TWO staff members of The Abbey School are included in the Hockey for Heroes women’s squad who are playing three games in Reading today (Thursday).

But the matches are only part of a hectic day for Director of Sport Lara Wilkinson and PE graduate Aurora Mears as they will also be undertaking physically-demanding exercises.

The ‘home’ visit to Sonning Lane is part of Operation Endurance, which takes in 28 games of hockey and eight military endurance tasks in the space of eight days.

The charity initiative started in Glasgow last weekend and concludes at Canterbury this Saturday. The representative squad also includes Katherine Pike, the Sonning and former Reading player.

They will be completing a five-mile stretcher carry in Windsor Great Park before leaving for the Reading ground.

Their first game is against Reading University at 3pm, followed by Sonning at 5pm and the host club at 7pm.

During the day, there will be other entertainment for spectators, as well as a cake stall, raffle and auction.

Wilkinson said: “We all have different reasons for being in Hockey for Heroes, but it is our reasons that allow us to push ourselves mentally and physically. Reading HC are assisting in organising a fantastic day and it would be great to have as many people there as possible.”

Help for Heroes provides lifelong support to service personnel and military veterans with injuries, illnesses and wounds sustained whilst serving in the British Armed Forces.