A private hospital in Bury St Edmunds has pledged to support Kevin Sinfield's festive challenge.
Staff and doctors at St Edmunds Hospital, part of Circle Health Group, have committed to backing ex-rugby star Sinfield in his 'Running Home for Christmas' challenge.
The challenge, in aid of the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA), will see Sinfield visit seven regions across Great Britain and Northern Ireland, covering 50km per day in 7km blocks.
To help Sinfield reach his fundraising target of £777,777, St Edmunds Hospital, alongside colleagues at other Circle Health Group facilities across the UK, has donated £20,000.
Hospital staff will be lining the route Sinfield and his team will be taking over the seven days it will take to complete the route.
On each leg of the challenge, Sinfield will join members of the motor neurone disease community to run an extra mile leg.
On four of these legs, Circle Health Group staff will be joining to run their own mile alongside Sinfield and charity representatives.
Sinfield said: “It’s a privilege to help raise awareness and funds to support the MND community.
"I would like to thank Circle Health Group and all their staff for their support, it really makes so much difference.”
Motor neurone disease is a neurological condition that affects the nerves found in the brain and spinal cord.
The disease is progressive and there is currently no cure.
At any one time, up to 5,000 adults in the UK will be affected by the disease.
Sinfield has been fundraising for motor neurone disease awareness over the last few years in honour of Rob Burrow, his former rugby team-mate who died with the condition back in June.
David Cooper, chief people officer at Circle Health Group, said: “It’s an honour to be supporting Kevin’s fifth annual challenge.
"As a healthcare provider and proud member of the MND community, we feel it's our responsibility to do all we can to improve research into this cruel disease.
"I wish Kevin and the Circle teams the very best of luck for the challenge in December.”
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