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Emotional Sam Thompson reveals consequences of agonising 260-mile Soccer Aid challenge as he admits he ‘didn’t think he’d make it’ to the finish after horrific calf injury

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Sam Thompson openly shared that he doubted he would complete his arduous 260-mile Soccer Aid endeavor, but managed to cross the finish line on Friday during his five-day trek.

32-year-old celebrity from Made In Chelsea experienced a calf injury during the initial day of an arduous endeavor, which successfully accumulated £1.5 million for Unicef. Despite enduring agony, he persevered and eventually completed the task in Manchester.

After just wrapping up his task, Sam confided in TopMob that he broke down and wept in the physio’s embrace upon hearing he might not be able to finish the challenge.

The star’s duty involved carrying the soccer ball over a distance of 260 miles from London to Manchester, which would essentially mean running a marathon every day.

As Sam crossed the finish line with obvious joy, it turned out that his decision to push through his injury might prevent him from participating in the Soccer Aid game scheduled for June 15th, where he was expected to play.

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Recalling the instance when he injured his calf mere 2 kilometers from the end of the first day, Sam commented: ‘That initial day was incredibly challenging as I had psychologically prepared myself to think, “Now you’re about to really push yourself in this.”‘

2 kilometers shy of crossing the inaugural marathon’s finish line, a sudden strain in my calf struck, and it left me in tears.

During my session with the kind physiotherapist, I found myself weeping in his arms, saying, “I can’t do this,” to which he replied, “I’m sorry, but there’s nothing I can say to make it better. You won’t be able to bear weight on it, and recovery will take about three and a half to four weeks. I wish I had better news for you.” Overwhelmed by the situation, I broke down in tears. That day was particularly tough.

Sam, upon reaching the end, described it as a whirlwind moment. He also acknowledged and expressed gratitude towards his dear friends and family members who stood by him during the arduous challenge.

During the trip, the star was greeted by friends like Pete Wicks, Chris Hughes, Josh JP Patterson, and Joel Dommett, along with his brother-in-law Ryan Libbey, who accompanied him on certain sections of the journey.

In addition, Sam was flooded with video greetings from prominent figures, among them was Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

He expressed: ‘Although it may seem overly sentimental, let me share this thought nonetheless. If people remember anything from this, apart from Unicef being paramount, it would be the potency of friendship. Yes, it might sound quite emotional, but it truly is.’

‘I am incredibly lucky to have the circle of friends and family I have around me.

Although I may appear fragile or emotional at times, it’s the support of those around me that helps me grow stronger. In reality, I might be more resilient than I seem.

Experiencing such a captivating moment, as I barely touched my phone during this time, allowing me to witness genuine human behavior through their acts of generosity in donations.

As they began soaring aloft, it stirred deep emotions within me, and witnessing the depth of love displayed, not only was it heartwarming but also a profound experience, all in support of an extraordinary cause.

In essence, I’m merely an instrument; those who undertake these tasks are simply instruments for something truly remarkable and much larger than themselves.

It’s quite likely that another event will take place, organized by UNICEF, and it will once again be focused on charitable causes. I believe this is one of the most captivating aspects of such events, as people are drawn together by their support for UNICEF’s initiatives. In essence, we simply aimed to highlight their noble work.

Later on, Sam revealed that due to his injury, he might not play on the field with the England team during the Soccer Aid game next Sunday. However, he intends to participate in the training sessions alongside the players and manager Tyson Fury.

He mentioned that he might not be able to participate in the game, yet he intends to remain involved. Therefore, he will attend practice sessions, and he plans on being a nuisance, similar to his behavior when he’s there.

I proposed an idea for us to run a small initiative where I might become the assistant manager. This way, I could be right beside Tyson Fury on the sidelines. If given the chance, it would truly feel like a dream come true!

On a Friday, Sam emotionally collapsed after successfully finishing his demanding Soccer Aid task, managing to gather £1.5 million for Unicef.

In his last strides, boosted by numerous star friends throughout his journey, Sam found himself enveloped by his emotional sister Louise, her partner Ryan Libbey, and their child, Leo.

After learning that he had managed to donate an impressive £1,516,433 to Unicef over the course of a five-day trip, the star found it difficult to conceal his astonishment.

After wrapping up the challenge, Sam remarked: “I’ve got no strength left in my legs, but I’m feeling great! I’m incredibly thankful that you all showed up; I honestly didn’t expect anyone to be here.

To each and every one of our generous donors, let me express my heartfelt appreciation once more – your acts of kindness are nothing short of heroic! The funds you’ve provided will make a world of difference for countless children, and I cannot thank you enough.

Immediately following the completion of the contest, Pete Wicks, Sam’s friend, posted an effusive tribute to him on his Instagram Stories.

Sharing a photo of the unexpected moment that occurred on Wednesday, he titled the post: “Amazingly, he accomplished it! I can’t express enough pride, for you have consistently been ‘The One’.

On Monday, Sam resumed at Stamford Bridge in London, then journeyed to Stadium MK in Milton Keynes for the first time, where unfortunately, he sustained a nasty injury.

