Andy Burnham has joined the growing calls to get Kevin Sinfield knighted.
Sinfield has now raised over £1.5 million from his latest epic challenge - a 101-mile run from Leicester to Leeds.
His latest heroics have seen him earn worldwide acclaim - with many saying he is now worthy of a knighthood.
He received an OBE in June but the Mayor of Manchester has called on those in power to go one further and make Sinfield a sir.
Addressing Sinfield, Burnham started by saying: "What you've done for Rob, but for anybody affected by motor neurone disease, you've given people hope and you've shown that friendship really means something deep and personal.
"That is priceless. But to the powers that be in this country I would say isn't it about time that this great sport of rugby league, the bonds that it builds between the people who play the game, isn't about time it was recognised? I think it is. I know a lot of people want to see that and hear those immortal words, arise Sir Kevin."
