraising drive came from kit supplier Oxen Sports, who had been "a big supporter of the challenges over the last six years".

Only 7,777 pairs of limited edition socks will go on sale, with Oxen asking athletes, supporters and organisations to share a photo or video on social media using #Sockit to show support for Sinfield's challenge and the MND community.

All the profits from the sock sales will go directly to MND charities and Sinfield's fundraising totals.

Oxen Sports CEO Lee Jenkinson said: "What Kevin has done for the MND community, inspired by his friendship with Rob, has gone so far beyond sport.

"It is an incredible example of loyalty, determination and using your platform to inspire others."

The challenge will kick off at Hull KR's Craven Park and will also visit Hull FC's MKM Stadium and Sinfield will cover at least 45km (27.9 miles) each day.

Speaking on BBC Radio Humberside, Sinfield said: "I'm really looking forward to coming to Hull in a couple of weeks and starting there.

"The people of Hull have really got behind what we've tried to do for Rob and for the MND community."

When Sinfield played for Leeds Rhinos, they had their fair share of battles with Hull FC.

Asked if he was concerned about running in Hull, he said: "I know they might think there is some rivalry here but that has all gone, that was 11 years ago.

"We need to come together to fight against MND."

In July, hundreds turned out for Craig Eskrett's Run for MND, which was the idea of Eskrett, a Hull Kingston Rovers fan, who has been living with the disease since September 2023.

Sinfield said: "I think what you see with rugby league in particular is they look after their own and they've certainly done that up in Hull with Craig.

"The fact that he set his own 10k up, the fact that other people are doing their own 7 in 7s, other people are doing their own little bit, and that's all we ask."

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