DAY THREE DONE AND DUSTED Olly Murs says he’s putting his “body on the line” as he completes day three of brutal challenge for Soccer Aid for UNICEF
Multi-platinum singer and Heart presenter, Olly Murs has completed day three of his 400km challenge to mark Soccer Aid for UNICEF’s 20th Anniversary, despite having to have his toenail removed and rerouting to avoid a fire. Across Monday to Friday this week, Olly is running, rowing and riding his bike from Manchester’s Old Trafford to London Stadium with no clue what the route will throw his way each day. He’s already raised over £260,000.
- Crossing the finish line in Northamptonshire at nearly midnight tonight – just an hour before he turns 42 – to a crowd of people singing him an early ‘happy birthday’, Olly Murs has completed three of his five relentless days tackling some of the UK’s most demanding terrain, running, riding and rowing his way from Manchester’s Old Trafford, where Soccer Aid first kicked off two decades ago, to London Stadium, home of this year’s landmark match – but minus a toenail!
- Heart’s Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden revealed that today would be Olly’s longest day as he made his way from Cannock Chase to Nether Heyford, finishing in the dark.
- This Morning’s Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley checked in on Olly as he was joined by Jake Quickenden for a punishing run. Later, last year’s Soccer Aid for UNICEF Challenger, Sam Thompson, called to provide some moral support and fellow Heart presenter, Emma Bunton, shared a message of support too.
- The day was full of torrential rain and even an unexpected reroute to avoid a local fire.
- For more information and to donate to Olly’s challenge visit www.socceraid.org.uk/challenge
Wednesday 13 May: Tonight, multi-platinum singer and Heart presenter, Olly Murs, completed day three of the toughest challenge of his life as he takes on a gruelling 400km Soccer Aid for UNICEF challenge which has raised over £260,000 so far.
With his route for the day only being revealed live on Heart this morning, Olly had to have his toenail removed before he set off on foot from the wild heathland of Cannock Chase.
He then tackled the biggest ride of the whole challenge – over 100km through the centre of Lichfield, along an ancient Roman road and via a tough climb through Nuneaton. Just past Rugby, Olly ran in the dark to Nether Heyford to a crowd of supporters singing him an early ‘happy birthday’ in what was his latest finish.
The day was full of torrential rain and even an unexpected reroute to avoid a local fire but fellow Heart presenter, Emma Bunton, shared a good luck message to spur Olly on and last year’s Soccer Aid for UNICEF Challenger, Sam Thompson, called to share some moral support saying: “I just want you to know how much I flipping respect you. I mean that from the bottom of my soul. I know what it’s like to put yourself – at 42! – in a position where you’ve had knee operations and you’re doing it all, I am in awe.”
Speaking at the finish line, Olly broke down as he said: “I put a brave face on it today. I felt like I needed to really. I needed to kind of hit it, I needed to kind of tackle it full on and there were times that I was really struggling but, you know, all the people that have come along today, I really appreciate it. It means a lot. I feel bad I didn’t get a chance to see everyone and thank them personally but it really means a lot. I’m putting my body out there on the line and the donations really help so thank you.”
Jake Quickenden, who joined Olly for a run live on This Morning, said: “That was actually very tough. My legs are burning. It was all uphill. The weather was absolutely horrendous.”
He shared how he thinks Olly is coping: “What Olly likes to do, I think, is he puts a smile on and pretends he’s alright but deep down he’s in the trenches. His shins are hurting him. His knees are hurting him. Hats off. The guy’s doing amazing. What he’s doing for children all over the world. It’s going to help so many people. You can see he just wants to get as many donations in for these kids. It means the world to him. You can really feel that when you’re talking to him. Please donate – even a quid – it goes a long way so please get your donations in because this is no small feat. It’s 400km. He’s not even halfway through it yet! His body’s breaking down and he’s struggling so those donations and finding out how much he’s raised is really going to drive him on.”
All week Olly is tackling some of the UK’s toughest terrain as he runs, rows and rides his way from Manchester’s Old Trafford stadium, where Soccer Aid first kicked-off 20 years ago, to London Stadium, home of this year’s landmark match. However, he is being told next to nothing about the direction that he will take and will only discover the day’s route moments before he sets off. It means he has no clue when he’ll be scaling the steepest peaks, biking the most brutal uphill climbs or facing his long-held fear of deep water, until he’s standing on the start line each day.
With seven caps under his belt, Olly first laced up his boots for Soccer Aid for UNICEF back in 2010. Now over 40, a veteran of the game, and with a knee injury to endure, he’s entering unchartered territory with the uncertainty of what lies ahead, combined with the unforgiving landscape, that will push Olly to his limit. He’ll need every ounce of stamina he can muster and all the support he can get to reach the finish.
As a new dad himself, Olly has been inspired to take on the unknown and raise as much money as he can for children around the world, following his recent trip to Romania to see UNICEF’s work and the vital difference funds can make to ensure children grow up safe, healthy and able to play. Olly visited the Pipera Primo Hub in northern Bucharest, a play, learning and parenting project set up in partnership with UNICEF in Romania. The Primo Hub supports Ukrainian children, who have been displaced by conflict, and Romanian children, providing them with access to quality education services, therapeutic music and creative sessions, so they continue to learn, play and thrive. The Primo Hub also delivers sessions developing the parenting skills of community members, as well as strengthening and expanding the competencies of educators.
