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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Chester Zoo named UK’s best zoo for second year running after more than 11,000 ‘excellent’ ratings
Emily Sergeant
Chester Zoo has been named to best zoo in the UK for 2025.
While everyone in and around Greater Manchester and the North West may already be familiar with just how brilliant the UK’s biggest charity zoo is, you may remember that last year it was officially named the UK’s best zoo thanks to tens of thousands of positive TripAdvisor reviews… and now, the zoo has managed to retain that respectable title.
The world’s biggest travel guidance platform has, once again, named Chester Zoo as the best-rated zoo to visit in the UK this year.
This is the second year running that the zoo has got more than 11,000 ‘excellent’ ratings.
Chester Zoo has been named the best zoo in the UK for 2025 / Credit: Chester Zoo
Based on millions of online reviews, the updated ranking puts the beloved Cheshire-based attraction ahead of the country’s other zoos after earning consistently good feedback from its visitors.
Not only has the zoo’s strong focus on conservation and unforgettable visitor experiences made it the best in our country, but this has also earned it a place among Europe’s elite too – with the new listings placing it as the third best zoo or aquarium in the continent.
“We’re absolutely delighted to be named the UK’s top zoo,” commented Jamie Christon, who is the CEO of Chester Zoo.
“This recognition, based on thousands upon thousands of genuine visitor reviews, is a huge testament to our incredible team and everything they do to make Chester Zoo such a special place.
Guess who’s just been named the BEST zoo in the UK? 🎉⁰Hint: It’s us… but we couldn’t have done it without you! Your incredible Tripadvisor reviews made this possible 🙌
Even more exciting? We’ve climbed the ranks to become #3 in all of Europe, up from 8th last year 🌍👏… pic.twitter.com/ARJfwomIFL
“Every visit helps support our vital conservation work, both here in the UK and around the world.
“As a charity and a national conservation zoo, it means the world to know our efforts are being so warmly received by our guests. It’s people coming through our gates who enable us to do what we do – lead the charge to save wildlife, protect and restore habitats and safeguard ecosystems.
“Together, we’re securing the long-term future of some of the world’s most endangered species.”
Chester Zoo’s renewed title comes after it opened the UK’s largest-ever zoo habitat, Heart of Africa, which is home 57 iconic African species, earlier this month.
It also comes ahead of the unveiling of another exciting new development at the zoo this summer – The Reserve, which Chester Zoo is calling its answer to a ‘premium safari getaway’ right here in the UK, with 51 luxury African-themed lodges offering guests the chance to stay overnight and support conservation for the very first time.
Featured Image – Chester Zoo
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Bolton grooming gang ringleader who ‘preyed upon young teenage girls’ jailed
Emily Sergeant
The main offender of a group of sexual predators who preyed upon young teenage girls in Bolton has been jailed.
Ashley Darbyshire appeared at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday (Monday 28 April) was found guilty of grooming, raping, and sexually assaulting underage girls in the Blackrod area of Bolton between 2016 and 2018.
He was convicted of three counts of rape, 12 counts of sexual activity with a child, three counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and one count of making indecent photographs of a child.
Darbyshire was sentenced alongside three other men who were part of the group, with the remaining set to be sentenced today (29 April).
#SENTENCED | Three men part of Blackrod grooming gang have been sentenced today 28/04/25 for sexual offences against girls under 16.
Ashley Darbyshire (01/01/1997), of Bolton, was sentenced to 15 years, at Liverpool Crown Court.
According to Greater Manchester Police (GMP), the offences began in 2016 when the primary offender, Darbyshire – who was 19 at the time – first came into contact with the primary victim, a girl aged 13, and then went on to introduce her to nine of his friends, who each ‘used and abused her at their disposal’ on numerous occasions into 2018.
The men – who were all aged from between 17 and 29 at the time when the offences began – also approached the other victims, all girls under the age of 16, via private messaging and social media platforms, and got to know them from where many local teenagers would hang out and socialise near the community centre.
The men plied some of the victims with alcohol and drugs, GMP explained, while some of them would send indecent images of their private body parts to the girls, as well as initiate sexual conversations with them on messaging platforms.
The other two grooming gang members sentenced on the same day as Darbyshire / Credit: GMP
The offences eventually came to light after an incident involving one of the victims and another defendant on Sunday 17 June 2018, after which the police were notified, and an investigation was subsequently launched.
The group of men were all convicted of a range of sexual offences, with over 30 convictions between them.
Darbyshire has been sentenced to 15 years in prison, and is set to serve 10 years in custody, as well as being placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.
On the same day as Darbyshire’s sentencing, another man from the group, Ross Corley, was convicted of two counts of sexual activity with a child and sentenced to 28 months in prison, and another unnamed man was convicted of two counts of sexual activity with a child under 16, and was sentenced to 15 months, suspended for two years.
According to GMP, many of the men ‘showed no remorse’ for their actions in court when sentenced.
Danny Jones -
24th May 2023 
