Kevin Sinfield and Rob Burrow continue to inspire millions around the country and in the latest recognition of their motor neurone disease (MND) campaigning, the Leeds Rhinos legends were surprised with a truly beautiful piece of artwork in honour of their friendship.
On 14 May, the rugby legends left Brits weeping as they completed the inaugural Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, with Sinfield pushing his best mate for 26.2 miles before carrying him over the finish line in his arms and planting a kiss on his cheek — one of the most emotional moments of the year.
The heartwarming sight captured the imagination and the entire country and, as it turns out, that of artist Charlie Mackesy who wanted to pay tribute not only to Sinfield for his incredible fundraising achievements but his truly special and inspiring friendship with Rob Burrow too.
Depicting the now iconic image of the Rhinos teammates and MND champions crossing the finish line, Oscar-winning artist, illustrator and children’s author — arguably best known for his short film, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse — Sinfield was presented with the surprise painting on BBC Breakfast.
Kevin Sinfield being surprised with the stirring piece of artwork.
The Oldham lad was visibly moved by the gesture, stating that he was “blown away with the picture created by the artist Charlie Mackesy” and it’s not hard to see why — so is everyone else.
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Sinfield has gone on to become not just a sporting icon but a national hero, raising over £4 million for MND research from the marathon alone and well over £7 million in total since his charity work began back in 2019 when Rob was diagnosed.
Appearing on the show after completing the Leeds Marathon named in his friend’s honour, Sinfield made sure to direct all the credit elsewhere, stating that “the Burrow family are a real inspiration for everybody”, adding that Rob’s wife “Lindsey has shown everyone what real love is.”
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Speaking of the Burrows, they were also sent the artwork showing their dad being carried across the line by de facto family member, Kev, receiving several signed copies from artist Mackesy. Reacting to the surprise package, they simply said: “It’s very special because it’s a moment we’ll never forget”.
'It is the best picture I have ever seen'
Rugby League legend Rob Burrow and his family spoke to #BBCBreakfast about their delight that Oscar winner Charlie Mackesy is raising funds for MND with his picture of Rob and his friend Kevin Sinfieldhttps://t.co/Zy5V86QBoxpic.twitter.com/XxNekRwPfO
Lindsey and Rob Burrow’s kids were bowled over by the painting.
Sinfield has since written a book chronicling the remarkable journey he and Burrow have been on in an effort to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) over the past few years entitled, Kevin Sinfield: Going The Extra Mile.
Moreover, the accompanying documentary of the same name that ran alongside writing the book and aired back in February is also nominated for a National Television Award (NTA), as is Rob Burrow’s Living With MND film.
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However, it’s no surprise that Sinfield urged viewers to “please vote for Rob, everybody. Their story is incredible certainly across the UK but worldwide; they’ve shown everybody what living is and I think Lindsey has shown everyone what real love looks like”. We can’t stress how much these lot make us cry.
As for the painting itself, you can buy prints of it on Charlie Mackesy’s website HERE, with proceeds going to the MDNA. In fact, more than 16,000 copies have already been sold with over £30,000 raised for the cause in just 12 hours. Truly incredible stuff.
'Please vote for Rob'
'Rob Burrow: Living With MND' and 'Kevin Sinfield: Going The Extra Mile' are nominated for the National Television Awards.
Kevin Sinfield has told #BBCBreakfast he wants his friend to win
Featured Image — Jon Kay (via Twitter)/Leeds Rhinos (via Instagram)/Charlie Mackesy (via Twitter)
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The 2027 World Climbing Series is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
In yet more huge sporting news for Greater Manchester, the 2027 World Climbing Series is coming to 0161 later this year.
We’ve had plenty of big peaks of late, but things seem to just keep going up and up.
Set to host the global event for the first time in our history, Manchester will welcome the World Climbing Series (WCS), which is set to include both Olympic and Paralympic disciplines ahead of the next Summer Games in 2028.
2027 will mark the 38th edition of the series, which will also be one of only a handful to be held in the North – it’s just down to our city to make it the best.
Officially announced on Friday, 16 January, the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) confirmed the return to the UK.
Founded back in 1989, the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) is coming up on four decades since the competition first began – Leeds being chosen as the inaugural hosts – the event has come a long way since then.
The IFSC’s rebranding of the annual bouldering, lead and speed trials to the modern WSC, which began last year, was initially revealed back in 2023.
Welcoming continental talent right down to the youth level, the upcoming 2026 World Climbing Series is taking place in the summer and will be hosted by the city of Innsbruck in Austria.
As for the WSC’s Manchester debut, which is being organised in collaboration with the City Council, Manchester Accommodation BID, MCR Active and the National Lottery via UK Sport investment.
It’s not the only big sporting celebration that the Council will be supporting in 2027.
Paul Ratcliffe, CEO of the British Mountaineering Council, said in an official statement: “It’s exciting to be able to confirm that a World Series climbing event will return to the UK in 2027 as part of the BMC’s major event programme.
“Hosting a competition of this scale in Manchester is a strong statement about the UK’s place on the international climbing stage and a great opportunity for our athletes, fans, the climbing community and the wider public to experience the sport at the very highest level.
“Our ‘Route to Adventure’ strategy sets out how we will build on moments like this to support people into climbing and help them progress, whatever their starting point. Using major events to inspire participation, strengthen pathways and reinforce our commitment to inclusion is central to our long-term approach.”
Scheduled to take place in June, you can find out more information about the 2027 World Climbing Series in Manchester by signing up for the official event mailing list HERE.
The Tour de France is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
It’s official: both the male and female Tour de France are coming to Greater Manchester and nine other destinations across the UK in 2027.
As one of the biggest locations on the list, it’s another big sporting landmark for us Mancs.
Confirmed on Thursday, 15 January, the men’s race and the Tour de France Femmes (TdFF) will be passing through our region next summer.
Revealing the news in an exciting announcement video on social media, you can see the other cities and towns that the world-famous endurance event will be hitting here:
With Greater Manchester boasting not only the National Cycling Centre, but having already hosted the Tour of Britain – which has passed through Altrincham on multiple ocassions – we’re well-versed when it comes to the sport.
It’s been more than a decade since the Tour de France last took place in the UK, with London and Yorkshire hosting three stages of the biggest date on the annual cycling calendar back in 2014.
Fast forward a dozen years, and not only will they both be participating again, but Great Britain will see dual Grand Départs for men and women for the very first time.
Not only are we buzzing that the racing will be returning to our friends in Leeds and Sheffield, but also nice to see other Northern regions lending their roads and stunning landscapes, such as the Lake District and wider parts of Cumbria.
You can see the full route map broken down below.
🇬🇧 Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield, London 🇬🇧
💛 Grand Départ Great Britain 2027: in the footsteps of the pioneers!
— Le Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift (@LeTourFemmes) January 15, 2026
Speaking in an official press release, race director Christian Prudhomme said: “The UK has always welcomed the Tour with passion and pride, and the route details we are revealing today reflect the beauty and diversity of Britain’s terrain.”
“Bringing both Grand Départs here is a testament to the strength of our partnership with British Cycling and the enthusiasm of the UK.”
TdFF counterpart, Marion Rousse, added: “The UK has played an important role in the history of women’s cycling, with champions such as Lizzie Deignan.
“Starting the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift in Leeds is a strong choice, closely linked to this heritage and to the enthusiasm of a public that knows and loves the Tour. These stages clearly reflect the race’s ambition: to continue growing women’s cycling and to inspire future generations.”
Danny Jones -
24th May 2023 
