496 Miles for MND

31 Days. 496 Miles. Thousands of Minutes. One Cause.

Three challenges. Four years. One final act.

There are moments when someone else's actions make you question your own limits.

For me, that person is Sir Kevin Sinfield.

Like millions of others, I have watched in awe as Kevin repeatedly pushed himself beyond what seemed possible to raise money and awareness for Motor Neurone Disease. His loyalty to his friend Rob Burrow, his determination, humility and refusal to give up have inspired people across the country, including me.

People often say every great story has a trilogy.

For me, this challenge feels like the final chapter of a journey that began four years ago, all in support of the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Act One began in 2022, when I took on the Ultra X Wales challenge, attempting to cover 250 kilometres in five days across and around Snowdonia. Raising money for MND, I set out with huge determination but suffered a knee injury that hampered my progress. On Day 2, I missed a checkpoint cut-off time and was disqualified from the event.

I came home disappointed, frustrated and heartbroken. I'd failed to complete the challenge, but my commitment to supporting people living with MND only grew stronger.

Act Two came in 2024.

Inspired by Kevin Sinfield and motivated by the same cause, I returned with a new challenge: 7 marathons in 7 consecutive days. Starting in Birmingham and following the Grand Union Canal before finishing at the London Marathon, it became one of the toughest physical and mental challenges I have ever undertaken.

This time, I finished what I started.

Together, we raised funds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association and helped raise awareness of a disease that continues to devastate families across the UK.

Most people would probably have left the story there.

I couldn't.

Because whilst those challenges ended, the fight against MND continues.

Act Three begins this October.

Inspired once again by Kevin's example, I'm taking on my biggest challenge yet.

1 mile on 1st October

2 miles on 2nd October

3 miles on 3rd October

...continuing all the way through the month until:

31 miles on 31st October

By the end of October, I will have covered 496 miles, the equivalent of almost 19 marathons in just 31 days.

But this challenge isn't just about me.

One of the things Kevin Sinfield has shown us is the power of people coming together behind a cause that matters. So whilst I'll be taking on the challenge in miles, I'd love others to join me by simply committing to Move for MND in October.

The idea is simple:

Move for 1 minute on 1st October

2 minutes on 2nd October

3 minutes on 3rd October

Building up to 31 minutes on 31st October.

Walk, run, cycle, swim, wheel, dance around the kitchen, take the dog out, or simply take the stairs instead of the lift. It doesn't matter how you move. What matters is that you do.

If you'd like to be part of this challenge, please consider joining the team and helping us raise awareness and funds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association. Together we can turn thousands of minutes of movement into something truly meaningful.

I'm undertaking this challenge in memory of our friend Simon New and the remarkable Rob Burrow, whose courage touched millions, and to raise awareness for everyone currently living with MND, including Ed Lound, whose family I know through cricket, former England rugby captain Lewis Moody, and the thousands of individuals and families affected by this devastating disease.

MND robs people of their mobility, independence and, ultimately, their future. It affects not only those diagnosed but also their families, friends and loved ones. Every donation helps provide support to people living with MND today whilst funding vital research to find effective treatments and, one day, a cure.

Kevin Sinfield often talks about doing "a little bit more" for those who need it.

My challenge won't come close to matching what he has achieved, but if it helps raise awareness, start conversations, encourage people to move and generate funds for this incredible cause, every mile will be worth it.

Whether you donate, join the team, share the page or simply get moving for a few minutes each day, thank you for your support.

Together, let's make every mile and every minute count.

John