Rugby legend Kevin Sinfield will finally be knighted in King's Birthday Honours list for MND fundraising efforts in memory of late teammate Rob Burrow

By JOSHUA HAINING, NEWS REPORTER Published: 00:58, 12 June 2026 | Updated: 01:15, 12 June 2026 Rugby legend Kevin Sinfield will finally be knighted in the King's Birthday Honours List after years of fundraising in honour of his late teammate Rob Burrow. Kevin, 45, has raised more than £11million for motor neurone disease (MND) charities after his former Leeds Rhinos teammate, Rob, was diagnosed with the debilitating disease in December 2019. The ex-England Rugby player has been taking part in gruelling ultra-marathons and challenges each year since Rob's diagnosis and calls have now grown for the humble star to finally get the gong. One of Kevin's most memorable moments was when he carried Rob over the finish line at the Leeds Marathon in 2023, after pushing him the distance in an adapted buggy. The inseparable teammates were both made CBEs in the New Year Honours List in 2023 by Prince William, who surprised them at Headingley Stadium, the home ground of the Leeds Rhinos. Sadly, Rob Burrow passed away in June 2024, aged 41, after living with MND for four and a half years, but he continues to inspire Kevin's fundraising efforts. Most recently, Kevin, who is now an England Rugby Union coach, will take part in his seventh and final running challenge to raise money for MND charities. His latest test will see him attempt an ultra-marathon every day for a week, starting in Hull on September 28, where he will visit all 12 Betfred Super League stadiums, finishing in Manchester. Rugby legend Kevin Sinfield is set to be knighted after fundraising £11million for motor neurone disease charities in memory of his late teammate Rob Burrow The Leeds Rhinos teammates were inseparable together and after Rob's passing from the disease in 2019, Kevin raised money for MND charities One of Kevin's most memorable moments was when he carried Rob over the finish line at the Leeds Marathon in 2023 (pictured) after pushing him the distance While visiting each English top-flight rugby league ground, Kevin will also run a mile every day with people affected by the devastating disease, the Mirror reported. The late Rob Burrow is not the only Rugby star to be diagnosed with MND.  Scottish rugby player, Doddie Weir passed away aged 52 in 2022, six years after his diagnosis. Former England captain Lewis Moody announced he had the condition last year. In 2025, the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease at Seacroft Hospital opened in Leeds. It is the first facility specially designed to support MND patients and carry out vital research into the disease.  The first of Kevin's upcoming ultra-marathon days will see him run from Hull to York. Day two will see him visit the newly promoted York Knights and run past the York Minster and racecourse.  Day three will see Kevin visit the grounds of Castleford Tigers and Wakefield Trinity, as well as travelling near Burrow's home in Pontefract. The fourth day is set for trips to Leeds' Headingley, Bradford Bulls' Odsal and Huddersfield Giants' Accu Stadium. Kevin will cross the Pennines on day five and visit Wigan Warriors and Leigh Leopards on the penultimate day. For his final day running, he will set off from St Helens, calling at Warrington Wolves, before heading to Old Trafford in time for kick-off in the Super League Grand Final. The King's Birthday Honours List is set to be published this weekend. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.