Following doctors’ recommendations, he went for a bike ride on the second day, heading towards Villa Park in Birmingham. Later, he journeyed to Vale Park in Stoke-on-Trent on Wednesday.

On Thursday, I set off, making my journey to the legendary Goodison Park in Liverpool, followed by a visit to Old Trafford on the closing day.

On the last day of his challenge, it brought great joy to Sam when Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer sent him a message of encouragement.

During an arduous trek, he managed to captivate the nation, despite having endured a calf injury that forced him to persevere through excruciating pain in order to accomplish his objective.

Host Fleur East told Sam: ‘We’ve got a very special message for you from the Prime Minister.’

To which the elated star responded: ‘Shut up! No you don’t! The Prime Minister!’

Sir Keir’s message read: ‘My message to him is he’s doing a fantastic job. 

I’ve watched videos showing him running, even with the mentioned injury, and I must admit it’s incredibly inspiring. He’s truly doing an outstanding job, which is a testament to his determination. All my respect goes out to him.

Everyone appreciates his efforts; they’re truly demanding, especially considering the injury. Soccer Aid is always a worthy cause, so I’ll do whatever I can to lend my support to him.

Sam found himself utterly astonished upon receiving the message, calling it one of the most mind-blowing events he had ever witnessed.

‘He knows my name! I can’t imagine Sir Keir looking at my ‘gram,’ he added. 

The surprises didn’t end there, as Sam received encouragement from various celebrities such as Diversity, Olympic athlete Greg Rutherford, and actress Olivia Colman as well.

‘Sam, I’ve been watching your incredible challenge,’ Peep Show star Olivia said. 

Wow, what a challenging task you’ve taken on! You’re absolutely acing it. The entire team at UNICEF cheers for your success. I urge everyone tuning in to join us in supporting you and making a donation. Sending you heaps of love, you’re simply amazing!

On the last stretch of the grueling test I was following, I journeyed from Goodison Park in the heart of Liverpool all the way up to my ultimate goal: Old Trafford, nestled within Manchester.

Despite his leg being severely injured, the reality television personality managed to finish the fourth stage of their mission on Thursday, journeying from Stoke-on-Trent to Merseyside.

Before starting off with TopMob, the Made In Chelsea actor mentioned: ‘This day is quite challenging. It’s drizzling, it’s freezing, it’s gusty. My leg is really hurting, but we press on regardless.’

Yesterday, we reached the midpoint, and what a fantastic day it was! I need to make an effort to maintain that positive frame of mind and energy.

Today, it’s a matter of taking things one step at a time. What keeps my spirits high is the knowledge that we’ve managed to gather more than half a million pounds – a fact that can melt even the coldest hearts!

The affection and generosity shown by many have been overwhelming, and I am incredibly grateful that people are contributing to UNICEF’s global initiatives for children. I’ve personally witnessed its impact, and I know just how significant a change this will bring.

Just as Sam was about to depart, a pleasant surprise came his way from a dear friend, Josh ‘JP’ Patterson, who joined him for the initial stretch on Thursday.

Josh expressed: “I wish to stand by my friend during what might be one of his most delicate moments in life, as he’s taking part for a truly magnificent cause. I aim to assist in raising as much funds as we can manage, so that when he reaches the finish line, he feels confident knowing he’s given it his absolute all.

He’s been extraordinary! Despite his self-doubts, I really hope he realizes after this experience that ‘he’s the one’.

Following the finish line, it was revealed to the resolute individual that they had surpassed the £1 million threshold during the race.

He replied: “Absolutely! A thousand thanks for one and all!! Let’s get going!! I’m overjoyed, truly appreciative. Gratitude to every single soul.

I’ve made this point earlier and I’ll do so again: Each one of them is a heroic figure, as they’re willing to part with their own money.”

In this version, the original message remains intact but uses more natural, conversational language to convey it. The focus on the action taken by these individuals (putting their hands in their pockets) has been replaced by an emphasis on their heroic nature and willingness to part with their own money.

Following the tough third day of his endeavor, Sam received an encouraging note from his good friend Jamie Laing.

Following his own challenging charity marathon, Jamie, aged 36, could empathize perfectly with Sam as he neared the midpoint of his race.

Back in March, I embarked on a jaw-dropping journey across the nation, running non-stop for five straight days and covering a staggering 30 miles each day! Guess who was right there with me, cheering me on from every corner of the country? The whole blasted nation! And as if that wasn’t inspiring enough, I managed to raise an unbelievable £2.3 million for charity along the way – talk about a dream come true for this die-hard fan!

‘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, ‘Hey, I’ve been through a similar experience myself. It’s tough, I know, and it feels like your body is urging you to quit. But remember, every second, just keep pushing forward. Take one step at a time, don’t slow down.’

Sam choked back emotions, saying, “Your appearance a moment ago genuinely brightened my day. Watching you run used to be a source of inspiration for me.

‘The fact that you’re just giving me your energy and your time man, I’m so grateful.’

As your devoted supporter, allow me to express my sincere admiration: You’re making an exceptional choice, one that serves a noble purpose. Let us continue on this journey together, for I hold deep affection and respect for you. The crowd stands united behind you, cheering you on, recognizing your greatness.

