A Basingstoke hospital has pledged its support for a rugby star taking on a mammoth run for the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA).

Staff and doctors at The Hampshire Clinic, part of Circle Health Group, are backing Kevin Sinfield CBE in his Running Home for Christmas challenge.

The ambitious feat will see Kevin visit seven regions across Great Britain and Northern Ireland, covering 50km per day in 7km blocks.

The Hampshire Clinic, alongside colleagues at other Circle Health Group facilities across the UK, has donated £20,000 to help Sinfield reach his fundraising target of £777,777.

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Rugby League legend and England rugby coach Kevin Sinfield is taking on an ultra marathon challenge (Image: Darren Griffiths/Huw Evans Agency) Hospital staff will line the route Kevin and his team will take over the seven days it will take to complete the challenge. 

On each leg of the challenge, Kevin will join members of the MND 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 Kevin and charity representatives.

Motor neurone disease is a neurological disease that impacts the nerves found in the brain and spinal cord.

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Tragically, 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.

Statistically, those more than 50 are most at risk and there is a one in 300 risk of developing the condition in your lifetime.

In 2023, Circle Health Group, with the support of The Hampshire Clinic, raised more than £67,000 to support the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Each year as an organisation, Circle Health Group’s 10,000-strong staff vote on a charity they wish to support with local and national fundraising activities organised in support of the cause.

Since the scheme was introduced in 2021, more than £200,000 has been raised for good causes.

Kevin 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."

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."