Beaumont Hospital backs Kevin Sinfield's latest challenge

The hospital, part of the Circle Health Group, will back Sinfield's "Running Home for Christmas" challenge, which aims to raise funds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA).

The Leeds Rhino star has raised more than £15m for motor neurone disease (MND) research in recent years as he has taken on a series of tough challenges following the diagnosis of his friend and former teammate, Rob Burrow, who died in June this year.

Sinfield's challenge will see him visit seven regions in Britain and Northern Ireland, running 50km per day in 7km blocks.

The Beaumont Hospital, alongside other Circle Health Group facilities across the UK, has donated £20,000 towards Mr Sinfield's target of £777,777.

Staff will also be present along the route to cheer him on.

On each leg of the challenge, Sinfield will run an extra mile alongside members of the MND community.

On four of these legs, Circle Health Group staff will join him to run their own mile.

MND is a progressive condition that affects the brain and spinal cord, for which there is currently no cure.

It is estimated that up to 5,000 adults in the UK are affected by this disease at any given time.

In 2023, Circle Health Group, with the support of the hospital, raised more than £67,000 for the MNDA.

Since the introduction of the initiative in 2021, Circle Health Group has raised more than £200,000 for various causes.

Staff and doctors at The Beaumont Hospital part of Circle Health Group, have pledged to support Kevin Sinfield CBE with his latest 'Running Home for Christmas' challenge (Image: Supplied)

Sinfield said: "It’s a privilege to help raise awareness and funds to support the MND community.

"I would like to thank Circle Health Group and all their staff for their support, it really makes so much difference."

David Cooper, chief people officer at Circle Health Group, said: "It’s an honour to be supporting Kevin’s fifth annual challenge.

"As a healthcare provider and proud member of the MND community, we feel it's our responsibility to do all we can to improve research into this cruel disease.

"I wish Kevin and the Circle teams the very best of luck for the challenge in December."

Circle Health Group's "ten thousand-strong" workforce votes each year on a charity to support with local and national fundraising activities.

This year, the money raised goes towards research and support for people living with MND and their families.