SAM THOMPSON COMPLETES LONGEST DAY OF EPIC UNICEF CHALLENGE - DOUBLING TOTAL DONATIONS TO ALMOST £200,000

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SAM THOMPSON COMPLETES LONGEST DAY OF EPIC UNICEF CHALLENGE - DOUBLING TOTAL DONATIONS TO ALMOST £200,000

Download video & photos – Sam’s Match Ball Mission photos & Footage    
More photos available on Shutterstock wire: ‘Match Ball Mission’ for Soccer Aid for UNICEF, UK 

  • TV, radio and podcast host Sam Thompson battled through torrential downpours and a painful calf strain today, completing 72 miles of his Match Ball Mission for Soccer Aid for UNICEF – raising a total of £198,922.66 and counting! 
  • Sam was surprised by ITV This Morning presenter Chris Hughes, had messages of support on Hits Radio from Chris’ partner JoJo Siwa and had a much-needed boost from brother-in-law Ryan Libbey who joined him for an emotional cycle, before he attempted to run across the finish line at Villa Park, Birmingham 
  • Today he travelled from Stadium MK, Milton Keynes and waved at fans through Towcester, Rugby, Coventry and Solihull  
  • With another three days to go, Sam’s nationwide challenge sees him tackle five punishing back-to-back endurance days – running and peddling over 260 miles in total – to deliver the Soccer Aid match ball to Old Trafford, Manchester 
  • 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’s Soccer Aid for UNICEF match will be broadcast on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player on Sunday 15th June 

Tuesday June 3: Today, TV, radio and podcast host Sam Thompson completed the longest day of his gruelling five day challenge: transporting the Soccer Aid for UNICEF match ball more than 260 miles from Stamford Bridge in London, to the home of this year’s match, Old Trafford in Manchester – raising funds for UNICEF which today saw total donations almost double to £198,922.66 so far. 

In just two days, Sam has already covered over 120 miles on foot and bike in the ultimate test of endurance as he crosses counties, cities, rivers and roads to ensure the match ball is delivered ahead of this year’s Soccer Aid for UNICEF kick-off on Sunday 15th June. 

Fans were out in force to cheer Sam along the way as he travelled from Stadium MK, Milton Keynes and through Towcester, Rugby, Coventry and Solihull, battling torrential rain and tough hill climbs. Determined to reach the day’s finish line, Sam heroically pushed through a painful calf strain, and on advice from medical team stuck to two wheels to aid his recovery, before attempting to run to the finish line at Villa Park, Birmingham. 

On his travels, Sam was surprised by ITV This Morning presenter Chris Hughes, had messages of support on Hits Radio from Chris’ partner JoJo Siwa and had a much-needed boost from brother-in-law Ryan Libbey who joined him for an emotional afternoon cycle. 

Ryan said: “I was so excited to see Sam and give him a big squeeze today. Sam is doing so incredibly well, I’m so proud of him. He’s been up against it today with the weather and his injury, but to see the amount of money he has raised and the awareness he’s bringing to UNICEF is an inspiration. Nothing about what he’s doing, including the distance he cycled today, is easy, but he’s so determined and I know he can do it. Let’s get Sam across that finish line!” 

From today’s finish line, Sam said: “One of the toughest parts of the day was the weather conditions – that rain during the cycle was unbelievable. We were absolutely drenched, and my back was aching, but having Chris there kept me going. I can cope with the bad conditions and the aches and pains, but my leg keeps letting me down. I was told at the last pitstop I could try and run the last few kilometres to test my leg and my recovery, so I cycled out the pitstop determined to make it as far as I could towards the stadium and tried to run into Villa Park. I’m going to ice my leg again tonight and see what tomorrow brings.  

“If I have to get up at 4am every morning for the rest of the week to complete this, I will. I’m going to make it to Manchester by Friday. I am so grateful to everyone that has supported me already and donated – that’s the one thing keeping going.” 

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 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 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