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Day Three sees Jill swap her bike for her running shoes as she tackles a lung busting 38-mile run from Liverpool to Manchester City's Joie Stadium, spurred on by fellow England legend Sir David Beckham
Olympic champion Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Sky Sports presenter Kyle Walker, DJ Adele Roberts, ultra runner Jonny Davies and para-athlete Milly Pickles all join Jill on the road
Jill Scott completed more than 200 miles in just two days after arriving at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool on Tuesday evening
The Lioness legend was welcomed across yesterday’s finish line by former Everton teammates ahead of England's FIFA Women's World Cup qualifier against Ukraine 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
Wednesday 10 June: Sir David Beckham has sent Jill Scott a timely message of support as the Lioness legend tackles the toughest day of her Sport Relief challenge so far.
Having already completed more than 200 miles of her epic journey home to Sunderland, Jill swapped two wheels for two feet, and a dodgy knee, as she took on a lung busting 38-mile run from Liverpool to Manchester City’s Joie Stadium.
After arriving at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium on Tuesday evening to a hero's welcome from supporters and former Everton teammates, Jill was back on the road this morning facing arguably her toughest test yet. After years of putting her body on the line for club and country, her well documented knee niggles now face a punishing one and half marathons in one day.
But she’s not going it alone – fellow England midfield legend Sir David Beckham was among the friendly faces giving Jill a boost along the way. In a special video message(opens in new window) shared during the today’s leg of the challenge, he praised her “seriously impressive” efforts and urged her on with a simple message: “You’ve got this.”
England legend Sir David Beckham said: “395 miles in five days is seriously impressive, but knowing you, your determination and spirit will carry you all the way from Wembley back home to Sunderland. It’s an amazing journey you’re undertaking, and such an important one too, raising money to help projects and communities that make such a difference in people’s lives. I know the whole country will be behind you every step and pedal of the way. You’ve got this.”
Jill’s reaction to Beckham’s good luck message: “Thank you Becks! Ah that’s so lovely, as if David Beckham knows about my challenge – that is crazy!”
Reflecting on the challenge ahead, Jill said: "Yesterday people asked me whether I'd rather take on another Bushtucker Trial or tackle another day of miles and, honestly, I think I might have been tempted by the Bushtucker Trial! At least those are over quite quickly."
"The legs are hurting today but we’ll keep going. I’ve only had five hours sleep, but I’ve had amazing support to help get me through it. I’m of the old school mindset where they used to say if you show your weakness the opposition will get one over you, so even though I’m smiling, I’m crying inside.”
The support from communities along the route continues to provide a huge boost. Those moments have become a defining feature of the challenge, with schoolchildren, families, football fans and local communities turning out across the country to spur Jill on mile after mile.
After being joined by former Lioness teammate Carly Telford during the closing stages of Day Two, Jill will once again be joined by a host of familiar faces on the road today. Olympic champion Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill will join Jill for part of the route, alongside Sky Sports presenter Kyle Walker, DJ Adele Roberts, ultra runner Jonny Davies and para-athlete Milly Pickles.
Olympic Champion Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill said: “Running alongside Jill today was incredibly inspiring. I know how tough it is to keep going when your body is screaming at you, especially when the knees start to flare up. I just told Jill to stay calm, break the miles down and trust her resilience — she’s one of the strongest athletes I’ve met. With just over two days to go, it’s all about managing the little moments and keeping that belief. I’m so proud of her and I know she’ll keep pushing all the way home to Sunderland.”
DJ Adele Roberts said: “I’ve had the most incredible morning with Jill, I am in awe of her. Mentally and physically, this is the biggest challenge I’ve ever seen anyone do – and she’s doing it with the biggest smile on her face. So many people cheering her on, thank you to everybody coming out and supporting her and donating, it really means a lot. We were talking a lot about the communities this is going to help. You’re helping people like me and Jill who’ve been in bad places and come through it, so keep those donations coming in – it really means the world to her.”
As the country gears up for a huge summer of football, Jill's challenge continues to celebrate the power of community, connection and belonging – and the people and organisations helping others feel supported and part of something bigger.
Over the course of the week, Jill will revisit 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 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
ENDS
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Wider selection of photos here (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
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).
