Reading FC and Wycombe Wanderers are putting rivalry aside to support a 24-hour CPR challenge and are urging businesses across the region to take part.

The South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) Charity is hosting its CPR-A-THON from 10am on September 24 until 10am on September 25, with teams keeping continuous CPR going for a full day.

The challenge will take place at three venues simultaneously, including Adams Park in High Wycombe, the Select Car Leasing Stadium in Reading and The King's Centre in Oxford.

Teams of up to 10 people will take turns delivering 30 chest compressions on a CPR training manikin before handing over to the next participant, ensuring CPR is performed throughout the event.

Businesses are also being encouraged to put a team together, nominate their preferred venue and take part in the team challenge. 

Each participant is being asked to raise at least £150, with a fundraising target of £1,500 for a team of 10.

Teams can nominate whether they would prefer to take part at Adams Park, the Select Car Leasing Stadium or The King’s Centre when they register.

Sarah Callaghan, volunteer manager at the SCAS Charity, said the event aims to bring communities together while increasing awareness of CPR.

She said: "We want the CPR-A-THON to be something that brings communities together, and having the support of Reading and Wycombe Wanderers give us a fantastic opportunity to reach thousands of football fans and businesses across the region.

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"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 practise a skill that could one day save the life of a colleague, friend or loved one.

“We’re asking businesses to get their teams together, choose their venue and take on the challenge.

"Whether you’re a Reading fan, a Wycombe fan or simply want to do something worthwhile with your colleagues, we’d love you to join us.”

Matt Cecil, head of media at Wycombe Wanderers FC, said that the team are proud that Adams Park will be on of the venues for the event. 

He said: "“Adams Park is a place where teams come together, and we’re proud that it will be one of the venues helping to keep this lifesaving challenge going for 24 hours.

“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 a skills that could save a life."

According to SCAS Charity, a person's chance of surviving a cardiac arrest falls by around 10 per cent for every minute without CPR.

The charity said the survival rate for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the UK is around eight per cent, but early CPR and defibrillation can significantly improve survival chances.

Money raised from the CPR-A-THON will support volunteer community first responders, who attend medical emergencies and provide CPR and defibrillator awareness in local communities.