KEVIN Sinfield insists the honour for his marathon efforts is not about him – it is about everyone who helped him raise millions of pounds in the name of pal and former team-mate Rob Burrow.
Leeds’ director of rugby has received an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday list, to add to the MBE he got in 2014, after raising £2.7 million for his friend and the Motor Neurone Disease association by running seven marathons in seven days.
Sinfield is one of five figures associated with the 13-a-side code to be recognised, with former Rugby Football League chief exec Nigel Wood’s OBE likely to spark a huge reaction.
A divisive figure, he is the man top flight clubs effectively overthrew in their breakaway after a decade in charge with a subsequent £300,000 payoff.
His spell at the then-named Rugby League International Federation was also not universally well received.
But that does not detract from Sinfield’s honour, which is for charitable fundraising after his ‘Seven in Seven’ in December.
And despite being the one receiving it, it is not all his doing as he said: “I just feel really honoured by it, it’s absolutely for all those people who’ve given a little bit of themselves towards helping Rob and making his journey a little bit easier.
“And then, of course, to all of the Burrow family. It’s for them too.
“The rugby stuff was brilliant but I’ve got such a great deal of satisfaction from the bits we’ve done for Rob and the MND Association.
“All of us involved have been touched by the support, the generosity and the love and respect that people not only have for Rob but the whole MND community.
“To get some recognition for that is lovely but not by any stretch do I feel it’s about me because it isn’t. It’s about everybody who’s played a small part.
“And I’m very grateful that people challenged by MND daily understand that people care about them.”
Sinfield’s efforts – which are set to continue this year – were backed by Sally Light, chief executive of the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
She said: “I have found him to be a very generous and humble man, who simply wants to support people living with this brutal disease.
“His fundraising, awareness raising and friendship with Rob have captured the heart of the nation and all of us in the MND community are thrilled to see such a remarkable show of strength, courage and ultimately friendship recognised in this way.”
Other figures in rugby league to receive honours are the RFL’s non-executive director Rimla Akhtar, who receives an OBE.
MBEs were given to Stephen Ball of Rugby League Cares and the Rugby League Benevolent Fund and Martin Blondel of the Steve Prescott Foundation, who picks one up for his efforts in helping the community in St Helens during the Covid-19 pandemic.
And he thanked everyone, from late mother Val, wife Karen and daughter Sarah to TV funnyman Johnny Vegas after he played a part in efforts to deliver essential items to elderly and vulnerable people.
He said: “To be recognised by the Queen in this manner is phenomenal and has not completely sunk in. I am feeling uncomfortable at receiving all the plaudits and would much rather be in the background pushing more inspirational people forward into the spotlight.
“I am sure Steve Prescott MBE would be elated at me receiving this honour. I am totally indebted to him for teaching me so much about life and how you overcome adversity.
“Blackbrook Rugby Club were “absolutely incredible” and provided a whole host of volunteer drivers who delivered, along with SPF Ambassadors Tommy Martyn, Lee Briers, Martin Murray, Paul Sculthorpe and the legend and Pride of St Helens Johnny Vegas, who went over and above the call of duty.
“I will never forget the moment when Johnny sent the Russell Crowe video. I must admit I cried when I first watched it. I knew this would give the essential items appeal the press coverage to keep as many people as possible home and safe. I truly believe our actions saved lives.”
