Sam Thompson at breaking point as he battles to Soccer Aid finish line

Daily Mirror

21 hours ago

Reality TV star Sam Thompson has been pushing his body to its absolute limits all in the name of charity as his gruelling Soccer Aid challenge reaches its climax. The former Made in Chelsea cast member, 32, is miraculously expected to finish his five-day challenge today.
He can barely walk – let alone run or cycle – after tearing his calf but is determined to make it all the way to the finish line. Just a few kilometers from the end of day one's marathon, Sam felt a pop in his calf.
The next day he had longer on the bike to give his calf time to heal and incredibly, now he is back on his feet again. He has remained focused on raising money for Unicef and has smashed the £1million mark.
Sam has faced spells of torrential rain on an extended bike ride on day two, as well as his inner demons. However, his famous friends have lifted his spirits on the journey from Chelsea's Stamford Bridge to Manchester Utd's Old Trafford to deliver a match ball ahead of the Soccer Aid game next Sunday.
TV hosts Josie Gibson, Chris Hughes and Jamie Laing have supported him during the dark times. But his reunion and pep-talk with best mate Pete Wicks is ­especially spurring him on.
Follow along for the Mirror's updates live as Sam approaches his finish line...
Sam has received the support and advice of Olympian Sir Mo Farah, which will clearly be on his mind.
Mo told him ahead of the challenge: 'Just put one foot in front of the other, and always believe in why you are doing it.'
The Prime Minister has praised 'inspiring' Sam Thompson - as the Mirror is at the finishing line of his heroic Soccer Aid challenge which he is expected to complete today - body permitting - at Old Trafford.
It comes as he last night smashed the £1million barrier in donations.
Sir Keir said: 'My message to Sam is he is doing a fantastic job, I've seen the footage of him running with that injury - it's inspiring. All tribute to him and I applaud what he's doing, particular if he's got an injury. Soccer Aid is always good and I'll do anything to support it that I can.'
Sam faced spells of torrential rain on an extended bike ride on day two, as well as his inner demons. He has been very open about his mental health, including a late autism diag- nosis.
But a succession of famous friends have lifted his spirits on the journey from Chelsea's Stamford Bridge to Manchester Utd's Old Trafford to deliver a match ball ahead of the Soccer Aid game next Sunday. TV hosts Josie Gibson, Chris Hughes and Jamie Laing have supported him during the dark times.
But his reunion and pep-talk with best mate Pete Wicks is especially spurring him on. He says: "I'm so blown away by people's generosity.It's all going to Unicef 's work for kids around the world. I've seen it firsthand and know the difference it will make."
There are fears Sam could arrive later than planned as he is in so much pain. Speaking to the Mirror last night, he revealed: "I'm really strapped up but I think it's getting worse.
"I'm mitigating with other bits of my body that are now starting to creak under the pressure. I've been running on my tiptoes but my ankles are now going which, in turn, leads to my knees going. I'm just trying not to think about it."
Sam had an emotional Facetime call yesterday with his sister and fellow reality TV star Louise Thompson which left both of them in tears, where she spoke of his 'horrendous break-up.'
He split from long-term girlfriend Zara McDermott at the start of the year. Louise told him: "You've been through a very tough six months regardless of training for this challenge, you've obviously been through this horrendous breakup and to throw yourself into something that is helping so many other people is just incredible."
Sam split from Love Island star Zara after five years but is focused on raising money for Unicef and has smashed the £1million mark. And he told the Mirror: 'It's definitely been a year of change but having said that I am absolutely honoured to do something I've never done before and throw myself into this? and it's been a pleasure to be able to do this and hopefully it's onwards and upwards for the rest of the year, if we get to the end."
Sam can barely walk - let alone run or cycle - after tearing his calf but is somehow expected to finish the five day challenge today from 11.30am.
Disaster struck just a few kilometers from the end of day one's marathon when Sam felt a pop in his calf. He says: "It was bad straight away. I couldn't walk or put barely any weight on it.
"I just burst into tears, as I thought how am I going to do the rest of this challenge?Letting people down just plays on my mind constantly."