Sunderland's Jill Scott embarks on mammoth home coming 388 mile journey to Stadium of Light for Sport Relief
“I would just urge people, if you are in a position to help, please make sure you do”
Former Lioness Euros winner and Sunderland footballing legend Jill Scott has today (June 8) set off on her mammoth 388-mile Sport Relief fundraising challenge which will finish in her home city at the Stadium of Light.
The former Sunderland AFC, Aston Villa, Everton and Manchester City midfielder kicked off the fundraising challenge at London’s Wembley Stadium, the site of her 2022 Euros win with the Lionesses, and will make her way North, revisiting the football clubs, stadiums and people that helped shape her journey.
Today (June 8) Jill embarked on a 112 mile cycle ride to Villa Park. The 2022 ‘I’m a Celebrity’ winner will then tackle a 99-mile ride to Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium on day two, followed by a 38-mile run into Manchester on day three.
Jill will then take on a Tour de France-style 111-mile cycle to the North East on Thursday before completing the challenge on Friday June 12 with a 28-mile running marathon finish to the Stadium of Light.
Speaking ahead of the challenge, the 161 times capped Lioness said: “This challenge means so much to me because my journey started long before my days at Wembley. It started with people believing in me, supporting me and giving me opportunities when I needed them most. One thing football taught me is that you never get through difficult moments alone.
“When things get tough, it’s the people around you who carry you through, and that’s exactly what this challenge is about.
“I honestly think this is going to push me further than anything I ever did in football. I’ve got a dodgy knee, and a few niggly old injuries which I need to look after, but I'm determined not to let that hold me back.”
At least half the funds raised will fund Sport for Change projects in local communities – including initiatives that use football, running, cycling and boxing to create safe spaces for people young and old, bringing them together and providing safety and security when it’s needed most – with remaining funds invested in Comic Relief's wider work.
You can track Jill’s progress and donate to her cause via the comic relief website.
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.”