‘You got this Sam!’, Jamie’s wife Sophie Habboo cheered in the background.

On the third day, he embarked from Villa Park in Birmingham, then journeyed through Walsall, Cannock, Stafford, and Stone before reaching Vale Park in Stoke-on-Trent.

On Wednesday, Pete Wicks playfully mimicked Zara McDermott’s well-known “you can!” scene from Made In Chelsea while cheering Sam on during his challenge.

A notable instance from the TV show “Made in Chelsea” involves Zara, who pleads for Sam’s forgiveness following her infidelity while participating in Celebrity X Factor in 2019. This scene has since become quite famous.

This year, Zara and I parted ways permanently, while Zara has since moved forward with One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson.

On their Staying Relevant Podcast TikTok account, a clip was posted showing Pete encouraging Sam by shouting “Go for it!” This exclamation caused Sam to burst into laughter while riding his bicycle.

The sign said: “You’ve got this… You really CAN!” – just like how Zara urged Sam to forgive her long-ago indiscretions, Pete shouted it with the same conviction.

In the morning, Sam found himself overwhelmed with emotion when his friend Pete popped up unexpectedly to celebrate Sam reaching the halfway point of his particularly difficult ordeal.

As someone who recently suffered a substantial injury to my calf earlier in the week, I embraced my dear friend, who is 37 years old, and expressed that this long-awaited reunion genuinely made my day when speaking with TopMob.

As Pete approached, Sam was overjoyed to spot a familiar face on the third day of his grueling 49-mile bike and run marathon.

A well-known television personality was asked to embark on an arduous 260-mile trip, which included traveling by bike and walking, to transport the soccer match ball to its destination at Old Trafford. The goal of this journey was to gather substantial donations for Unicef.

He informed TopMob, “Spotting Pete midway truly brightened my day. Despite the severe discomfort, it brought a grin to my face.

Before adding: ‘Please donate if you can, I’m so grateful for all the support’.

On Tuesday, Sam was joined by his pal Chris Hughes for the second day of his endurance challenge.

JoJo Siwa, Chris’ new girlfriend, took the time to encourage him by sending a motivational message his way.

On Hits Radio, the young artist, aged 22, expressed to Sam: “Regardless of how you tire or exhaust yourself, push through and keep going!

You’ll feel quite proud of yourself in five days, whether you succeed or not, you might think, ‘I wish I had given it my all.’ So, avoid that feeling of what-if and give it your best shot.

On Tuesday’s edition of This Morning, Chris made an appearance and spent some time with Sam during the broadcast, just hours following a painful calf injury.

Observing a somber Sam, Chris conveyed to the audience: “He’s feeling emotional and distressed, and it’s difficult for him as he must continue and the situation is unyielding.

In my journey, I’ve found myself awestruck by your resilience, Sam. As I navigate my own challenges, witnessing your unwavering determination to continue your inspiring voyage – one that has raised such a significant amount of funds – is truly warrior-like. It’s a humbling experience, knowing that while I pause, you press on, making an impact that is nothing short of extraordinary.

Could you please consider making a donation? I’ve witnessed Sam’s struggles firsthand, seen his tears, and admired his resilience and determination. Let’s continue to stand by him!

On the eve of Monday, Pete expressed a heartfelt appreciation for his friend on Instagram, stating: ‘Tomorrow, this individual takes on a demanding mental and physical endeavor for a worthy cause at Unicef.’

Friend, I couldn’t feel more proud of you, as a companion, a sibling, and as an individual. You are going to challenge yourself immensely, and I’m eagerly anticipating the moment when you accomplish this enormous feat. I’m well aware of the effort you’ve invested, and I trust that it’s for all the right reasons.

He added: ‘Just a heads-up, you have all your friends and family cheering you on every step of the way. I pray that the nation will join them in supporting you through donations and encouragement as they follow your journey. You are an inspiration to me and countless others, and the man you’ve become this year has earned my utmost admiration. Good luck, my friend, I believe in you.’

Despite a strained calf, and having received clearance from the medical staff, the reality TV personality was resolute about finishing the task at hand.

He expressed: “This task is the toughest I’ve encountered throughout my life. It appears I’ve hurt my calf, making it quite challenging for me to run.

Despite any obstacles, I will persist in my journey, using both my feet and bicycle pedals. Regardless of the length or difficulty, I am determined to reach the finish line by Friday. My motivation for this endeavor remains unaltered. I fervently hope that people are inspired by what I’m doing for UNICEF, digging deep in their hearts to support this cause and embracing this challenge with me.

In regards to Sam’s leg injury, roadside physio Gary Lewin commented: ‘Sam sustained a serious calf injury. Yesterday, we eased the strain on it by having him cycle instead, and later in the day, he reported feeling somewhat better. As a result, we attempted some walking.’

‘He shouldn’t bear too much load on it. Today, let’s begin with a walk and then consider cycling to see how things progress. He’s in capable hands, and the medical recommendation is for him to carry on as planned.’

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2025-06-06 16:20

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