Rugby league legend Kevin Sinfield completed his Ultra 7 in 7 Challenge on Saturday and Oldhamers lined the streets as he made his way through the borough.

The Oldham-born OBE winner reached Old Trafford at half-time of the men’s Rugby League World Cup final between Australia and Samoa and received a very warm reception from the fans in attendance.

Sinfield, 42, completed his seven back-to-back "ultra" marathons,  around 40 miles a day, to raise money in aid of motor neurone disease (MND), inspired by his former Leeds Rhino teammate and close friend Rob Burrow, who was diagnosed with the condition in late 2019.

The last day of Sinfield's gruelling challenge saw him travel from Bradford to Old Trafford via Oldham, going through places such as Denshaw, Grains Bar, Moorside, Oldham town centre, Hollinwood and Failsworth.

Residents lined the streets to cheer and applaud Sinfield and his companions on as he made his way through the borough he grew up in.

Those who stood to see Sinfield described him as a "machine" and praised his efforts to raise money.

The initial fundraising target of £777,777 he set has been smashed, with the total outcome already exceeding £1.4m.

The proceeds will mainly benefit the MND Association and Leeds Hospitals Charity’s appeal to build the Rob Burrow Centre for MND in Leeds.

Speaking at Old Trafford after completing the final marathon, Sinfield said: "The full rugby league community have got behind the MND community. I can’t thank you enough.

"It’s all about friendship and the love for Rob. I know everybody feels the same way I do about Rob Burrow. If we can all try to be a better friend from time to time, we can all have a bit of a better place to live in.

"It’s a just a massive thank you. We’ve met some incredible people. It shows our country cares. I can’t thank people enough. They’ve given their support and voted with their money as well."

Sinfield and his companions began the challenge at Murrayfield stadium in Edinburgh on Sunday, November 13 as they spent the week moving down through Scotland, the north of England and Yorkshire before the final leg into Greater Manchester.

Some of Sinfield's other fundraising efforts include raising £2.7m for MND charities after running seven marathons in seven days in 2020 and running 101 miles in 24 hours last year, which saw him raise over £1m.