SAM THOMPSON’S MATCH BALL MISSION HITS RECORD FUNDRAISING MILESTONE OF OVER £1 MILLION AS HE REACHES HIS PENULTIMATE FINISH LINE

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SAM THOMPSON’S MATCH BALL MISSION HITS RECORD FUNDRAISING MILESTONE OF OVER £1 MILLION AS HE REACHES HIS PENULTIMATE FINISH LINE

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 

  • An exhausted Sam has crossed the penultimate finish line of his ‘Match Ball Mission’ for Soccer Aid for UNICEF challenge – hitting a record fundraising total of £1,169,922.42 and counting 
  • After battling through torrential downpours travelling through Sandbach, Middlewich, Ellesmere Port, The Wirral, and Birkenhead, Sam’s challenge took a surprise twist as he took a speedboat across the River Mersey joined by his I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! campmate Tony Bellew, before being greeted by his mum Karen at the finish line 
  • A host of friendly faces have been surprising Sam including messages of support from UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Orlando Bloom and freestyle footballer, Billy Wingrove, with Made in Chelsea star Josh ‘JP’ Patterson joining him on the road today 
  • With just one day 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 

 

Thursday June 5: There was a surprise in store for TV, radio and podcast host Sam Thompson today as he took a speedboat across the River Mersey joined by his I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! campmate Tony Bellew, before reaching the penultimate finish line of his gruelling five day challenge – which has hit a record fundraising milestone of £1,169,922.42 and counting for UNICEF. 

Over the last four days, Sam has covered more than 220 miles on foot and bike in the ultimate test of endurance as he crosses counties, cities, rivers and roads to ensure the Soccer Aid for UNICEF match ball is transported from last year’s stadium, Stamford Bridge in London, to the home of this year’s match, Old Trafford in Manchester – ahead of kick-off on Sunday 15th June. 

Still battling an injured calf, along with torrential downpours, Sam was given the greenlight by medical staff to start today running from Vale Park alongside friend and former Made in Chelsea star, Josh ‘JP’ Patterson.  

Sam then took to two wheels as he passed Sandbach, Middlewich, Ellesmere Port, The Wirral, and Birkenhead, with fans out in force to greet him along the way including a cheer squad of schoolchildren in Middlewich, before he took to the speedboat across the River Mersey with Tony Bellew. 

Tony said: “Sam’s in world of pain and needs a little lift, but we’re going to get him over the finish line. What he’s achieved is unbelievable – miles of pain, graft, sweat and tears and going through injuries so please keep donating what you can. He appreciates everything, we all do.” 

His mum, Karen, also surprised an emotional and exhausted Sam at his penultimate finish line at Goodison Park this evening. 

Karen said: “I’m so proud of him. I just want to give him the most enormous hug. He’s gone from being my little soldier to the most enormous superhero. Thank goodness he’s only got one more day to go because it’s been absolutely brutal – the pain and the rain and the wind. It’s broken my heart to see him struggle the way he has but he can be so proud of himself at the end of it and I know the thought of the children he’s helping is what’s going to get him to the end tomorrow. To everyone out there so generously donating, thank you so much, it makes it all worthwhile.” 

 A host of other friendly faces have also been supporting Sam along the way, lifting his spirts, with messages from UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Orlando Bloom and freestyle footballer, Billy Wingrove. 

Sam said: “It’s been the hardest day by an absolute mile, there’s been a lot of tears and a lot of pain. This is the wildest journey I’ve ever been on – and it’s not over yet. I fell to the ground when we hit £1 million. I’m so humbled. Thank you to everyone who’s donated, it means the world. I’ve seen firsthand the work UNICEF does in Guatemala and this will do amazing things.” 

Sam now has just one day left in his gruelling five day challenge which is all to raise vital funds to support UNICEF’s work for children around the world. 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 tomorrow, 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 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. 

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