Across the week, audiences can follow Olly’s journey live on ITV’s This Morning and on Heart as he shares daily updates from cross-country terrain, relentless roads and daunting stretches of open water ways.
The epic challenge will also be captured for a one-off special documentary, ‘Olly Murs: Steps Into The Unknown’, on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player as viewers can watch every moment from Olly’s epic challenge on Friday 29 May at 9pm, produced by Initial TV (a Banijay UK company).
The documentary forms part of a special week of Soccer Aid for UNICEF programming from Saturday 23rd May to Sunday 31st May, including the brand new documentary, Soccer Aid: More Than Just A Game, which takes a special look back at the illustrious legacy of Soccer Aid for UNICEF as the match celebrates a milestone 20 years.
The Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) has committed to double every donation received up to £6 million, for this Soccer Aid for UNICEF campaign. CIFF’s matched funding will go directly towards the Child Nutrition Fund, tackling challenges such as severe forms of malnutrition and anaemia and helping children to get the nutrition they need to grow up healthy and able to play.
Olly will also be returning to play in this year’s Soccer Aid for UNICEF match, as a veteran of the game having first taken part in 2010. The match will air live and exclusively on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player on Sunday 31st May.
To follow along, find out more and donate to UNICEF and Olly Murs: Into The Unknown for Soccer Aid now, visit www.socceraid.org.uk/challenge
ENDS
For more information or interview requests, please contact:
UNICEF UK Media team at [email protected] or 0208 375 6030
NOTES TO EDITORS
Olly Murs: Into The Unknown for Soccer Aid – challenge route:
Olly will start his challenge at Old Trafford and finish at London Stadium with the route being revealed each morning.
SOCCER AID FOR UNICEF
Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2026 will take place on Sunday 31 May at the London Stadium and will be broadcast live exclusively on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player.
Over the last 20 years, Soccer Aid for UNICEF has united millions of people and raised over £121 million to support UNICEF’s vital work helping children grow up safe, healthy and able to play.
Right now, children around the world are facing devastating crises – from global aid cuts, war and climate change to hunger and disease – threatening their childhoods and their right to play.
The money raised from this year’s campaign could help UNICEF provide life-changing support for a child, like clean water and nutrition, vital vaccinations, or the opportunity to learn, so every child can get the best start in life.
Donations are open for Olly Murs: Into the Unknown – for more information and to donate, visit socceraid.org.uk/challenge
Soccer Aid for UNICEF does not endorse any company, brand, product or service
SOCCER AID FOR UNICEF PARTNERS
Soccer Aid Productions Limited
The multi-stakeholder project of Soccer Aid for UNICEF is run by Soccer Aid Productions, a collaboration between UNICEF UK and Triple S Events which is part of the Triple S Sports & Entertainment Group.
UNICEF UK
UNICEF partners with communities, organisations, local and national governments to improve children’s lives. Across more than 190 countries and territories, UNICEF works for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. The UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) raises funds for UNICEF’s emergency and development work for children. It also promotes and protect children’s rights in the UK and internationally. It is a UK charity, entirely funded by supporters.
ITV Social Purpose
ITV’s Social Purpose is about using the power of ITV to shape culture for good, through using creativity and scale to inspire positive change in the world, and to nurture a responsible and inclusive working environment. ITV’s social purpose encompasses four priorities – better health, diversity and inclusion, climate action and giving back, all with their own measurable goals. For more information go to itvplc.com/socialpurpose
Initial
Initial, part of Banijay UK, has been the producer of all 14 Soccer Aid shows since its inception in 2006. Experienced in making premium entertainment and ambitious reality programmes, credits include hit shows such as Celebrity Big Brother (ITV), Big Brother (ITV), Last One Laughing (Prime Video), 99 To Beat (ITV & Fox), Total Wipeout and Tenable.
Triple S Sports & Entertainment Group
The Triple S Sports & Entertainment Group is a full-service sports and entertainment group operating in multiple industry sectors and countries. As a long-standing and expert agency with highly experienced personnel, it offers a range of services, including: talent management, event management, commercial rights exploitation, financial & legal advice, PR consultancy, social media & digital production, contract, transfer & negotiation management and crisis management services. The Group represents some of the highest-profile sporting professionals in the UK, as well as renowned personalities in the entertainment industry. Triple S has also been responsible for some of the biggest sports entertainment TV events in the UK.
About Children’s Investment Fund Foundation
The Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) is an independent philanthropy that works with a range of partners including governments, NGOs and multilateral institutions to create large-scale change which is locally owned to help build a world where all children can flourish. CIFF has over $4 billion actively invested in programmes in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on: tackling climate change, improving health and nutrition, and promoting opportunities and choice for women and girls. For more information, please visit www.ciff.org
ITV’s This Morning & Heart
Watch This Morning weekdays from 10am on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player and listen to Heart via the Global Player app, the official Heart app, at heart.co.uk, on smart speakers or DAB digital radio.
The event will be supported by Soccer Aid for UNICEF partners Adidas, Norqain and Chery.