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Ant & Dec, Sir Chris Hoy, Greg James and Dame Laura Kenny are all getting behind Jill as she struggles through Day Four of her Sport Relief challenge
Today Jill will tackle a punishing 111-mile cycle from Manchester to Bishop Auckland, featuring some of the toughest climbs and terrain so far
After cycling and running three brutal days on the road, Jill Scott is closing in on home having already completed more than 240 miles of her 388-mile journey to Sunderland
Earlier today Jill received a major fundraising boost after Holland & Barrett donated £150,000 in support of her challenge
Money raised will help support Sport Relief-funded projects helping people build connections, confidence and a sense of belonging through the power of sport and community
The public can track Jill's progress in real time mile-by-mile and donate by visiting https://www.comicrelief.com/jillscott
Thursday 11 June: Battling relentless rain, punishing hills and mounting exhaustion, Jill Scott took on the toughest stage of her Sport Relief challenge so far as she jumped back in the saddle to take on a 111-mile ride from Manchester to Bishop Aukland. Having already cycled more than 200 miles from Wembley to Liverpool and completed a gruelling 38-mile ultramarathon on Wednesday from Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium to Manchester City's Joie Stadium, the Lioness legend is digging deep as she enters the final stages of her Coming Home Challenge for Sport Relief and closes in on Sunderland.
Less than 10 hours after hanging up her running shoes, Jill got back in the saddle and is today facing the most demanding terrain and conditions as she rides towards Bishop Auckland, in County Durham. With steep climbs, sore legs, and driving rain adding to the challenge, day four is shaping up to be the ultimate test of her endurance as the physical toll on the England hero becomes impossible to ignore.
Reflecting on the three days, Jill said: “There have been so many people beeping their horns, coming out to spur us on, and it really does help. I’m not going to lie – this morning I literally couldn’t get out of bed, my legs hurt that much. Having that support means everything, especially when you’re on the bike in weather like this. I can’t quite believe it’s June.
“In sport you’re taught that showing pain is a weakness, so I keep trying to hide it and smile through it. But this is completely different to any pain I’ve ever felt – and I retired four years ago, so I haven’t exactly been training since then. I just keep thinking about all the money we’re raising and how many people will benefit. But it’s fair to say I’m in pain now.”
If the hills are testing Jill physically, the support she's received along the way continues to lift her spirits. From schoolchildren and football fans to care home residents and workers cheering from rooftops, communities across the country have turned out in force to encourage her as she makes her way north.
And as the challenge enters its final stages, support continues to pour in from across the world of sport and entertainment. Having watched Jill tackle every challenge thrown at her in the jungle, Ant & Dec were among the famous faces cheering her on alongside Olympic champions Sir Chris Hoy and Dame Laura Kenny and broadcaster Radio 1 Breakfast presenter Greg James.
TV duo Ant & Dec said: “Hiya Jill, it’s us. Just wanted to say we hope things are going well and you’re not too sore. Keep going – you’ve got this. We know it’s a tough challenge… having to go to Sunderland – shame for you! We’re only joking. You’re nearly there, come on! Keep it up, Jill, and keep going.”
Radio 1 DJ Greg James said: “Why hello, Jill! We love you – please keep going. Today’s obviously going to be tough, but there’s nothing here you can’t tackle. Break it down into a few miles at a time, even twenty minutes at a time, and remember everyone’s behind you. You’ve done extraordinary things in your life, and you’ve already come so far. Don’t let this bit defeat you – there’s an amazing hero’s welcome waiting at the end. And for everyone watching, keep donating, those totals genuinely keep you motivated. Jill, remember why you’re doing this. We’ll see you soon – keep going!”
Sir Chris Hoy said: “Hi Jill, it’s Chris Hoy. Just a quick message to say keep going and well done on everything so far. Three hundred and eighty‑eight miles is an incredible challenge, but it’s going to be worth it – you’re making a huge difference for Sport Relief. Don’t think too far ahead, you’re doing a fantastic job. Well done!”
The support doesn't stop there. Earlier today, Jill received a major boost after Holland & Barrett donated an incredible £150,000 in support of the challenge, helping drive fundraising efforts. With Jill nearing mental and physical exhaustion, the incredible donation gave her a much-needed boost as she continues to push on, determined to complete the toughest challenge of her life and raise as much money as possible for Sport Relief.
Over the course of the week, Jill has been revisiting football clubs, stadiums and communities that helped shape her path to a glittering career with club and country, while raising vital funds for Sport Relief. The money raised through Jill's challenge will help more people access the communities, support networks and opportunities that can make a life-changing difference. Across the UK, Sport Relief-funded projects use the power of sport and community to bring people together, build confidence and help people feel connected, supported and part of something bigger.
Supporters can follow the final leg of Jill's journey in real time mile-by-mile across Comic Relief channels, along with live updates, celebrity appearances, behind-the-scenes moments and highlights from the road.
To get behind Jill’s challenge and donate, visit www.comicrelief.com/jillscott(opens in new window)
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FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
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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 (opens in new window)
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).
