Increasing demands for rugby league icon Kevin Sinfield to be knighted following his latest remarkable fundraising effort for motor neurone disease (MND) charities have been snubbed again. The Leeds Rhinos veteran recently completed his demanding 7 in 7: Together challenge, running seven ultramarathons of at least 28 miles each over seven days across the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

The final stretch ended outside AMT Headingley Stadium in Leeds, with this single challenge raising over £1million for charity. In total, Sinfield has raised over £11m for MND research and support, motivated by the diagnosis of his close friend and former Leeds team-mate Rob Burrow in 2019. Despite being given just a year to live, Burrow defied the odds and inspired millions before sadly passing away last year, three-and-a-half years after his diagnosis.

Following his friend's tragic death, Sinfield vowed to continue fundraising until a cure for MND is found. He shows no signs of stopping, having recently tackled another gruelling challenge.

Sinfield's extraordinary efforts have not gone unnoticed. He was awarded a CBE for services to MND awareness in the 2024 New Year Honours List, following an OBE in 2021 for services to rugby league and charitable fundraising, and an MBE in 2014 for services to rugby league.

However, the millions of people inspired by Sinfield's charitable work have been clamouring for the 45-year-old to receive the highest honour of all, a knighthood.

It has been suggested that one reason he has not yet received such an honour is due to protocol rules which can prevent honours from being upgraded for three years after they are awarded. Having received a CBE nearly two years ago, it may mean he has to wait another year before becoming eligible.

Nonetheless, there have been widespread calls from politicians and campaigners for these protocols to be waived in order to allow Sinfield to finally become a Sir in recognition of his heroic dedication to the cause.

Andy Bell, 49, chairman of Featherstone Lions Rugby Club in Wakefield, where Burrow played as a youngster, said: "He should have been knighted by now, really. What he has done is quite exceptional.

"I know that there is a rule that says he cannot be honoured within three years of his last honour. People don't really know about that rule around here and he would be as good a reason as any to break that rule. The fans already call him Sir Kevin."

Independent peer Lord John Mann previously added: "Protocol should be overridden in this case, absolutely - the public acclamation demands it."

Nearly 50,000 individuals have signed a petition in support of his knighthood, with Piers Morgan also publicly advocating for the cause. In a post on X, he declared: "Few more deserving candidates for a knighthood than Kevin Sinfield after another astonishing achievement from this remarkable man who does so much for MND Association."

The Speaker of the House of Commons, Lindsay Hoyle, has also endorsed Sinfield for the honour, posting on X: "What an amazing man, you have earned a knighthood."

Leeds Rhinos legend Sinfield has won the backing of Burrow's father Geoff, who told the Daily Star: "If ever anybody deserved a knighthood, it's Kevin Sinfield. What he's done to support MND sufferers is just incredible. He's putting himself through this torture.

"When we meet up, I ask: 'Why do you keep doing it?' He says: 'Because I can and I want to.' Well, they sound like two of the best reasons I can think of. Kevin is keeping Rob's name at the forefront. We're forever grateful of him."

Upon completing his latest challenge, Sinfield addressed the hundreds of supporters gathered at Headingley Stadium to greet him at the finish line, stating: "To the MND community and the people we've met on route, all through the last week, all through the past five years, to everybody we've met, you're an absolutely beautiful community. We've got to keep fighting for the MND Community."

If Sinfield is awarded a knighthood, he will be only the second rugby league player to receive the title of 'Sir', following in the footsteps of Welsh legend Sir Billy Boston, who was knighted earlier this year.