A petition calling for Kevin Sinfield to be made a 'Sir' has reached almost 100,000 signatures following a Mirror call for action.
Calls are growing for the rugby league legend to receive the country's highest honour. The MND campaigner has already been recognised with an MBE (2014), OBE (2021) and CBE (2024) for his charitable work and service to rugby league.
But honours protocol normally requires a three-year gap between upgrades, meaning he would not be eligible for a knighthood until at least 2027. After he crossed the finishing line on his latest epic challenge two weeks ago, we told how many supporters believe that the rule should be waived.
The petition, started by Mel Handforth, 47, a lifelong Rhinos fan, is calling for the Honours Committee and Prime Minister to recognise Sinfield.
The popular demand has grown by more than 40,000 signatures to 93,319 in the two weeks since the Mirror's front page called for him to be made a Sir. If it reaches more than 100,000, it would usually be debated by MPs in Parliament.
Mum-of-two Mel, of Garforth, Leeds, told the Mirror: "I think it is absolutely ludicrous that he has not been given the knighthood.
"It is a ridiculous rule." She told how she first started the petition almost four years ago when Kevin began his fundraising drive and Rob was still alive.
It was relaunched as Kevin passed £11m raised with his latest ultramarathon challenge which ended in Leeds on Dec 7.
Mel added: "He's not doing this for recognition - he's doing it because he cares deeply about the MND community and honouring his friend Rob's legacy.
"I urge the Honours Committee to recognise Sir Kevin Sinfield for his remarkable work."
Two weeks ago, we told how Kevin had raised another £1.3m for motor neurone disease treatment and research in memory of his late friend and Rhinos teammate Rob. It took the total to more than £11.3m after his previous five challenges raised £10m. Andy Bell, 49, chairman of Featherstone Lions Rugby club in Wakefield, W. Yorkshire, where Sinfield's ex Leeds team mate Rob played as a junior, said: " What he has done is quite exceptional."
Kevin's last challenge saw him run nearly 300 km (185 miles) over seven days. Prince William described him as "truly inspiring" as he completed the 7 in 7 challenge, the name derived from Burrow's old shirt number.
The target had been £777,777. But the £1.3m will go towards Motor Neurone Disease Association, Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association, My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, MND Scotland, Leeds Hospitals Charity and The Darby Rimmer MND Foundation. The final Santa Dash event began at Leeds Beckett University before they arrived at the finish line. It was the first time Sinfield and his team had visited Leeds since Burrow's death in June 2024. William made both Sinfield and Burrow Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBEs) at the Rhinos' Headingley Stadium in January 2024. Burrow died five months later, at the age of 41, following a four-and-a-half-year battle with MND during which he devoted himself to raising awareness and money for treatment and research. The prince promised to return to open the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease, and did so last month, joining Sinfield and Burrow's three children, Macy, 13, Maya, 10, and Jackson, six, and his widow Lindsey, 42. Sinfield, currently a coach with the England rugby union team, famously carried Burrow over the finish line at the Leeds Marathon in 2023.