Hundreds of cuddly toy giraffes have been sent on an air-to-air refuelling mission by RAF Brize Norton for charity.

It is the second time the RAF base has partnered with Giraffes on Tour to raise funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Last year's mission, which saw 291 giraffes flown on an RAF Voyager, raised £4,000.

Oxford Mail: More than £10,000 has been raised so far this yearMore than £10,000 has been raised so far this year (Image: MOD Crown)

This year, the passenger limit on the same plane was lifted to 500.

Following the evening refuelling mission, the giraffes are now being sold on the Giraffes on Tour website, raising more than £10,000 from sales so far.

Flight Lieutenant Mark Scott, 10 Squadron Voyager pilot, said: "The charity’s fundraising for Great Ormond Street Hospital has been close to my heart for several years, and it’s an honour for me to use a 'normal' day at work to help them do something extraordinary.

Oxford Mail: It is the second time RAF Norton has held the fundraising event for the Great Ormond Street HospitalIt is the second time RAF Norton has held the fundraising event for the Great Ormond Street Hospital (Image: MOD Crown)

Oxford Mail: There were 500 giraffes involvedThere were 500 giraffes involved (Image: MOD Crown)

"After our successful night air-to-air refuelling training with an Atlas A400M we brought the giraffes safely back to RAF Brize Norton."

Giraffes On Tour honours the memory of Louise Conway, who died from Leukaemia in 2013.

Giraffes on Tour founder, Ian Conway, said: "When landing at 2am after spending 24 hours of excitement about the amazing opportunity the RAF has given us, I was hit by the enormity and reality of what this incredible adventure means to so many children and their families at Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital."