Clubs backing charity's CPR challenge

Reading and Wycombe Wanderers are backing a charity's lifesaving 24-hour challenge and calling on their fans and businesses to take part.

They are supporting the South Central Ambulance Service's charity CPR-A-THON which will be held at their respective grounds days before their League One match later this month.

The charity wants teams of up to 10 people to take turns performing 30 chest compressions on a CPR manikin before handing over to a team member, with them continuing their efforts for 24 hours.

Teams can take on the challenge at Reading's Select Car Leasing Stadium, Wycombe's Adams Park and at Oxford's King's Centre.

Teams will start from 10:00 on 24 September and end at 10:00 on 25 September, with the Royals and the Chairboys meeting at Adams Park at 15:00 on 26 September.

Each team member is asked to raise a minimum of £150, with a fundraising target of £1,500 for a team of 10.

Sarah Callaghan, the charity's volunteer manager, said it wants the challenge to be something that "brings communities together".

She added: "This isn't just a fundraising challenge. It's about giving people the confidence to act when someone suffers a cardiac arrest.

"Every compression counts, and by taking part people will learn and practice a skill that could one day save the life of a colleague, friend or loved one."

Neil Peters, managing director at Reading FC, said: "There may be plenty of rivalry on the pitch, but when it comes to saving lives, Reading and Wycombe are firmly on the same team."

Wycombe's head of media Matt Cecil said: "We're calling on businesses and Chairboys supporters to get involved, put a team together and come to Adams Park to take on a challenge that will not only raise money for an important local charity, but will also give people skills that could save a life."