Leeds Rhinos news: ex-teammate Richie Mathers to join Kevin Sinfield on latest challenge

Former Leeds Rhinos teammate Richie Mathers will be joining Kevin Sinfield on a leg of his latest epic fundraising challenge.
By Peter Smith
Published 12th Nov 2022, 06:00 BST
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Sinfield is preparing to run from Edinburgh to Manchester - seven ultra-marathons in as many days - in aid of motor neurone disease (MND) research.

He will set off from Murrayfield Stadium on Sunday and plans to arrive at Old Trafford during half-time of next Saturday’s men’s World Cup final.

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Ex-full-back Mathers, who played alongside Sinfield in Rhinos’ 2004 Super League Grand Final win, will join him for part of next Friday’s leg, from York to Bradford.

Richie Mathers with the Super League trophy at Old Trafford in 2004. Picture by Steve Riding.Richie Mathers with the Super League trophy at Old Trafford in 2004. Picture by Steve Riding.
Richie Mathers with the Super League trophy at Old Trafford in 2004. Picture by Steve Riding.

Mathers also played for Gold Coast Titans, Warrington Wolves, Castleford Tigers, Wakefield Trinity and Bradford Bulls and has taken a voluntary role helping coach Rhinos’ academy full-backs.

He is now business manager at Cross Green, Leeds-based ACS Stainless Steel Limited and will be running alongside work mate Tom Flannery.

ACS are long-time supporters and shirt sponsors of Rhinos and will make a £20,000 donation to Sinfield’s fund.

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Sinfield has already raised more than £5m for MND charities, in support of ex-Rhinos star Rob Burrow who was diagnosed with the disease in December, 2019. His target for the ultra-marathons challenge is £777,777.

Kevin Sinfield. Picture by Simon Hulme.Kevin Sinfield. Picture by Simon Hulme.
Kevin Sinfield. Picture by Simon Hulme.

David Flannery, ACS’s managing director, said: “We are long-time supporters of Kevin and are really proud to be supporting him through his toughest challenge to date, helping to raise funds that will aid sufferers of Motor Neurone Disease.

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“There’s great excitement among our 117-strong team; we’re based in Leeds and count many Rhinos fans among our staff – me included. We all wish Kevin, Richie and Tom the very best of luck.”

The main beneficiaries of Sinfield’s latest challenge are the MND Association and Leeds Hospitals Charity’s appeal to build the Rob Burrow Centre for MND in Leeds.

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There will also be donations to MND Scotland, My Name’5 Doddie Foundation and the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation, plus support for the 4ED campaign.

Donations can be made via https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/kevin-sinfield-ultra-7-in-7-challenge

Related topics:Kevin SinfieldMNDRob BurrowManchester