Legend Kev set to receive Oldham’s Honorary Freeman of the Borough accolade

Oldham hero Kevin Sinfield OBE. Image courtesy of Leeds Rhinos

Saddleworth-based local rugby legend and charity fundraiser Kevin Sinfield OBE is to be formally presented with one of Oldham’s greatest-ever honours tonight (Monday).

The former Leeds Rhinos star will officially receive the title of Honorary Freeman of the Borough, the highest award a council can bestow upon a person, during an Extraordinary Council meeting in front of local councillors and close relatives.

The ceremony will take place at the Council Chamber in the Oldham Civic Centre.

The accolade will be awarded to 42-year-old Sinfield in recognition of his eminent services and inspiring achievements to the borough and its people, and follows his initial appointment by Council in March 2021.

Sinfield will be one of only 27 people to receive this rare local achievement, including former Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill, suffragist Marjory Lees and Olympic gold medallists Nicola White and Matt Walls.

Widely regarded as one of rugby league's greatest-ever kickers, former playing star Sinfield enjoyed a glorious 19-year career, which first began at local club Waterhead ARLFC.

He has since gone into coaching and is now the defence coach for England’s national rugby union side.

Aside from rugby, Sinfield has more recently captured the hearts and minds of the nation with his incredible sporting challenges to raise money for his former teammate Rob Burrow, who was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in December, 2019.

His efforts so far have involved completing seven marathons in seven days and seven ultra-marathons within a week, which have raised millions of pounds for charity.

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