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William and Kate surprise Sinfield on MND run

Hayley CoyleYorkshire
News imageBBC Three people stand beside a stadium dugout during a sporting event. A person in a navy suit and tie speaks with a person wearing a dark green double-breasted blazer, while a rugby player in a white jersey with blue and red horizontal stripes faces them. Behind the group, spectators and team members stand near the bench area, with rows of empty blue seats rising in the background. Visible signage includes “diykitchens” on a board above the tunnel entrance. Another player in matching kit and a cyclist wearing a helmet can be seen to the right of the image.BBC
The Prince and Princess of Wales greeted Sir Kevin Sinfield when he arrived at the DIY Kitchens Stadium in Wakefield

The Prince and Princess of Wales surprised Sir Kevin Sinfield as he finished the third day of his latest challenge to raise money for motor neurone disease (MND).

The Leeds Rhinos legend is aiming to complete seven ultramarathons in seven days, inspired by his late friend Rob Burrow, who died in 2024 after living with the disease for four years.

As he arrived at the DIY Kitchens Stadium in Wakefield he was greeted by hundreds of supporters as well as William and Kate, who stopped to chat to him and his team.

Members of Burrow's family, including his children Macy, Maya and Jackson, were also at the home of Wakefield Trinity.

As William and Kate greeted him, Kate said: "What you're doing is so inspiring – the unity that you're building."

William told him: "Make sure you hold yourself together for another few days."

Sinfield told the royal couple he had been dreaming of an ice bath all day.

News imagePA Media The Prince and Princess of Wales stand in a line of people clapping. William is wearing a dark suit and blue tie. Kate is also wearing a dark-coloured suit. To their right three children in school uniform are among a larger group. They are standing at the side of a grass rugby pitch, Behind them a number of people are sitting in the standsPA Media
Rob Burrow's children Macy, Maya and Jackson, joined William and Kate to welcome Sinfield

Sinfield is aiming to run between Hull and Manchester, visiting all 12 Super League clubs before arriving at the Grand Final on Saturday.

He began day three of his challenge at Bishopthorpe Palace in York, before passing through places including Tadcaster and Castleford.

Along the route he was joined by England rugby union head coach Steve Borthwick, former Olympian Steve Cram and Charlie Ireland from Clarkson's Farm.

During the 7 in 7: The Grand Finale challenge, each ultra marathon is split into 7km blocks which must be completed within the hour before beginning the next.

News imagePA Media Three men wearing yellow and black running kit run towards the camera. To the right of the picture a line of people cheer and clap as they pass.PA Media
Sinfield set off from Bishopthorpe Palace with England rugby union head coach Steve Borthwick

William and Kate also visited Headingley Stadium in Leeds, where they met Leeds Rhinos CEO Jamie Jones Buchanan MBE - a lifelong friend of Burrow - and former captain Danny McGuire.

During the visit, the prince mentioned the small stature of Burrow, who stood at 5ft 5ins tall.

McGuire, who now heads up the Leeds Rhino Foundation's Rugby League Development Plan, said: "Rob was so small but so brave…we followed him, he inspired us."

"What he lacked in size he made up for in his voice," Jones-Buchanan said, adding he was a comic in the dressing room.

The royal pair also met representatives from the Leeds Rhinos Foundation and spoke about how it uses "the power of sport" to help young people.

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.

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