Former Lioness Jill Scott has said she is “honoured” to take part in a five-day cycle and marathon challenge for Sport Relief.
She is set to take on a gruelling 388-mile cycle and marathon journey from Wembley Stadium to Sunderland’s Stadium of Light.
The five-day challenge begins on Monday, June 8, and will end on Friday, June 12.
Scott, who won 161 caps for England and was part of the Lionesses’ historic Euro 2022 victory, has said she feels “honoured” to have been chosen for the fundraiser.
Jill Scott to run and cycle 388 miles for Sport Relief
She said: “It’s a real honour that they’ve asked me to do it.
“I feel honoured, like out of so many people that could have been chosen for this, I’m the one that gets to go out there and try and raise as much money as possible.
“I’m 100% committed to finishing it, because I really want to try and make a difference to people.”
Her route will include stops at locations central to her football career, including Aston Villa, Everton, Manchester City and Bishop Auckland FC Ladies.
Along the way, Scott will meet people involved in Sport Relief-funded projects to see first-hand the impact of sport on individuals and communities.
She has spoken about the vital role of youth clubs and access to sport during her own childhood, crediting coaches and PE teachers for helping her reach the highest level of the game.
She said: “(As) a young girl, I really had to rely on coaches and PE teachers and people like that to guide me on my journey of wanting to be a footballer.
“I was so lucky that I was offered safe spaces to play football and I was offered these incredible teachers and coaches who I could trust and who could help me, but there’s so many young people that don’t get those opportunities.”
Scott highlighted the sense of purpose and belonging that Sport Relief projects offer to young people.
She said: “A lot of young people say they feel lonely, they feel disconnected.
“That’s definitely something that Sport Relief really do help with – giving kids a sense of belonging, a purpose.”
She urged the public to support the campaign in any way they can.
She said: “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.
“I never even thought it was going to be an opportunity.”
Scott also reflected on the changes she has seen in women’s football during her career.
She said: “Times have definitely changed, definitely.
“Even when I went and visited this project in Southwick Snyp (Southwick Neighbourhood Youth Project in Sunderland), there was the same amount of girls playing as there was boys and I didn’t even really think about it until I walked away.
“But the fact that I didn’t think about it, I was like, that’s how far we’ve come.”
She added: “I love that there’s more opportunities for girls as well as boys in the footballing world, but even outside of that as well, just kind of kids having the opportunities to make new friends, and that’s what these hubs really do create.”
Scott’s challenge begins with a 112-mile ride from Wembley to Villa Park, followed by a 99-mile ride to Everton.
On day three, she will complete a 38-mile run into Manchester, then cycle 111 miles toward the North East.
The challenge finishes with a 28-mile marathon to Sunderland’s Stadium of Light.
