Overview

• Thompson ran and cycled 260 miles over five days to deliver the match ball from London’s Stamford Bridge to Old Trafford despite tearing his calf on day one.
• His efforts generated £1,516,433.22 for UNICEF, surpassing the £1 million milestone and benefiting from matched donations by major backers.
• Celebrities including Pete Wicks, Olivia Colman and Orlando Bloom joined or encouraged Thompson along the route, and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer praised his resilience.
• A torn calf muscle now casts doubt on Thompson’s ability to play in the Soccer Aid match on June 15, though he has vowed to be there regardless of fitness.
• ITV1 and ITVX will air Sam Thompson’s Match Ball Mission documentary at 9pm on June 13, chronicling his charity journey.