People urged to line streets as SAFC and city welcomes arrival of Jill Scott on epic charity challenge
“It would be fantastic to see everyone turning out to line the streets and cheer Jill on”
People are being urged to line the streets of Sunderland this Friday afternoon (June 12) to cheer on legendary Lioness Jill Scot MBE, when she arrives in her home city on the final leg of her epic 388 mile challenge for Sport Relief.
The Sunderland footballing icon's Coming Home Challenge will see her running and cycling from Wembley, the scene of her historic 2022 Euros win with the Lionesses, which she began on Monday 8 June, and finishing where it all began at the home of Sunderland AFC, the Stadium of Light, on Friday 12 June.
Jill’s journey will take her through Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester - homes to some of the stand-out teams and stadiums from her career - with every mile of the five day endurance test raising money for Sport Relief, which uses the power of sport to help provide safety, support and security to people when they need it most.
With an estimated arrival in Sunderland of between 4.30pm to 5pm on Friday afternoon, Jill's route sees her running and cycling through Houghton and down the A690 Durham Road to Keel Square, then heading across the river over Keel Crossing and through Roker, before reaching the finish line in front of the Stadium of Light.
City residents are being encouraged to line the streets to help push Jill to the the finishing line. Whilst timings may vary, you can check out Jill’s progress via the journey tracker on her funding page, to ensure you arrive at the correct time.
Speaking yesterday (June 8) before embarking on her 112 mile cycle ride from Wembley to Villa Park, Jill said: “A lot of young people say they feel lonely, they feel disconnected. That’s definitely something that Sport Relief really does help with – giving kids a sense of belonging, a purpose.
“I would just urge people, if you are in a position to help, please make sure you do, because without those green spaces, without those youth clubs, I would never have gone on to fulfil my dreams of playing for England.”
Urging residents to turn out to welcome Jill home, Councillor Ciera Hudspith, Sunderland City Council's Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Heritage, said: "It would be fantastic to see everyone turning out to line the streets and cheer Jill on, on the last few miles of her epic fund-raising journey home.
"We're immensely proud of Jill and everything she has achieved. She's not just a sporting icon but a Sunderland one too, who continues to give back to the place she came from and to be an inspiration to youngsters across our city who dare to dream of going on to bigger and better things."
Sunderland AFC is also looking forward to welcoming Jill’s arrival at the Stadium of Light.
SAFC CEO Tom Burwell, said: "Everyone at Sunderland AFC is looking forward to welcoming Jill back to the Stadium of Light as she completes her remarkable Coming Home Challenge.
"Jill is one of Sunderland's most celebrated sporting figures and a fantastic ambassador for our city. Taking on a 388-mile journey from Wembley to Sunderland for Sport Relief is an incredible achievement, and we're immensely proud to see her using her platform to support such an important cause.
"We hope supporters and residents will join us in giving Jill the welcome home she deserves as she reaches the finish line and celebrates what promises to be a truly inspiring accomplishment."
You can donate to Jill’s cause via her Comic Relief funding page.