Prince William and Catherine's Surprise Visit to Kevin Sinfield's Charity Run
BBC News
The Prince and Princess of Wales made an unexpected appearance to support rugby league star Sir Kevin Sinfield, on the third day of his endurance challenge to raise funds for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) charities.
"What you're doing is so inspiring – the unity that you're building," Catherine told Sir Kevin.
The royal couple caught up with Sir Kevin in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, as he carries out what he says will be his final fundraising challenge. He aims to complete seven ultra marathons in seven days, running between Hull and Manchester, inspired by his former teammate Rob Burrow, who died from MND in 2024.
Since his first challenge in 2020, Sir Kevin has raised more than £11m for MND causes - and Prince William and Catherine made a private donation to the charity effort.
Before meeting Sir Kevin, they talked to families facing the impact of MND and heard how fundraising projects had helped them. Earlier, they visited the home ground of Rob Burrow's rugby league team, Leeds Rhinos, and met young players.
Jamie Jones-Buchanan, a former teammate of Rob Burrow, described their ethos: "We went through success and adversity, but we always came out on the other side together."
The royal visitors have previously supported Sir Kevin's efforts for MND charities, including presenting him and Rob Burrow with their CBEs at Leeds Rhinos ground in 2024.