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Jill returned to the scene of her greatest sporting triumph at Wembley Stadium to kick off her epic five-day 388-mile challenge
Former England footballer Jamie Redknapp and social media sensation GK Barry joined Jill at the Wembley start line to send her off in style
Comedian Katherine Ryan crashed the route to provide heavy-duty laughs
I'm A Celeb bestie Owen Warner dialed in via FaceTime to dish out long-distance moral support
Children from Two Mile Ash School joined Jill on a bike bus to mark her first day on the road
In total on her first day Jill will have cycled an incredible 112 miles from Wembley Stadium to Aston Villa's Villa Park – the equivalent of more than two ultramarathons
Money raised will help support Sport Relief-funded projects helping people feel safe, supported and secure when they need it most
The public can track Jill's progress live throughout the week and donate by visiting https://www.comicrelief.com/jillscott
Monday 8 June: Jill Scott’s Coming Home Challenge for Sport Relief burst into life this morning as the Lioness legend rode out of Wembley Stadium in the pouring rain to begin the first leg of her epic 388-mile cycle and run journey to Sunderland.
Braving the miserable weather, England and Liverpool footballer Jamie Redknapp and social media sensation GK Barry joined Jill this morning to sound the horn, along with family and friends, to see her off in style for the first leg of her journey - a daunting 112-mile cycle to Aston Villa's Villa Park.
Before setting off, Jill said: "I’m feeling a mix of nerves and excitement today. I didn’t sleep great last night, but I definitely had a burst of energy when I jumped out of bed this morning! My knees are a bit battered after years of football, but this is all for Sport Relief, and I want to raise as much money as possible. People always assume a football career is just about playing in massive stadiums like Wembley. For me, it started in youth clubs and community centres. This challenge is my way of giving back and saying a huge thank you.
"I’ve been cycling and running, though I haven’t hit these massive distances in training yet. But just like my football days, I’m relying on a team. Having the Rock Choir here, along with familiar faces like GK Barry and Jamie Redknapp, is a massive boost. Sport taught me everything about winning, losing, mental health, and physical health. Every child deserves those same opportunities, and that is exactly why we are doing this."
Not long into the opening miles, the challenge took an unexpected turn when comedy star Katherine Ryan surprised Jill along the route. Swapping the stage for a megaphone, Ryan trailed the cycling icon from the back of a support car, shouting hilarious motivational messages to inject some light relief into the mammoth first leg. The community spirit continued to build as crowds lined the streets to cheer Scott on, highlighted by a lively "bike bus" of pupils from Two Mile Ash Primary School who joined the convoy to pedal alongside the Euro 2022 winner.
The opening day is no warmup act as Jill puts pedal to the metal, cycling an astonishing 112 miles to Birmingham and Aston Villa's Villa Park – the equivalent of more than two ultramarathons in a single day. And as the country gears up for a huge summer of football, Jill's challenge is shining a light on the people and communities that help others feel safe, supported and secure. Over the next five days, Jill will travel through Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester and the North East, revisiting football clubs, stadiums and communities that helped shape her path to a glittering career with club and country before returning home to Sunderland.
The money raised through Jill's challenge will support Sport Relief-funded projects helping people feel safe, supported and secure when they need it most. Across the UK, these projects use the power of sport and community to bring people together, build confidence, and create opportunities for those facing difficult circumstances.
GK Barry said: "Despite the gloomy weather, it was an absolute no‑brainer to come down and see Jill off before she kicks off her gruelling journey. What she’s doing is unbelievable, 388 miles is wild, but it’s all for such a brilliant cause. Sport Relief helps so many people who really need support, and Jill putting herself through this shows just how much she cares. I’m so proud of her and buzzing to cheer her on all the way to Sunderland.”
Supporters can follow Jill's journey in real time throughout the week across Comic Relief channels, with live updates, celebrity appearances, 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 get behind Jill’s challenge and donate visit www.comicrelief.com/jillscott
ENDS
ASSETS AVAILABLE • Video content from the challenge including B-roll & social behind the scenes available here (opens in new window) • Daily photos available here(opens in new window)
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Comic Relief Press Office
0207 820 2500 (Press Office)
media@comicrelief.com(opens in new window)
www.comicrelief.com/media-centre(opens in new window)
Out of hours enquiries: 0207 820 2444
NOTES TO EDITORS
JILL’S ROUTE HOME
Day 1 (Monday 8 June) – 112-mile cycle from Wembley Stadium to Villa Park
Day 2 (Tuesday 9 June) – Cycle 99 miles from Villa Park to Everton Hill Dickinson Stadium
Day 3 (Wednesday 10 June) – Run 38 miles from Everton to Joie Stadium Manchester
Day 4 (Thursday 11 June) – cycle 111 miles Manchester to Bishop Auckland
Day 5 (Friday 12 June) – Run 28 miles from Bishop Auckland to Stadium of Light
Sport Relief
Sport Relief harnesses the power of sport and entertainment to bring people together across the UK, to get active, have fun and raise life-changing funds. Since launching in 2002, Sport Relief has raised £420million so far, thanks to the generous British public, and supported millions of lives in the UK and around the world.
For over 20 years, Comic Relief’s ‘Sport for Change’ funding has been supporting projects that are using sport to change lives and to help tackle issues including mental health, gender justice, unemployment, and social exclusion.
Sport Relief is an initiative of Comic Relief. For more information, visit comicrelief.com/sportrelief
About Comic Relief
Comic Relief is a UK charity that uses the power of entertainment and popular culture to work towards a vision of a just world free from poverty. We raise money to support organisations that are closest to the communities who can make change happen. We support work that will tackle the impact of poverty, injustice, conflict, and climate change in the UK and around the world.
Since launching in 1985, we have raised over £1.6 billion thanks to the huge generosity and kindness of the public and our partners.
For more information on our work, visit www.comicrelief.com(opens in new window) or follow @comicrelief on Facebook(opens in new window), Instagram(opens in new window), LinkedIn (opens in new window)and TikTok (opens in new window)for the latest content and news.
Comic Relief is the operating name of Charity Projects, registered charity in England & Wales (326568) and Scotland (SC039730).
