Ben Affleck - J.Lo And Affleck Give Diddy A Helping Hand

Rap mogul SEAN 'P DIDDY' COMBS' bid to run the New York City Marathon today (02NOV03) has been given an unexpected cash boost - by his ex-girlfriend JENNIFER LOPEZ and her fiance BEN AFFLECK.

Combs has received bundles of cash from celebrities supporting his gruelling 26.2-mile (42.2 kilometre) run, which he hopes will raise $1 million (GBP625,000) for New York City's children and schools.

Among those who have handed over cash are rapper BUSTA RHYMES, who donated $20,000 (GBP12,500) and BRUCE WILLIS and MICHAEL JORDAN, who each gave the BAD BOY boss $50,000 (GBP31,250).

But the biggest surprise of all came from J.LO, who split with Combs in 2001 before going on to marry - and divorce - dancer CRIS JUDD.

Diddy says, "Ben and Jen gave me $78,000 (GBP48,750) collectively. Jennifer pledged me 1,000 a mile, which came to $26,000. Thank you Jen, I appreciate that.

"And then I immediately got on the phone with hubby and I was like, 'Wifey just donated 26,000, what ya gonna do big boy?'"

Diddy's bold move paid off - The DAREDEVIL hunk agreed to hand over $48,000 from his fortune.