- Published
Sir Kevin Sinfield has said his late friend Rob Burrow would be "laughing" but "enormously proud" to see him receive a knighthood.
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him → publish → knighthood
The former England rugby league captain and motor neurone disease (MND) campaigner was one of 60 people to receive honours from the Prince of Wales at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle earlier.
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captain → receive → Castle
Sir Kevin, who has raised more than £11m for charity, received a knighthood for his services to the MND community, as well as for services to league and union rugby.
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who → raise → rugby
He said he was "massively humbled by the whole experience" and "very proud to accept it on behalf of the MND community and their families".
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he → say → community
The 46-year-old said the prince, who presented Sir Kevin and Burrow with their CBEs at Headingley Stadium in 2024, had been "fantastically supportive" of their campaign.
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who → say → campaign
William, alongside the Princess of Wales, surprised Sir Kevin on the third day of his 7 in 7: The Grand Finale challenge last week, during which he completed seven ultra-marathons in seven days.
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he → surprise → days
It was inspired by Burrow, his late Leeds Rhinos team-mate and friend, who died in 2024 after living with MND for four years.
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who → inspire → years
Sir Kevin said: "I think [Prince William] champions pulling communities together, and I have seen how the MND community have come together on the back of Rob's diagnosis and several other high-profile sportspeople over the last six or seven years.
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community → say → years
"So his support and, obviously, Princess Catherine's as well, they've been wonderful and bring a real credibility to what we're trying to do."
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we → bring → what
Asked how Burrow would have felt to see him receiving a knighthood, Sir Kevin said: "I think he'd be laughing.
"
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he → ask → knighthood
I think he'd be enormously proud of the support behind a campaign that he started, and we continue in his name.
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we → think → name
"I think he'd be really proud of it, the support, and the way
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he → think → it
people got behind what we tried to do, especially Prince William and Princess Catherine, and several other high-profile figures across the UK, and the world.
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we → get → UK
"On behalf of all the MND families, Rob would just be delighted at how we've pulled together."
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we → pull → families
Sir Kevin said he would now like to plan a run in Australia and New Zealand next year, and "ensure that collaboration is taking place between nations that are working incredibly hard to try and find a cure and to look after families better".
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that → say → families
He said the reaction from the MND community to his knighthood had been "wonderful".
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reaction → say → knighthood
"I felt very fortunate to have connected with a lot of families who are going through some real challenging times, yet still continue to be at the roadside or stopping me in the street for a chat to share their story.
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who → feel → story
"So, I feel incredibly fortunate to be here today accepting this on their behalf."
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I → feel → behalf
He said he had not got used to the title "Sir Kevin" yet, adding: "I don't think I ever will.
"
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I → say → title
It's really nice, but every time I hear that, I go straight back to why we started, and it was a run for a mate, with some mates, and that will never change, what we've been doing this last six or seven years."
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we → hear → what
The double Olympic gold medal winner, who announced his retirement from the sport in late 2024, has been recognised for his services to triathlon and to charity.
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who → announce → charity
Brownlee last year called the OBE a "great privilege".
Speaking at the time about his work with the Brownlee Foundation charity, Brownlee said: "I am really proud of the role, hopefully, I've had in inspiring thousands of children to get into sport and live healthier lifestyles."
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I → call → lifestyles
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