THRILL-seeking hospice supporters who toppled 13,000 feet through the sky have smashed their fundraising target.

A team of colleagues at Taylor Wimpey hoped to raise £2,500 for Helen & Douglas House with a skydive, but have more than quadrupled that sum thanks to the generosity of supporters.

Sixteen members of the housebuilder's Oxfordshire team, based in Abingdon, hurtled through the air at the end of March for the children's hospice's skydive event.

They have now announced their joint fundraising total as £11,037, which will support the cash-strapped charity's work caring for children and young people with life-limiting illness.

Taylor Wimpey Oxfordshire's managing director Mark Edmonds said: "This is the second year we’ve supported Helen & Douglas House, and we are well aware of the great work they do to help children and young people across our region.

"The charity clearly means a lot to our staff and it’s been great to see them working together and encouraging friends and family to donate."

He said he was 'incredibly proud' of the team's efforts and more fundraising events were planned for the future.

Colleagues who took part included those from the sales, production and planning departments.

Charlotte Ellson, who was one of team members who braved the jump, wrote on her fundraising page: "I cannot even begin to imagine how I would cope if I was told in the future that my child was terminally ill.

"All I do know is that your world must begin to fall apart in that one moment - the terrifying thought that you will be losing your everything.

"So really my fear of jumping out of a plane is pretty small in comparison."

Imogen O'Malley, who also took part in the skydive, posted on her JustGiving page thanking people who donated.

She described the jump as an 'incredible experience'.

Helen & Douglas House organised the skydive at Hinton Airfield in Brackley, inviting supporters to take part and gain sponsorship money.

Nicola Wilson, corporate business development manager at the East Oxford hospice, said she was 'delighted' Taylor Wimpey entered such a large team.

She added: "The money they raised will make a huge difference to the lives of local terminally-ill children to ensure they live life to the full and parents can create happy memories during their short time together.

"On behalf of our families, we would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who bravely jumped out of a plane to raise money."

The hospice in Magdalen Road is set to close Douglas House, home to its adult services, in August due to lack of funds.