Latest news with #SoccerAidforUnicef
Leader Live
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Sam Thompson begins 260-mile run and cycle to deliver Soccer Aid match ball
The 32-year-old will travel from Chelsea's Stamford Bridge stadium in London, the location of last year's charity match in aid of Unicef, to Manchester United's Old Trafford home, which will host the 2025 game that Thompson is due to play in. Speaking before setting off on Monday, the former Made In Chelsea star said: 'I had no sleep last night, I'm absolutely terrified but I know I just need to keep my head in the game and remember why I'm doing this. 'It's all for Unicef and to raise as much money as possible, so I'm going to dig deep and get on with it, and look forward to a hot shower at the end.' On Monday, Thompson will run 26 miles towards Hemel Hempstead, where he will then cycle 23 miles further to the first finish line at MK Dons' Stadium MK ground in Milton Keynes. Thompson was joined at the start line by I'm A Celebrity … Unpacked co-host Joel Dommett, his sister Louise Thompson, her partner Ryan Libbey and his nephew Leo. His sister said: 'Sam's such a happy, entertaining person, I've never seen him do something that will require so much resilience and endurance. 'I'm so proud of him, he's put so much work in and it's all for an incredible cause, and will help so many children. I'm waving him off at the beginning and I'll be seeing him at the end, that's all the support he needs from me.' From Stadium MK, Thompson will travel to Aston Villa's Villa Park in Birmingham, then on to Port Vale's Vale Park in Stoke-on-Trent, then to Everton's Goodison Park in Liverpool, before finishing at Old Trafford. His journey will be broadcast live on ITV's This Morning and Hits Radio each day, with the star due to arrive at the finish line on Friday June 6. The challenge will also feature in a one-off documentary on ITV1, Sam Thompson's Match Ball Mission, which will air in the lead-up to Soccer Aid for Unicef. Thompson is taking on the challenge to raise money for Soccer Aid charity Unicef's work to help children grow up safe, healthy and able to play. Soccer Aid 2025 will take place on Sunday June 15, at Old Trafford, and will be broadcast live on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player.
North Wales Chronicle
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Sam Thompson begins 260-mile run and cycle to deliver Soccer Aid match ball
The 32-year-old will travel from Chelsea's Stamford Bridge stadium in London, the location of last year's charity match in aid of Unicef, to Manchester United's Old Trafford home, which will host the 2025 game that Thompson is due to play in. Speaking before setting off on Monday, the former Made In Chelsea star said: 'I had no sleep last night, I'm absolutely terrified but I know I just need to keep my head in the game and remember why I'm doing this. 'It's all for Unicef and to raise as much money as possible, so I'm going to dig deep and get on with it, and look forward to a hot shower at the end.' On Monday, Thompson will run 26 miles towards Hemel Hempstead, where he will then cycle 23 miles further to the first finish line at MK Dons' Stadium MK ground in Milton Keynes. Thompson was joined at the start line by I'm A Celebrity … Unpacked co-host Joel Dommett, his sister Louise Thompson, her partner Ryan Libbey and his nephew Leo. His sister said: 'Sam's such a happy, entertaining person, I've never seen him do something that will require so much resilience and endurance. 'I'm so proud of him, he's put so much work in and it's all for an incredible cause, and will help so many children. I'm waving him off at the beginning and I'll be seeing him at the end, that's all the support he needs from me.' From Stadium MK, Thompson will travel to Aston Villa's Villa Park in Birmingham, then on to Port Vale's Vale Park in Stoke-on-Trent, then to Everton's Goodison Park in Liverpool, before finishing at Old Trafford. His journey will be broadcast live on ITV's This Morning and Hits Radio each day, with the star due to arrive at the finish line on Friday June 6. The challenge will also feature in a one-off documentary on ITV1, Sam Thompson's Match Ball Mission, which will air in the lead-up to Soccer Aid for Unicef. Thompson is taking on the challenge to raise money for Soccer Aid charity Unicef's work to help children grow up safe, healthy and able to play. Soccer Aid 2025 will take place on Sunday June 15, at Old Trafford, and will be broadcast live on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player.
South Wales Guardian
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Sam Thompson begins 260-mile run and cycle to deliver Soccer Aid match ball
The 32-year-old will travel from Chelsea's Stamford Bridge stadium in London, the location of last year's charity match in aid of Unicef, to Manchester United's Old Trafford home, which will host the 2025 game that Thompson is due to play in. Speaking before setting off on Monday, the former Made In Chelsea star said: 'I had no sleep last night, I'm absolutely terrified but I know I just need to keep my head in the game and remember why I'm doing this. 'It's all for Unicef and to raise as much money as possible, so I'm going to dig deep and get on with it, and look forward to a hot shower at the end.' On Monday, Thompson will run 26 miles towards Hemel Hempstead, where he will then cycle 23 miles further to the first finish line at MK Dons' Stadium MK ground in Milton Keynes. Thompson was joined at the start line by I'm A Celebrity … Unpacked co-host Joel Dommett, his sister Louise Thompson, her partner Ryan Libbey and his nephew Leo. His sister said: 'Sam's such a happy, entertaining person, I've never seen him do something that will require so much resilience and endurance. 'I'm so proud of him, he's put so much work in and it's all for an incredible cause, and will help so many children. I'm waving him off at the beginning and I'll be seeing him at the end, that's all the support he needs from me.' From Stadium MK, Thompson will travel to Aston Villa's Villa Park in Birmingham, then on to Port Vale's Vale Park in Stoke-on-Trent, then to Everton's Goodison Park in Liverpool, before finishing at Old Trafford. His journey will be broadcast live on ITV's This Morning and Hits Radio each day, with the star due to arrive at the finish line on Friday June 6. The challenge will also feature in a one-off documentary on ITV1, Sam Thompson's Match Ball Mission, which will air in the lead-up to Soccer Aid for Unicef. Thompson is taking on the challenge to raise money for Soccer Aid charity Unicef's work to help children grow up safe, healthy and able to play. Soccer Aid 2025 will take place on Sunday June 15, at Old Trafford, and will be broadcast live on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player.
