With his route for the day only being revealed live on Heart Breakfast, Olly set off from the start line at Old Trafford, joined by John Bishop and a crowd of cheering well-wishers, live on ITV’s This Morning.
OLLY MURS
INTO THE UNKNOWN
FOR SOCCER AID
Olly Murs Takes on a 400km Challenge for Soccer Aid for UNICEF
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Soccer Aid for UNICEF, multi‑platinum singer and TV presenter Olly Murs is stepping away from the stage to take on one of the toughest challenges of his life. Setting off on Monday 11 May, he’ll cover a gruelling 400km across five days, all to raise vital funds for children around the world.
Help Support Olly’s Soccer Aid challenge for children around the world by donating now. Every £1 you donate – up to £6 million – will be doubled thanks to the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, so you can make double the difference for children.
A Five‑Day Test of Endurance
Olly will run, row and ride his way from Manchester’s Old Trafford – where Soccer Aid first kicked off – to London Stadium, the home of this year’s milestone match.
The challenge spans five brutal days, each one testing him in new ways – across tough terrain, punishing climbs and intimidating stretches of water. It’s a physical and mental test unlike anything he’s faced before.
No Route, No Warning, No Easy Days
To make things even tougher, Olly won’t know each day’s route until moments before he sets off, with details revealed live on national radio. With no time to prepare, every day brings a new unknown – and nowhere to hide.
Why Olly is taking on the Challenge
Olly first pulled on his boots for Soccer Aid in 2010, driven by pure competitive spirit. Years on, as a seasoned Soccer Aid veteran, a proud new dad and carrying a knee injury, he’s taking on this challenge at a very different point in his life.
But his determination remains as strong as ever. By pushing himself far beyond his comfort zone, Olly is raising vital funds for UNICEF – helping protect play for every child around the world.
Support Olly’s Challenge and Help Children Thrive
By supporting Olly’s Soccer Aid for UNICEF challenge, you can help give children around the world the chance to grow up safe, healthy and able to play.
Every donation helps UNICEF reach children with the support they need – from healthcare and nutrition to protection, education and safe spaces to play.
Donate to support children through Soccer Aid for UNICEF.
Follow Olly’s journey:
Olly has taken on this gruelling challenge to raise as much money for children as possible, inspired by his UNICEF trip to Romania. He visited the Pipera Primo Hub in northern Bucharest, a UNICEF-funded centre supporting Ukrainian children, who have been displaced by conflict, and Romanian children, providing them with access to quality education services, therapeutic music and sport sessions, so they continue to learn, play and thrive.
We are on Instagram
Steepest day? Smashed it. 💪 Time for an ice bath, Olly… Tomorrow, you’re going back into the unknown!
Support Olly, click the link in our bio.
Day 1 of Olly Murs: Into the Unknown done ✅
@norqain`s Moment of the Day: Here’s Olly taking on his first run of this gruelling challenge. Tackling the steepest point in the Peaks via the ancient Doctor’s Gate path, and across the Kinder Scout plateau, all the way to the Pennine Way.
What will tomorrow have in store for Olly? 🤔
#norqain #socceraid
“My legs feel like rocks.” 😅
We weren’t joking when we said today would be an uphill struggle. But your support is spurring Olly on as he heads Into The Unknown for Soccer Aid. 💙
However hard it gets, he’ll be pushing through because he’s seen first-hand how Soccer Aid for UNICEF changes children’s lives worldwide.
Donate now, link in bio.
Nothing says into the unknown like a start line surprise @johnbish100 🎉
And he’s off - Olly’s epic 400km challenge begins! 🚴 Olly is running, riding and rowing his way from Old Trafford to London Stadium, without knowing what lies in store each day, all to raise money for UNICEF and protect play for every child.
Every donation will be doubled – up to £6 million – thanks to the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation. Donate now, head to the link in our bio.
Stay tuned each day on socials, @thismorning and @thisisheart as Olly heads into the unknown, and look out for our moment of the day, thanks to our Official Timekeeper @norqain
Thank you to our partners @cherycars_uk for providing all the support vehicles for the challenge.
Olly Murs is swapping the stage for an epic 400km challenge that will test his physical and mental strength like never before.
Today is steep, it`s gruelling... and it`s just day one for Olly! 🏔️ After heading south from Old Trafford by bike, he`ll be leaving the wheels behind at Glossop. Then he`ll head off-road on foot as he attempts to tackle the steepest point in the Peaks!
To donate and support Olly`s challenge attempt, visit our bio. Every £1 you donate will be doubled – up to £6 million – thanks to the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation.
Exciting news! Your donation now has double the impact.
This year, the Children`s Investment Fund Foundation will double every donation made to Soccer Aid for UNICEF – up to £6million.
Help protect play for every child, head to socceraid.org.uk and get involved.
20 days until Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2026 ⏱️💙
Counting down with our Official Timekeeper, @Norqain ⌚️
Chloe Burrows is ready - are you? 💙
London Stadium, 31st May - be there 🎟️
Midfield enforcer added ✋
Nemanja Matic will make his Soccer Aid for UNICEF debut at London Stadium on Sunday 31st May.
Tickets available now! 🎟️
2021 memories 💙
An iconic Soccer Aid for UNICEF night at the Etihad✨
Be part of our 20th anniversary year - get your tickets today 🎟️
10 weeks of training all leads to this moment. Tomorrow, Olly goes Into the Unknown for Soccer Aid for UNICEF. See you at the start line.
Support Olly by donating at unicef.uk/challenge2026 and following along on socials 💙
