Kevin Sinfield runs across the North East as part of '7 in 7' Motor Neurone Disease challenge

Rugby league legend Kevin Sinfield continued his "7 in 7" ultra-marathon challenge running across the North East on Tuesday.

The retired professional - who has become a prolific fundraiser for charities working on treatment for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) since his friend and former teammate Rob Burrow was diagnosed with the debilitating condition - passed by Newcastle Airport en route to Chester-le-Street.

Kevin's latest fundraising challenge saw him leave Murrayfield in Edinburgh on Sunday as part of a bid to run around 40 miles for seven consecutive days and raise £777,777 for five MND charities. He has passed through our region - and visited St James' Park After spending the night in Otterburn.

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He told BBC Radio Newcastle on Tuesday morning that it was "really important that we continue to bang the drum". He added: "There's not a cure for this disease. There's not been a drug developed in the last 32 years to slow it down and there's not been enough support and funding for it."

Part of the reason he is passing through Newcastle is a nod to former Newcastle Falcon and Scotland rugby union star Doddie Weir - who also suffers from MND. Some of the money raised will support the My Name'5 Doddie charity, too.

Kevin Sinfield alongside Steve Cram OBE at Otterburn Castle on day two of the Ultra 7 in 7 Challenge (PA)

On Monday as he arrived in Otterburn he was joined by running legend Steve Cram for the final stages of the his second leg of the challenge - which had begun in Melrose in the Scottish Borders. The money raised will mainly benefit the MND Association and Leeds Hospitals Charity’s appeal to build the Rob Burrow Centre for MND in Leeds.

There will also be donations to MND Scotland, My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation and the 4ED campaign, in support of former Gloucester and Leicester rugby player Ed Slater, who was recently diagnosed with the disease.

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