EXCLUSIVE Sam Thompson breaks down in tears after pal Pete Wicks surprises him amid latest leg of gruelling 260-mile endurance challenge that's left him in 'intense pain' following injury
Sam Thompson broke down in tears as pal Pete Wicks surprised him to mark half way of his 'intensely painful' 260-mile Soccer Aid Challenge on Wednesday.
The I'm A Celeb star, 34, who 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'.
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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'.
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'
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.
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'.
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'
'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'.
It comes after Sam was joined by his pal Chris Hughes for the second day the gruelling challenge on Tuesday.
And Chris' new girlfriend JoJo Siwa made sure to send her support to the former Made In Chelsea star as she sent him a motivational message.
Appearing on Hits Radio, the singer, 22, told Sam: 'No matter what burn yourself out, burn those little legs out, keep it pushing!'
And Chris' new girlfriend JoJo Siwa made sure to send her support to the former Made In Chelsea star as she sent him a motivational message
'You're gonna be proud if you do it. In five days from now you are either going to be really proud or you're gonna be like "Damn I probably could have done it if I had tried a little harder.
'So don't have that regret.'
Chris, 32, and JoJo officially confirmed their relationship this weekend after sending fans wild with weeks of loved up speculation.
Congratulating his friend amid his new blossoming romance after hearing the message from JoJo, Sam remarked on Chris' happiness.
'He looks incredible happy, and I have told him to just chase the happiness that's the most important thing in this world.
'And I am really happy for you mate you look over the moon and it makes me happy. So anything that makes you happy keep cracking on.'
Chris joked: 'I said to Sam on the way round "keep it pushing", and that's her terminology rubbed off on me.'
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