Rhyl Journal
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Sam Thompson begins 260-mile run and cycle to deliver Soccer Aid match ball
The 32-year-old will travel from Chelsea's Stamford Bridge stadium in London, the location of last year's charity match in aid of Unicef, to Manchester United's Old Trafford home, which will host the 2025 game that Thompson is due to play in. Speaking before setting off on Monday, the former Made In Chelsea star said: 'I had no sleep last night, I'm absolutely terrified but I know I just need to keep my head in the game and remember why I'm doing this. 'It's all for Unicef and to raise as much money as possible, so I'm going to dig deep and get on with it, and look forward to a hot shower at the end.' On Monday, Thompson will run 26 miles towards Hemel Hempstead, where he will then cycle 23 miles further to the first finish line at MK Dons' Stadium MK ground in Milton Keynes. Thompson was joined at the start line by I'm A Celebrity … Unpacked co-host Joel Dommett, his sister Louise Thompson, her partner Ryan Libbey and his nephew Leo. His sister said: 'Sam's such a happy, entertaining person, I've never seen him do something that will require so much resilience and endurance. 'I'm so proud of him, he's put so much work in and it's all for an incredible cause, and will help so many children. I'm waving him off at the beginning and I'll be seeing him at the end, that's all the support he needs from me.' From Stadium MK, Thompson will travel to Aston Villa's Villa Park in Birmingham, then on to Port Vale's Vale Park in Stoke-on-Trent, then to Everton's Goodison Park in Liverpool, before finishing at Old Trafford. His journey will be broadcast live on ITV's This Morning and Hits Radio each day, with the star due to arrive at the finish line on Friday June 6. The challenge will also feature in a one-off documentary on ITV1, Sam Thompson's Match Ball Mission, which will air in the lead-up to Soccer Aid for Unicef. Thompson is taking on the challenge to raise money for Soccer Aid charity Unicef's work to help children grow up safe, healthy and able to play. Soccer Aid 2025 will take place on Sunday June 15, at Old Trafford, and will be broadcast live on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player.
ITV News
13-05-2025
- Sport
- ITV News
Sam Thompson takes on his biggest challenge yet for Soccer Aid
He may have proved his strength with SAS soldiers and was crowned King of the Jungle, but Sam Thompson's about to take on his toughest mission yet... and it's all in aid of Soccer Aid for UNICEF. Beginning on June 2 and finishing on June 6, Sam will need to run a marathon a day, as well as cycle, to ensure the the Soccer Aid for UNICEF match ball is delivered ahead of kick-off on Sunday June 15 from Stamford Bridge to Old Trafford, this year's venue, more than 260 miles away! Speaking about the upcoming challenge, Sam said, 'It's a complete honour, if I'm honest with you. I'm not a runner, I'm not an athlete. I go to the gym every now and then, but more for upper body, I don't think I've ever trained legs in my life. 'The most I've run is 8k and I haven't really been training for that long, so it's something that I'm very nervous for and I have nightmares about as I just don't want to let anyone down.' He said the charity team feels like a 'family' to him and he was 'lucky enough' to visit Unicef-supported initiatives in Guatemala last month to see first-hand how funds raised are helping children. He visited the Juego Limpio Fair Play football programme in Solola, giving children a safe space to play and learn through sport. He also went to an early development Centre in Solola, providing toddlers with early education and a respite for parents doing all they can to provide for their families. He reflected on an encounter he had with a young girl there who since attending the centre exuded positivity despite the challenges her family faces living in poverty. 'There was this girl called Dany who was three years old. She was helping her mum do the laundry, she was taking my hand and saying 'come play with me',' he explained. 'She lived in an environment that no child should have to – she had a toy box and there were more cockroaches than toys in the toy box. 'It's so sad but also you see so much happiness. Dr Philip Goodwin, chief executive officer for UNICEF UK, said: 'We're so proud of Sam for taking on this immense challenge raising funds for UNICEF – a first for the Soccer Aid for Unicef campaign and at a crucial time for children. 'All over the world, children are facing devastating crises – from cuts to global aid, relentless war and climate change to hunger and disease – threatening their lives, their childhoods and their right to play.'
