Olympic gold medalist Jessica Ennis-Hill will be participating in Kevin Sinfield’s charity event in Sheffield to raise funds for Motor Neurone Disease (MND). Ennis-Hill, a resident of Sheffield, has agreed to run alongside Sinfield on Thursday as part of the ‘7 in 7 Together’ challenge, which involves running an ultra marathon each day for a week.
Sinfield, who kicked off this challenge on Monday, has been conducting annual fundraising events for MND charities, having already raised over £10 million. These funds contributed to establishing a pioneering center in Leeds, the first of its kind in the UK.
The initiative was inspired by Sinfield’s teammate and close friend Rob Burrow, who was diagnosed with MND. Sinfield’s dedication to the cause has garnered global recognition, with Ennis-Hill adding her support to his latest campaign, which is expected to significantly raise awareness about MND.
Ennis-Hill, a former heptathlon Olympic champion and three-time world champion, transitioned into a successful media career after retiring from athletics in 2016. She serves as a patron for various charities, including the Sheffield Children’s Hospital and Barrie Wells’ sports foundation.
Sinfield’s ultimate goal is to find a cure for MND, emphasizing the necessity to continue the fight, especially after learning about England World Cup winner Lewis Moody’s MND diagnosis. Moody is also planning fundraising events, including a charity dinner in April and a charity bike ride in 2026.
Following the Sheffield leg of the challenge, Sinfield will proceed to Cumbria, Scotland, and conclude the event in Leeds on Sunday. For more details on the challenge, visit https://www.therhinos.co.uk/the-club/sinfield-together-2025.