KICK OFF! - Sam Thompson kicks off mammoth 260-mile endurance challenge for UNICEF

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KICK OFF! - Sam Thompson kicks off mammoth 260-mile endurance challenge for UNICEF

Download video & photos – Sam’s Match Ball Mission photos & footage    

TV, radio and podcast host Sam Thompson has crossed the start line for the toughest challenge of his life today – taking the Soccer Aid for UNICEF match ball on foot and by bike from Stamford Bridge to Old Trafford 

  • Sam took the first steps of his gruelling ‘Match Ball Mission’ for Soccer Aid for UNICEF challenge today as he aims to run and cycle 49 miles from West London to Milton Keynes on day one  
  • Sam was joined on the start line by his good friend and I’m A Celebrity…Unpacked co-host Joel Dommett, as well as his family in sister Louise Thompson, Ryan Libbey and nephew Leo 
  • His nationwide challenge will see him tackle five punishing back-to-back endurance days – running five marathons and peddling over 130 miles by bike – each day more intense than the last  
  • Sam has four more challenging days to go as he heads north towards the final whistle in Old Trafford, Manchester on Friday 6 June 
  • The mammoth mission will be captured for a one-off special documentary: Sam Thompson’s Match Ball Mission Friday 13th June 9pm on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player 
  • Sam is putting his physical and mental strength to the test to raise vital funds to support UNICEF’s work for children around the world to grow up safe, healthy and able to play 
  • This year, thanks to the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, every donation made to Soccer Aid for UNICEF will be doubled – up to £5 million. 
  • To donate visit socceraid.org.uk/challenge 

Monday 2nd June, 8:30: TV, radio and podcast host Sam Thompson set off on the toughest challenge of his life this morning: to take the Soccer Aid for UNICEF match ball more than 260 exhausting miles from last year’s stadium, Stamford Bridge in London, to the home of this year’s charity match, Old Trafford in Manchester, all to raise vital funds to support UNICEF’s work for children around the world. 

Joined at the start line by friend and I’m A Celebrity…Unpacked co-host Joel Dommett, his sister Louise Thompson and her partner Ryan Libbey, Sam waved his supporters goodbye as he nervously left Stamford Bridge on the first leg of his extraordinary Soccer Aid for UNICEF mission.   

Today’s first marathon will see the 32-year-old run 26 miles towards Hemel Hempstead where he will switch to two wheels and cycle a leg-trembling 23 miles further to the first finish line at Stadium MK in Milton Keynes tonight.   

Speaking at the start line, Sam, who made his debut playing for England at Soccer Aid for UNICEF last year, said: “I had no sleep last night, I’m absolutely terrified but I know I just need to keep my head in the game and remember why I’m doing this. It’s all for UNICEF and to raise as much money as possible so I’m going to dig deep and get on with it and look forward to a hot shower at the end.” 

Louise said: “Sam’s such a happy, entertaining person, I’ve never seen him do something that will require so much resilience and endurance. I’m so proud of him, he’s put so much work in and it’s all for an incredible cause and will help so many children. I’m waving him off at the beginning and I’ll be seeing him at the end, that’s all the support he needs from me.” 

Today’s challenging 49-mile route is just the first day of the ultimate test of endurance for Sam as he spends the week crossing counties, cities, rivers and roads. Every mile, on foot and by bike, Sam is hoping to raise as much money as possible to support UNICEF’s work for children to grow up safe, healthy and able to play. 

Supporters can follow Sam’s journey live on ITV’s This Morning and Hits Radio each day as he shares his determination and battles on the road to get to the finish line on Friday 6 June. The mammoth mission will be captured for a one-off special documentary on ITV1: Sam Thompson’s Match Ball Mission, airing in the lead up to Soccer Aid for UNICEF, produced by Initial TV (a Banijay UK company). 

Soccer Aid 2025 for UNICEF, kicks-off on Sunday, June 15, 2025 at Old Trafford, Manchester, and will be broadcast live on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player. 

For the full route and information on how to donate to UNICEF and Sam’s Match Ball Mission for Soccer Aid, visit socceraid.org.uk/challenge 

 ENDS 

For more information or interview requests, please contact: [email protected], or call + 44 (0)207 375 6030 

Notes to Editors 

Sam Thompson’s Match Ball Mission for Soccer Aid – Challenge route: 

Day 1: Stamford Bridge to Stadium MK 

Day 2: Stadium MK to Villa Park 

Day 3: Villa Park to Vale Park  

Day 4: Vale Park to Goodison Park  

Day 5: Goodison Park to Old Trafford 

This Soccer Aid for UNICEF campaign, every donation received will also be doubled – up to £5 million – thanks to the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), which 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. 

Supporting Sam on the road during his challenge is partner Suzuki, who will be providing vehicles to transport equipment and Sam’s support teams.  

Sam will also be returning to play in this year’s Soccer Aid for UNICEF match, which will be broadcast on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player on Sunday 15th June.  

Extra information: 

Sam has been inspired to go the distance and raise as much money for children as he can, following his recent trip to Guatemala to see UNICEF’s work and the vital difference funds raised can make helping children grow up safe, healthy and able to play.   

Sam visited the Juego Limpio ‘Fair Play’ football programme in Sololá, Guatemala where UNICEF-trained volunteers work with children aged five to 16, many of whom live in poverty and have little access to quality sports facilities, providing them with a safe space to play and using the power of sport to promote values ​​such as respect, equality, and teamwork. 

 Soccer Aid for UNICEF 

  • Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2025 will take place on Sunday 15th June at Old Trafford, Manchester and will be shown live exclusively on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player 
  • Since 2006, Soccer Aid for UNICEF has raised over £106 million, all supporting UNICEF’s vital work around the world working with families, communities and partners so that children can 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 Sam Thompson’s Match Ball Mission – 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 works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, UNICEF work 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 protects 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 13 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), 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 philanthropic organisation that partners with governments, communities and institutions to create systemic, locally owned change and, in turn, a world where all children can flourish.  CIFF has over $3 billion actively invested in projects and people who are accelerating solutions to the world’s interlinking problems, focusing on: tackling climate change, improving health and nutrition, and promoting equity and choice for women and girls.  For more information, please visit www.ciff.org