MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: Olly Murs completes brutal 400km endurance challenge for Soccer Aid for UNICEF
Multi-platinum singer and Heart presenter, Olly Murs has completed his 400km challenge and raised an incredible £832,257 so far to mark Soccer Aid for UNICEF’s 20th Anniversary. Across Monday to Friday this week, he ran, rowed and cycled his bike from Manchester’s Old Trafford to London Stadium with no clue what the route would be each day…
- After starting at 5am this morning, Olly Murs has finally completed his five relentless days tackling some of the UK’s most demanding terrain from Manchester’s Old Trafford, where Soccer Aid first kicked off two decades ago, to London Stadium, home of this year’s landmark match.
- Heart’s Lyndsey revealed that Olly would spend his final day cycling from St Albans to London’s West End before running into London Stadium at the capital’s Olympic Park to a roaring crowd.
- This Morning’s Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary cheered on LIVE from the studio as an emotional Olly passed the finish line before being met by wife Amelia, Mum, Dad and friends.
- For more information and to donate to Olly’s challenge visit socceraid.org.uk/challenge
Friday 15 May: Today, multi-platinum singer and Heart presenter, Olly Murs, completed the toughest challenge of his life as he crossed the finish line at London Stadium having cycled, rowed and run a gruelling 400km from Old Trafford in an epic Soccer Aid for UNICEF challenge.
With his route for the day being revealed live on Heart at 0500 this morning, Olly set off at the break of dawn from St Albans, travelling through Barnet and Hampstead before heading to London’s West End. With his trainers at the ready he hot-footed it past Trafalgar Square, along the Thames, past the Tower of London and into London Stadium at the capital’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, finishing live on This Morning where he learnt he’d raised an incredible £832,257 so far.
Speaking from the finish line, an emotional Olly said: “Done. Finito, finished. Oh, my God. It’s been a painful week, but I’ve enjoyed pushing my body to the limit each day.
“I’ve had highs and lows, I’ve laughed and cried, a lot, but it’s all helped me get through.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone for donating. For every single person that’s given a little bit towards Soccer Aid for UNICEF, it’s going to make a huge difference.
“I have seen the benefits of what UNICEF has done over the years, and it really does have a huge impact. I’m a dad myself and all I want to do is keep my kids safe and protected and knowing this money will help give kids that opportunity is amazing.”
It was the last of five punishing days that saw Olly tackle some of the UK’s toughest terrain as he ran, rowed and cycled 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 was told next to nothing about the direction that he would take and only discovered each day’s route moments before he set off. It meant he had no clue when he’d be scaling the steepest peaks, biking the most brutal uphill climbs or facing his long-held fear of deep water, until he was standing on the start line each day.
Philip Goodwin, Chief Executive of UNICEF UK, said: “What an incredible achievement! We could not be prouder of what Olly Murs has done for Soccer Aid for UNICEF this week. It’s been incredibly tough and relentless, but the money he’s raised will make a huge difference.
“It will go towards our life-changing work for children around the world, including providing vital vaccinations, clean water and nutrition so every child gets the best start in life.”
Each day has been different for Olly:
- Day one (Monday), saw Olly leave Old Trafford, heading south through Manchester and Stockport on his bike, before ditching his two wheels at Glossop. What followed was a very steep stretch – a lung-busting run across the Kinder Scout plateau, tackling the Peak District’s highest point via the ancient Doctor’s Gate path before finishing at the Pennine Way in what was his steepest day.
- On day two (Tuesday), Olly took on the second, and most relentless day, as he ran, rowed and cycled his way across 110km of Derbyshire’s Peak District. First, he pedalled through the stunning Hope Valley before facing a mighty climb from Wye Dale over to the Tissington Trail. On foot, he then descended off-road into Ashbourne before completing a punishing row along the Trent and Mersey Canal.
- On day three (Wednesday), Olly headed into the longest day of his five-day feat, starting in a Staffordshire forest and ending in Northamptonshire past nightfall. He began by running through the wild heathland of Cannock Chase before tackling 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 in what made for a very late finish.
- On day four (Thursday), Olly faced his toughest birthday yet as he marked another year around the sun by rowing along the Grand Union Canal before cycling through Milton Keynes, Dunstable and into Redbourn. After rowing and riding, he secured the hat-trick by running through Hertfordshire along the River Ver, finishing the day’s stretch past St Albans Cathedral.
- On day five (today, Friday), the end was finally in sight for Olly as he got back in the saddle, making his way from St Albans through Barnet and Hampstead before heading to London’s West End. With his trainers at the ready he hot footed it past Trafalgar Square, along the Thames, past the Tower of London and onto Olympic Park to cheering crowds.
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 was 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 followed Olly’s journey live on ITV’s This Morning and on Heart as he shared 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 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.