BRADFORD Bulls have put rivalry aside to commend Leeds Rhinos legend Kevin Sinfield on his latest fundraising exploits as he is set to raise well over £1million once again for charity.

The England international made a triumphant if painful return to Headingley after completing his Extra Mile Challenge in aid of former teammate Rob Burrow.

Sinfield was clearly in great discomfort as he entered Headingley to the cheers of around 1,000 fans at the end of his gruelling run, which was the equivalent of almost four marathons completed without sleep inside 24 hours.

His 101-run mile from Leicester, where he now works as defence coach with the Tigers, took its toll, with Sinfield unable to speak to waiting reporters as he was whisked away immediately after completing his commitments with the BBC's Breakfast Show.

Burrow, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in December 2019, was at Headingley for the emotional return of his close friend, accompanied by his wife and three children and father Geoff, who has been a driving force behind the bid to find a cure for MND.

Bulls were quick to congratulate the rugby league stalwart by tweeting: "Simply incredible.

"What an achievement, what a man. Running out of superlatives.

"He is one of the finest human beings of our generation."

Sinfield helped raise £2.7million by running seven marathons in seven days last December.

He was joined sporadically during this run by former teammates Jamie Peacock, Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Gareth Ellis and Barrie McDermott, along with Keighley-born politician Alastair Campbell and ex Bradford Grammar School pupils triathletes Alistair and Jonny Brownlee.

Sinfield's Giveasyoulive fund-raising page went past £800,000 - with another £160,000 in gift aid - within an hour of him crossing the finishing line and will be divided between the MND Association and the Leeds Hospitals Charity to build a new care home in the name of Burrow.

Sinfield, who was accompanied on the last leg of his run by Burrow's wife Lindsey and oldest daughter Macy, says he was driven by the presence of his old team-mate.

"It was really tough at times, especially the end, but it's down to my little mate here," he told the BBC.

In a message on his recording device, wheelchair-bound Burrow said: "Today is an amazing day for the MND community. It will benefit every sufferer.

"To my amazing friend Kev, you don't realise the impact you have had on me and all the MND community."