Abingdon-based consultant solicitor Janet Quartly and paralegal Emily Parke took part in a charity skydive to raise funds for Helen & Douglas House hospice in Oxford.

The duo from Boardman Hawkins and Osborne completed the skydive on July 10 and have raised £1,600 so far.

Helen & Douglas House in east Oxford provides hospice care for babies and children and their families in Oxfordshire and the surrounding counties.

The charity in Magdalen Road first opened its doors in 1982 as the first children’s hospice in the world, and this year it is celebrating its 39th anniversary of supporting children and young people with life-limiting illnesses, and their parents, siblings and relatives.

Since opening, the hospice have inspired 49 other hospices to open across the UK and the rest of the world.

Throughout the pandemic, Helen & Douglas House has continued its care for families through the form of 24/7 telephone support, bereavement support, nursing visits for symptom management and more.

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Ms Quartly has friends and colleagues whose children have visited and enormously benefited from the services of Helen & Douglas House.

Ms Quartly said: “The children have really enjoyed their stays at the hospice, while their families have had a break from their 24/7 caring responsibilities to recharge their own batteries.

“The support, both practical and emotional given to the families has also been invaluable.

“For this reason I was especially passionate about taking part in the skydive for this a wonderful cause. I wanted to ensure that other families are given the same lifeline.

Ms Parke said: “I am excited to complete this once in a life-time opportunity, particularly as it is in aid of such an inspiring local charity.

“I am a long-term supporter of Helen & Douglas, as I have previously taken part in a sponsored Bubble Rush and Rainbow Run for the charity.”

Shahzaadee Adam from Helen & Douglas House said: “I would like to thank Janet and Emily for doing the skydive to raise money for local terminally ill children.

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“It has been a particularly tough time for our families during the pandemic where they have had to cope with caring for their child 24/7 often with no break or recovering from the loss of a child, with little support from family and friends face to face.

“So they need our help now more than ever which is only possible because of amazing people like Janet and Emily raising money for us.”

If you would like to sponsor Team BH&O’s skydive go to lnkd.in/gPEtxZP. Or to find out more go to the Helen & Douglas website helenanddouglas.org.uk.