Legal eagles at Dorset law firm Ellis Jones have been flying high to raise thousands of pounds for charity.

The intrepid fundraisers also came back down to earth as they successfully completed a skydive in aid of Julia’s House.

Ellis Jones’s daredevils have so far raised an incredible £4,611 for the Dorset-based children’s hospice charity.

The spectacular stunt took place at Netheravon, base of not for profit organisation the Army Parachute Association (APA), near Salisbury.

Included in the fearless seven-strong Ellis Jones team was partner and head of dispute resolution Lauren Day and marketing and events manager Georgina Wright.

Also taking the plunge were legal placement student Howard Hasan, legal assistant Sandra Dakanyte and admin assistant Sam Smith, alongside two friends and family members in Sian Smith, wife of Ellis Jones managing partner Nigel Smith, and Chris Holt.

Following training, they jumped from a modern Cessna Caravan aircraft at 13,500 feet – or two miles – above the Wiltshire countryside, with freefall taking about 45 seconds at speeds of up to 120 mph.

The tandem jumping team was in the safe hands of association military instructors who have had parachuting experience in some of the most challenging environments in the world, and all landed safely. 

Team captain Georgina Wright recruited brave skydivers from the law firm’s five offices on the south coast – in Bournemouth, Poole, Ringwood, Swanage and Wimborne – and London.

She said: “It was an absolutely exhilarating experience to do this skydive.

“We all had a fantastic time and the atmosphere was electric. Everyone was very nervous and excited in the build-up but all were so thrilled afterwards.

“It was so heartening that we were able to raise such a good amount for this brilliant charity.

“Julia's House delivers practical and emotional support for families that are facing unimaginable heartbreak – the knowledge that their child may not live into adulthood.

“The charity provides frequent, flexible care for children with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition and support families in their own homes, in the community or at hospices and give their parents a much-needed break.” 

Julia’s House has children’s hospices in Corfe Mullen, Dorset, and Devizes in Wiltshire. As well as inpatients, more than 65 per cent of its care is community based.

The charity’s community fundraising assistant Alex Wilcox said: “We are indebted to the team from Ellis Jones and their supporters for such generosity. Corporate sponsorship enables us to make such a difference to so many families.

“We rely on public donations, fundraising and legacies for 95 per cent of the money needed to run our vital service to ensure every family supported by Julia's House receives totally bespoke care.

“Every penny counts, especially at this time when so many people are struggling to make ends meet and charitable donations may not be top of the agenda. That is why this community effort by Ellis Jones is so important.”