A RUGBY legend has raised over £2.5 million for Motor Neurone Disease ahead of a challenge which will see him running through York.

Kevin Sinfield OBE, 42, ex-Rugby League player, is going to run seven ultra marathons, which is over 37 miles, in seven days, inspired by his former Leeds Rhinos team mate, Rob Burrow, 40, who is living with the disease.

Kevin will be setting off from York Minster on the penultimate day of his challenge on Friday, November 18, and will finish his sixth run in Bradford.

He had originally set a fundraising target of £777,777.

The money will be split between five charities working to find treatments and a cure for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) - the MND Association, Leeds Hospitals Charity, The Darby Rimmer MND Foundation, My Name's Doddie Foundation, and MND Scotland.

David Adams, the director of Business Waste in York, said: "Rugby league legend Kevin Sinfield OBE is set to take on his third mammoth fundraising challenge in mid-November to continue the fight against motor neurone disease (MND).

"At Business Waste, we’re proud to support his latest endeavour as a key benefactor.

"We’re also encouraging other companies and individuals to get behind his efforts and donate.” 

York Press: Rugby player, Kevin Sinfield, is running 7 ultra marathons in 7 days to fundraise for MNDRugby player, Kevin Sinfield, is running 7 ultra marathons in 7 days to fundraise for MND (Image: Business Waste)

Kevin's challenge begins on Sunday, November 13 at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, and will finish on Saturday, November 19 at Old Trafford in Manchester.

He aims to finish at the half time of the Men’s Rugby League World Cup Final.

His route goes through Melrose, Newcastle, Middlesborough, York, Leeds and Bradford.

A Business Waste York spokesperson added: "Anyone can donate to help Kevin reach his huge target. However, we’d like to especially encourage anyone working in the world of waste management to chip in where possible.

"From our customers and suppliers to local and national waste management firms, it’d be great for as many as possible to unite and get behind the fight against MND.

"You can also support this great cause by picking up a limited-edition t-shirt or running vest - 10 per cent of sales will be donated to MND and 10 per cent to Leeds Hospitals Charity."

Sinfield played rugby league for Leeds Rhinos from 1997 to 2015, and finished his career playing rugby union with Yorkshire Carnegie from 2015 to 2016.

He's currently a defence coach at Leicester Tigers, a rugby union club.

MND Association explains on their website that the disease is diagnosed when messages from the motor neurones in the brain gradually stop reaching the muscles.

This leads the muscles to weaken, stiffen and waste, which can affect how you walk, talk, eat, drink and breathe. Some people also experiences changes to their thinking and behaviour.

To donate to Kevin Sinfield's Just Giving page, click here.