EXCLUSIVE Sam Thompson admits his leg is in 'absolute pieces' after battling through nasty injury in gruelling Soccer Aid challenge
The Made In Chelsea star, 32, has battled a nasty calf injury to continue his 260-mile journey to transport the Soccer Aid matchball from Stamford Bridge in London to Old Trafford in Manchester.
And as he prepared to set off from Vale Park, Stoke-on-Trent, Sam received another surprise from one of his close pals, with his pal Josh 'JP' Patterson, who will run with him for the first part of the day.
Speaking to MailOnline ahead of the first leg, Sam reflected on the 'immense' outpouring of support he received.
He said: 'Today is a tough day. It's wet, it's cold, it's windy. My leg is in absolute pieces, but we go again.
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'We passed the half-way point yesterday and it was such a great day. I've got to try and channel that mindset and spirit.
'Today is going to be one step in front of the other. Also, the fact that we have raised over £600,000 is keeping me going – that will warm anyone's soul!
'The love and outpouring from people has been so immense and I'm so glad people are donating to UNICEF's work for kids around the world. I've seen it firsthand and know the difference it'll make.'
Josh added: 'I want to support my friend through possibly one of the most vulnerable experiences of his life, but he's doing it for the most wonderful cause. I want to help raise as much money as we can, so when he steps across the finish line, he knows he's given it every single ounce of himself.
'He's been phenomenal. For someone who doubts himself so much, I hope one of the things he takes from this challenge is ''he is the guy''!'
Setting off on day four from Vale Park, Sam is expected to cover 57 miles as he passes through Sandbach, Middlewich, Ellesmere Port, The Wirral, and Birkenhead before heading to Goodison Park in Liverpool - his penultimate finish line
Still battling forwards with an injured calf and given the green light by the medical team, Sam is determined to transport the Soccer Aid for UNICEF match ball one way or another – and will attempt to get there on foot and by bike.
After completing the gruelling third day of his challenge, Sam was surprised with a motivational message from close pal Jamie Laing.
After suffering in his own gruelling charity marathon, Jamie, 36, knew exactly how Sam was feeling as he reached the halfway mark.
The BBC Radio 1 presenter had the whole nation behind him as he ran 30 miles for five consecutive days across the country in March, raising an incredible £2.3m.
'It's day three baby, it's the worst. It's the worst', Jamie laughed.
Sam screamed: 'I can't move man! My Leg!'
Jamie said: 'Listen, I've been there. I know how hard it is and your body is screaming for you to give up. Every single moment, you just keep going.
'One foot in front of the other, you don't stop.'
Sam teared up: 'Seeing your face just then has literally just made my day. I remember watching you doing your runs and being like your an inspiration man.
'The fact that you're just giving me your energy and your time man, I'm so grateful.'
Jamie said: 'You're doing the best thing ever, you're doing it for the best cause. Let's keep going, I adore you, I love you, everyone's behind you, you're the greatest.'
'You got this Sam!', Jamie's wife Sophie Habboo cheered in the background.
To complete the challenge, Sam is expected to run a marathon for five days and cycle in between, ensuring the ball arrives on June 6, just in time for kickoff on Sunday, June 15.
Day three saw him set off from Villa Park, Birmingham and pass through Walsall, Cannock, Stafford and Stone on his way to Vale Park in Stoke-on-Trent.
Pete Wicks hilariously parodied Sam's ex Zara McDermott 's famous 'you can!' moment from Made In Chelsea as he supported him on his challenge on Wednesday.
Sam was surprised by Pete during the latest segment where he held up a sign and shouted to his pal.
The 'you can!' refers to a now iconic Made In Chelsea scene where Zara begs for Sam back after cheating on him during her time on Celebrity X Factor in 2019.
Zara and Sam then split for good earlier this year - with the former Love Island now moving on with One Direction star Louis Tomlinson.
In a video shared on Pete and Sam's Staying Relevant podcast TikTok page Pete is seen screaming 'you can!' at Sam - sending him into fits of giggles on his bike.
The sign read: 'You can do it... YOU CAAAN!' as Pete shouted it in the same tone that Zara had as she insisted that Sam could forgive her for her infidelities all those years ago.
Earlier in the day Sam broke down in tears as pal Pete surprised him to mark half way of his 'intensely painful' challenge.
Their followers found the scene hilarious as they took to the comments
Sam, who sustained a 'significant' injured his calf earlier in the week, threw his arms around his friend, 37, before telling MailOnline the reunion 'made his day'.
As Pete strolled up, Sam became overwhelmed to see the friendly face amid day three of him cycling and running another whopping 49 miles.
The TV star has been given the task to travel a mammoth 260-mile journey on both bike and foot to deliver the match ball to its new home in Old Trafford, with the hope of raising much-needed funds for Unicef.
He told MailOnline: 'Seeing Pete half way made my day. The pain is so intense but this has put a smile on my face'.
Before adding: 'Please donate if you can, I'm so grateful for all the support'.
Before setting off on Monday, Pete shared a gushing tribute to his pal on Instagram writing: 'Tomorrow this man embarks on a mental and physical challenge for an amazing cause @Unicef.'
'Mate I couldn't be prouder of you as a friend, a brother and as a man. You are gonna push yourself to the limit and I can't wait to watch you complete this f**king mammoth task.
'I know how much work you've put in and I know you're doing it for the right reasons'.
Before setting off on Monday, Pete shared a gushing tribute to his pal on Instagram writing: 'Tomorrow this man embarks on a mental and physical challenge for an amazing cause'
He continued: 'Just so you know, you're doing it with every single one of your friends and family right behind you. I hope the nation follows your journey and helps you along the way in donations and support. You are an inspiration to me and many others and I admire the man you've become this year more than any other year I've known you. Good luck brother, you've got this'
Still battling forwards with an injured calf and given the green light by the medical team, the reality star was determined to complete the challenge.
He said: 'This is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. I now have to accept that I've done damage to my calf and running is very difficult'.
'But I can and will carry on, not matter what, on two feet and two pedals, I'm still going to get there and get across the finish line on Friday. It's just going to be longer, harder but my reason for doing it still hasn't changed. I really hope people are digging deep for UNICEF, seeing what I'm trying to do and are getting behind this challenge.'
Speaking about Sam's injury, on the road physio, Gary Lewin said: 'Sam has got a significant injury to his calf. We tried to take the weight off of it yesterday by giving him a bike day and in the afternoon he said it felt better, so we tried a bit of walking'.
'He can't put much weight on it. My advice today is we're going to start out with a walk today and then cycle and see how we get on. He's in safe hands and medical advice is he can continue'.
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