SAM THOMPSON INTO THE SECOND HALF OF MAMMOTH MATCH BALL MISSION CHALLENGE - RAISING OVER £600,000 FOR UNICEF SO FAR

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SAM THOMPSON INTO THE SECOND HALF OF MAMMOTH MATCH BALL MISSION CHALLENGE - RAISING OVER £600,000 FOR UNICEF SO FAR

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 

  • Still battling a painful calf injury, an exhausted Sam travelled through Walsall, Cannock, Stafford and Stone to reach his third finish line at Vale Park tonight– passing the halfway point and raising £604,280.82 and counting 
  • A host of famous faces surprised Sam today including a video message of support from Soccer Aid co-founder Robbie Williams, a call from UNICEF UK High Profile Supporter Alex Brooker, with best friend Pete Wicks, Dame Sarah Storey, and former footballer Ashley Cain joining him on the road 
  • With another two 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 every donation will be tripled, thanks to Children’s Investment Fund Foundation matching donations up to £5 million and an anonymous donor matching up to £500,000 
  • This year’s Soccer Aid for UNICEF match will be broadcast on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player on Sunday 15th June. 

 Wednesday June 4: Day three of TV, radio and podcast host Sam Thompson’s Match Ball Mission for Soccer Aid for UNICEF challenge saw him continue to battle a painful calf injury as he passed the half-way mark – raising £604,280.82 and counting! 

On advice from his medical team, Sam started the day walking from Villa Park before taking to two wheels to cover a total of 49 miles as he passed through Walsall, Cannock, Stafford and Stone on his way to Vale Park in Stoke-on-Trent to reach his third finish line. 

The morning got off to an emotional start as his was surprised by best friend Pete Wicks who gave him a much-needed boost. 

Pete said: “I spoke to Gary, the physio who’s been looking after Sam, and he said Sam has torn his calf and he would normally be out for three weeks but he isn’t able to do that. So he’s getting up every day with one calf effectively and overcompensating with the rest of his body. But he’s getting there, he’s doing it. 

“I’m so proud of hm, he’s an inspiration to me. He’s in the trenches and he’s very emotional but all the pain he’s been going through is for a good cause. The total raised so far has really lifted his spirits and every penny donated will help children around the world.” 

This morning, it was also revealed that every donation will be tripled, thanks to Children’s Investment Fund Foundation matching donations up to £5 million and an anonymous donor matching up to £500,000. 

A host of other friendly faces also surprised Sam today lifting his spirts, including a video message from Soccer Aid for UNICEF co-founder, Robbie Williams, a phone call from UNICEF UK high-profile supporter, Alex Brooker, with Ashley Cain and Dame Sarah Storey joining Sam on the road. 

Dame Sarah Storey, who cycled with Sam in Stafford, said: “It’s been amazing to watch the resilience and the determination Sam’s got and he’s got that inspiration from when he visited Guatemala. He knows the incredible impact UNICEF’s work has, as we all do. 

“Even as an athlete this would be hard, it’s gruelling. I think Sam deserves all the credit and kudos for how he’s getting through this. Most people don’t train five days in a row let alone do this sort of effort five days in a row with an injury, and so it really is hugely inspiring and a huge honour for me to support in a tiny way.” 

The next two days are set to test Sam’s fitness to the limit with still more than 90 miles to go in the ultimate test of endurance as he crosses counties, cities, rivers and roads to ensure the match ball is delivered to Old Trafford ahead of this year’s Soccer Aid for UNICEF kick-off on Sunday 15th June. 

Sam said: “I’m so happy to have made it past the half-way point and seeing a crowd at the finish to meet me is exactly what I needed to lift me back up. 

“My aim was to try and do a little bit of running today. It might have been more like hobbling but at least I made it on two feet over the finish line. 

“For all of the people who are putting their hands in their pockets, it means so much to me. If you have donated you are the hero of the story not me. 

“I’ve had a lot of wobbles on the road since we left Stamford Bridge but Ben Shepherd said something that really hit home. He said ‘It’s about the finish line and not the finish time.’ I just need to make it to the finish line no matter how long it takes me to get there.” 

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). 

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 

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