TEAM MATES of former Royal Wootton Bassett Hockey club player Stephanie Wheeler raised almost £900 with an open day and match in her memory.

Financial consultant Stephanie, 41, who died from cancer in October last year at Prospect Hospice, was a regular member of the ladies’ team and a respected youth coach.

And her friends and family decided to hold a fundraiser for the hospice that supported her along with her husband and three children during her battle with the disease.

Club spokesman Vivienne Hayward said: "Steph was very courageous throughout her illness and we wanted to reflect her strong spirit and commitment to the club, in a special day of hockey and fun for young and old.

"As well as being fantastic hockey player, Steph was a talented musician, who played clarinet in the Brinkworth Band and had played on the QE2 before it sailed."

The match on September 2 started with a minute’s silence for Stephanie before the Pink Ladies, including her daughter Jasmine, took on the Blue Ladies.

It ended in a one-all draw with goals scored by Sue Davies and Abi Turner.

They managed to raise £857 for the hospice at Wroughton which cared for and supported around 6,500 patients, carers and family members over the past year. The charity needed £8million in 2016 and depends on fundraising for 70 per cent of its income.