Featured Image Credit: Instagram/@samthompsonuk
Topics: Celebrity
Jess Hardiman
TV star Sam Thompson has finally finished his mammoth 260-mile challenge, having burst into tears as he crossed the finish line at Old Trafford in Greater Manchester.
The former Made in Chelsea favourite ran and cycled to the Manchester United football stadium all the way from Stamford Bridge, the home of Chelsea Football Club.
The ambitious Match Ball Mission is raising money for UNICEF to ‘help ensure children everywhere have the chance to play’.
“I’ve witnessed how a child’s life can be transformed by your donations,” he said in a statement ahead of the challenge.
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“Whatever you’re able to give will reach children all over the world, giving them the chance to grow up safe, healthy and able to play.”
The tough feat ended up being even harder than expected after Sam battled not only the Great British weather, but also a string of serious injuries.
He ended up crossing the finish line with a painful-looking limp, running into the arms of his sister Louise Thompson – also known for her stint on Made in Chelsea - as the crowds cheers him on.
Ahead of his grand finale, Louise shared an Instagram video to show fans the food package she was pulling together for him.
Along with a few inevitable additions like sweets, there was one notable item that looked a little out of place amongst the pile of tasty snacks.
The Cheesestrings, Frubes and fizzy laces certainly resembled more of a child’s lunchbox than an athlete’s strict diet, but it’s the punnet of closed cup mushrooms that may have raised a few eyebrows.
“So I’ve just ordered a few of Sam’s favourite things, and this is resembling his fridge,” Louise said.
“I don’t know why, there’s something about it that’s cracked me up so much because this freak eats raw, cold mushrooms like they’re candy!”
I mean, each to their own and all that - at least it's healthy!
Louise added: “He has an addiction to Peperami and Cheesestrings, Babybels.”
She also said she planned to grab a face mask and foot mask so that she could ‘create a little hamper’ for her brother, and hoped to head into central Manchester to pick up some fresh baked goodies.
UNICEF said that every donation for Sam's challenge would be tripled, thanks to the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, matching donations up to £5 million, and an anonymous donor who is also matching donations up to £500,000.