OLLY MURS:
THE TOUGHEST BIRTHDAY

Olly Murs has an unforgettable birthday as he completes the Toughest day of brutal challenge for Soccer Aid for UNICEF after emotional reunion with wife Amelia

On Thursday 14 May, Olly’s 42nd birthday, he found out live on Heart Breakfast, Amanda Holden and Jamie Theakston that his challenge today would be a day of surprises – meaning Olly won’t find out what’s coming next until moments before he has to do it! He started his day by rowing over 5km along the Grand Union Canal from Nether Heyford to Stoke Bruerne.

Olly had a very emotional reunion with his wife Amelia, and This Morning’s Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard revealed to Olly that he had raised over £500,000. He also found out his next leg would be a 19km ride from Stoke Bruerne to Wolverton, alongside his best friend Mark Wright.

After finishing his cycle with him, Mark said: “He is an absolute trooper. The terrain was hard. It was hilly. There were cracks. Every minute I was cycling I was thinking what a guy Olly is. He does it because he’s a special person that has seen where the vital funds raised for UNICEF go to. He’s seen it first hand. And that’s why he’s pushing so hard and doing something so out there to show you how much it means to him if you donate.”

Arriving into Wolverton, Heart’s Matt Wilkinson broke the news to Olly that his time on the saddle was not over and he had another 49km to go, through Milton Keynes and Dunstable, ending in Redbourn.

Exhausted from his rowing and riding, Olly was hoping to finish in Redbourn, but in true into the unknown style, Heart’s JK and Kelly Brook revealed that Olly had a 8km run to go to reach his final point in St Albans, which he did alongside British sprinter Adam Gemili and, later, a local running club.

Speaking  about the day, Olly said: “The thing that was so brutal about it was of course doing all three but it was the fact I didn’t know when I was doing them. It’s been brutal today. My quad is so sore. I felt it go about 4 or 5km so I’m going to have to get that looked at. Can’t believe this is how I’m celebrating my 42nd birthday – something I’ll never forget!”

Adam Gemili, said: “What he’s done is phenomenal. His body is tired, he’s being doing some crazy, crazy work all week. His endurance is insane. I can’t really believe it… if people at home want to donate, they really should. Your money goes directly to helping children around the world. If you’re debating it – and have an extra £1 here or £2 there – every little matters. Get your phone out, donate, and raise money for a good cause.”

With sore legs and aching arms it really has been a birthday Olly will never forget. Get behind him during this brutal week and make a donation today! 

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.