SAM THOMPSON COMPLETES ‘BRUTAL’ FIRST LEG OF EPIC UNICEF CHALLENGE!  

Home > Media Contacts and Press Releases > SAM THOMPSON COMPLETES ‘BRUTAL’ FIRST LEG OF EPIC UNICEF CHALLENGE!  

SAM THOMPSON COMPLETES ‘BRUTAL’ FIRST LEG OF EPIC UNICEF CHALLENGE!  

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

After an exhausting first day running and cycling 49 miles from London to Milton Keynes on his ‘Match Ball Mission’ for Soccer Aid for UNICEF, Sam has raised more than £100,000 

  •  TV, radio and podcast host Sam Thompson has finished the first day of his gruelling ‘Match Ball Mission’ for Soccer Aid for UNICEF – raising £100,603.46 and counting! 
  • He ran a full marathon, before cycling a further 23 miles reaching his first finish line at MK Stadium in Milton Keynes  
  • Fellow ITV This Morning presenter and friend Ben Shepherd saddled up this afternoon to surprise Sam enroute  
  • Tomorrow Sam faces the longest day as he pounds the pavement from Milton Keynes to Northamptonshire before cycling all the way to Birmingham 
  • Sam has four more challenging days to go as he heads north towards the final whistle in Old Trafford, Manchester on Friday 6 June 
  • Sam’s 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 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 
  • 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 
  • To donate visit socceraid.org.uk/challenge 

Monday 2nd June: TV, radio and podcast host Sam Thompson has successfully made it over the finish line on day one of his mammoth ‘Match Ball Mission’ for Soccer Aid for UNICEF – raising £100,603.46 so far.   

After completing an ‘exhausting’ marathon run from Stamford Bridge to Hemel Hempstead this morning, followed by a physio pitstop and the all clear to continue, Sam took to two wheels to peddle-power his way to the finish line at Stadium MK in Milton Keynes.  

TV presenter Ben Shepherd, who saddled up and joined Sam for some much-needed support, said: “I think Sam is incredibly brave and courageous taking on a challenge like this. I’ve done some physical ultra-marathons and I know that it takes its toll. Mentally it’s a really tough battle because for five days he’s got to run five marathons then having finished, jump on the bike on top of that. 

“What I know and love about Sam is his enthusiasm, his energy and his positivity and that is going to be tested to his absolute limit. He’s going to have to draw on all of his experience of meeting the children in Guatemala that inspired him with their joy that got them through all sorts of really difficult things in their lives. Sam’s got the biggest heart and despite the pain he’s going to be going through, I can’t wait to see him cross that finish line on Friday and get that ball to Old Trafford.” 

Despite knocking 49 miles off in just one day, Sam faces the ultimate test of endurance with over 200 miles of running and cycling still to go to make it to Old Trafford in Manchester by Friday morning (June 6). 

Speaking at the finish line on day one, Sam said: “Day one was terrifying. I can’t believe I did it. I was so worried that no one would turn up for me, but as I started to approach the stadium and the finish line, I could hear the cheering. I started to get emotional. It means so much to me that people turned out.   

“It’s been tougher than I could have imagined and there were points when I was really struggling. I was in a lot of pain after the marathon, but before I started the bike I was checked over by the physio and medical team, just to make sure I was fit enough to carry on. 

“I’m taking one step at a time, one pedal at a time, but I’m going to find a way to make it to the finish and stay focussed on why I’m doing this. It’s to raise as much money for UNICEF as we can – to support the incredible work they do for children around the world. That’s what this is all about.” 

Over five days, Sam is facing the toughest challenge of his life – taking 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, raising vital funds for UNICEF’s work for children around the world.  

Sam was joined on this morning’s 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, and his fellow Hits Radio presenters, Fleur East, Will Best and James Barr. 

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). 

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. 

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: m[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