A BRADFORD man with motor neurone disease (MND) is backing a rugby league legend’s charity running challenge as it is set to reach the city.

Martin Moran says he is fully behind former Leeds Rhino star Kevin Sinfield’s Ultra 7 in 7 challenge taking place throughout this week.

Starting last weekend, Sinfield, 42, is running around 40 miles for seven consecutive days en route to Old Trafford in Manchester in a bid to raise £777,777 for five MND charities.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Kevin Sinfield, left, and Martin Moran, who has motor neurone disease, and his wife Helen Kevin Sinfield, left, and Martin Moran, who has motor neurone disease, and his wife Helen (Image: PA)

The end of the sixth day of Sinfield’s challenge, on Friday, November 18, will see him arrive at the home of Bradford City, Valley Parade.

He is then set to get his seventh and final day underway from Valley Parade, heading to Centenary Square and Manchester Road, both in Bradford, this Saturday morning, reaching his challenge destination, Old Trafford, that afternoon.

He is being supported by Mr Moran, 48, who used to work as a bereavement services officer for Bradford Council, before he was diagnosed with MND in September 2017.

He is now permanently in a wheelchair and can only use his eyes to speak with. He has movement in his feet and cannot eat for himself. His wife Helen is his full-time carer at their home in Bradford.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: The signed Leeds Rhinos jersey given to Martin Moran by Kevin SinfieldThe signed Leeds Rhinos jersey given to Martin Moran by Kevin Sinfield (Image: Newsquest)

Speaking via eyegaze grid pad equipment, Mr Moran, who is a fan of both Bradford Bulls and Bradford City, says the term legend is used too often but is right in Sinfield’s case. He added the Rhinos legend was his personal hero.

Sinfield previously met Mr Moran at a Bradford restaurant in September 2021 after presenting him with a framed and signed Leeds Rhinos shirt. It also features a personally signed message to Mr Moran from the rugby league ace which says: ‘Best wishes and keep smiling, Kevin Sinfield’.

Mrs Moran said: “It’s horrendous to see what it is doing to Martin. There is no let-up. It has been a real struggle.

 

“There’s not a day goes by when we don’t cry. Martin says ‘why me?’ It’s been really, really hard for him. It’s the most cruel disease. Day-to-day is hard.

“Even if he is having the worst day, Martin will find a smile from somewhere.”

The Ultra 7 in 7 challenge will support five charities, including and Leeds Hospitals Charity’s appeal to build the Rob Burrow Centre for MND in Leeds, which all support people affected by MND, and invest in research to find a cure for the disease.

Go to donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/kevin-sinfield-ultra-7-in-7-challenge to make a donation.

 

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