A Shanklin-based hockey coach will be representing the Isle of Wight as part of the 2025 Hockey for Heroes squad, taking on a gruelling challenge to support armed forces veterans.
Pip Spibey, who coaches hockey at Ryde School and the Isle of Wight Hockey Club, has been selected for the elite team of athletes taking part in ‘Mission Peace Finder’.
The initiative, running from 23rd-31st May, will see the squad cover 2,029,201 metres through daily fitness challenges – symbolising 1 metre for every veteran currently living in the UK.
On top of this monumental effort, the squad will also play 54 hockey matches in just 9 days – the equivalent of an entire season condensed into just over a week. The challenge is raising awareness and vital funds for Help for Heroes, a charity that provides life-changing support for service personnel and veterans across the country.
Pip, who is also a mum to twin boys, is balancing an intense training regime with family life and her commitment to nurturing the next generation of hockey players on the Isle of Wight.
Speaking about her selection, Pip has said:
“I’m incredibly excited to be part of the 2025 squad. Training is ramping up now with just over a month to go, and while juggling everything can be tough, I’m confident it can be done.”
To support Pip and the Hockey for Heroes team, donations can be made via her JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/p-spibey-dodd-operation-peacefinder.
