'I ran with MND charity legend Sir Kevin Sinfield and saw the joy he's bringing those who need it most'

There can be few more uplifting experiences than running alongside Sir Kevin Sinfield as he goes the 'extra mile' with his supporters. A community choir sings, and a huge cheer goes up as he arrives on the latest leg of his epic 7 in 7 challenge. He has completed 83 marathons (including the latest gruelling ultra marathons) by the time we meet on this epic venture which has taken place over the past six years. His efforts have raised more than £11million, with another £1.1m raised so far for the 'Grand Finale' - the seventh challenge in seven in honour of his old team mate Rob Burrow, who died in 2024 after living with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) for four years. The famous photograph of Sir Kevin carrying his former team mate over the finishing line of the Leeds Marathon is one of the most enduring images of love and friendship. Beautiful autumn sunshine shone on Sir Kevin for his latest leg, which ran through Bradford and onto Huddersfield. Thousands of people lined the route as he made his way through the streets. For the people in the sea of orange MND shirts and vests at Horsfall Community Stadium, the man 'running for his mate' became their ray of sunshine. He is a symbol of hope in the darkest of times, and speaks movingly of families who have to deal with this cruel condition. Before we set off, there was a rendition of Happy Birthday for one brave MND patient who came along to show her support. As we jogged around the track, Sir Kevin stopped to speak with his followers, posed for selfies, and offered words of comfort and support. He joked that he has already consumed about 30 Jaffa Cakes today and told me: "We should have a word with McVitie's about sponsorship." Peter Kenyon, commercial director of Bradford Park Avenue, lines up the staff and volunteers to applaud as Sir Kev arrives. He tells me about losing his wife, Janet, to MND three years ago. He said: "She was given three weeks to live and lasted 18 months. Sir Kevin has become the voice of the MND community. The support for him is unbelievable, and rightly so." Simon Kaye, 68, of nearby Howarth, one of those who met Sir Kevin, described him as a miracle worker. He added: "I don't think anyone could have attracted the kind of attention that he has achieved for MND. He has carried on the work of his best friend Rob Burrow and together their fundraising has built the new centre in Leeds which is fantastic. He is a ray of sunshine." Simon was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, ALS, the same slow form of the disease which afflicted the scientist Stephen Hawking, who died in 2018 aged 76. We also meet the wife of Marcus Stewart, Louise, 48. The former Ipswich Town, Huddersfield Town and Sunderland star has MND. Like Sir Kevin, Louise is now a relentless campaigner for MND research. She said: "There is an MND army and Kevin is spearheading that fight. I am emotional every time I see him on TV, he was with a 10-year-old girl who has been diagnosed. When you have an illness where there is no treatment or cure, he gives hope." On every orange MND T-shirt there is the message: "Making every day matter." There can be no finer tribute to the man who has led the crusade for MND sufferers and has done so much to raise awareness of the condition which claimed the life of his best friend.