Four years after helping to bring football home with England’s historic Euros victory at Wembley Stadium, Jill Scott MBE is trading medals for miles in an epic challenge for Sport Relief.
Kicking off from Wembley Stadium on Monday 8 June, the former Lioness will embark on a relentless five-day long 388-mile test of endurance as she tackles a combination of running and cycling to reach her hometown of Sunderland to raise vital funds for Sport Relief projects which help provide safety, support and security for people when they most need it.
Travelling through Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester and the North East, Jill will return to the football clubs, stadiums and – most importantly – the people who helped shape her journey on and off the pitch, inspiring her path to a glittering career with both club and country. Along the way, Jill will be joined by famous faces and surprise guests who will help carry her through the physical and emotional highs and lows of her toughest test since hanging up her boots.
Jill’s journey will not be for the faint-hearted. She spins into action with an intense 112-mile cycle from Wembley to Villa Park, followed by a punishing 99-mile ride to Everton on Day 2. On the third day, she swaps her bike for running shoes to tackle a gruelling 38-mile ultramarathon into Manchester. Thursday raises the stakes further with a brutal, Tour de France-style 111-mile cycling stage into the North-East. Her homecoming is completed on Friday, with Jill set to triumphantly cross the finish line at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light following a 28-mile marathon finale.
Jill Scott said: “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 from my playing days which I need to look after, but I’m determined not to let that hold me back. It’s nerve wracking when I look at some of these distances, running marathons and cycling hundreds of miles back-to-back. Just like throughout my career, I know I’m going to need a community behind me to get me across that finish line.
“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.
“If people can get behind me, donate, and cheer me on, we can do something much bigger than just getting me across a finish line. My dodgy knees and niggly injuries are nothing compared to what so many people are going through right now. Together with Sport Relief, we can help people through the toughest times – and show everyone that no matter how hard things get, no one has to face it alone.”
Ahead of a massive summer of football that will once again unite fans across the country, Jill’s challenge will shine a light on the people and organisations helping others through some of the toughest moments in their lives.
Across the UK, Sport Relief-funded projects are using the power of sport to help people feel safe, supported and secure – creating inclusive spaces where people can build confidence, friendships and resilience, and access support when they need it most.
At least half of the funds raised through Jill’s Sport Relief challenge will directly 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.
Samir Patel, CEO of Comic Relief, said: “What Jill is attempting over these five days is truly extraordinary, and we are incredibly grateful for the immense heart and physical effort she is pouring into this challenge. This is set to be a massive national moment, and we can’t wait to watch the public rally behind one of our finest sporting heroes on the toughest journey of her life.
“Jill’s home-coming challenge is about far more than just physical endurance. It is about recognising the communities, support systems, and safe spaces that shape people’s lives and futures. Across the UK, far too many people are facing isolation, hardship, and uncertainty. The money Jill raises will fund vital projects that provide a lifeline, helping people feel safe, supported and secure.
“Jill has always shown us the power of teamwork, and now it is our turn to be her team. We’re asking the public to be right there with her every step of the way – whether by donating, tracking her progress, or lining the streets to cheer her all the way home.”
Supporters will be able to follow Jill’s journey in real time throughout the week across Comic Relief channels, with live updates, special guest appearances and cameos, behind-the-scenes moments and highlights from the road. A live tracking link will also allow supporters to follow Jill’s progress mile-by-mile as she makes her way north towards Sunderland.
To support Jill and track her journey, visit www.comicrelief.com/jillscott
