Sam Thompson grimaces during first day of gruelling Soccer Aid challenge as his family pay tribute to his 'strength and resilience' after 'tricky' split from Zara McDermott

Daily Mail​

2 days ago

Sam Thompson appeared in pain as he grimaced after kicking off his gruelling Soccer Aid challenge on Monday.
The I'm A Celeb star, 32, 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.
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.
In snaps from day one of the challenge, Sam looked exhausted as he powered through before sprawling out on a garden chair as he took a break from the gruelling task.
And it appeared he had already sustained an injury as the Instagram for his Staying Relevant podcast shared a snap of him being seen to by a medic.
At the start line were his sister Louise Thompson, her partner Ryan Libbey and Sam's nephew Leo.
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Louise paid tribute to her little brother on Instagram hours before the start of the challenge, and for the first time spoke out on his 'tricky' few months following his split from long-term girlfriend Zara McDermott.
'My brother has been quite quiet online this year. It's not been the easiest time for him,' Louise admitted.
'But he has been secretly squirrelling his energy into something big. Something much much bigger than himself, and he is about to show us just how strong he is.'
'Without sounding too cliche, it really is during the tricky times in life that we find the greatest strength and resilience. Life will throw challenges at all of us at one point or another and if we can choose to take a moment to pause and reflect, and to look both inwards AND outwards, then sometimes a breakdown can turn into a breakthrough.'
Addressing her brother, Louise said she was in awe at how he has channelled his energies into the challenge.
'I think it's incredibly impressive how hard you've trained this year, building up so much mental and physical strength, you've cycled at home for hours and hours on end, sometimes for 3/4 hours at a time on your stationary road bike, jogged secret marathons without telling anyone and not complained once,' she wrote.
'Occasionally you'll pop over for an ice bath and listen to Macy gray, but the reality is you could have been out enjoying the summer sun at the pub like most people your age getting over a breakup.'
'Your dedication is beautiful! And probably not that easy to stay so focused as someone with adhd.'
Sam took the first steps of his gruelling Match Ball Mission for Soccer Aid for UNICEF challenge on Monday with his sister Louise, Ryan Libbey and nephew Leo all cheering him on
Sam has four more challenging days to go as he heads north towards the final whistle in Old Trafford, Manchester on Friday June 6.
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, thanks to the Children's Investment Fund Foundation, every donation made to Soccer Aid for UNICEF will be doubled – up to £5 million.
The star's new love interest Samie Elishi will no doubt be cheering him on too.
The Love Island star, 25, has been dating the podcast presenter, 32, since last month, when the pair were pictured sharing a kiss at Olivia Attwood 's birthday bash.
Earlier this week, Samie's distance from Sam while she attended a brand trip to Mykonos had briefly sparked rumours they'd split, but a source has since hit back at the claims.
Addressing her brother, Louise was in awe at how Sam has channelled his energies into the challenge
A source close to the couple told MailOnline: 'Any suggestion that Sam and Samie have split up is untrue.
'They're loving spending time together and always make the most of off days between their busy schedules.'
Elsewhere Sam's ex Zara McDermott has been packing on the PDA with her new boyfriend Louis Tomlinson during a romantic holiday to Costa Rica.