Fiona Wilson, Miriam & Karen Wright, Helen McKeown and Leisha O'Doherty get ready for take off. US22-710SP

A GROUP of five friends gathered together recently to achieve a very special ambition. On a cloudless Sunday morning Fiona Wilson from Lisburn, Miriam and Karen Wright, Helen McKeown and Leisha O'Doherty got harnessed up and flew 13,000ft above the ground to take part in a sky dive for the NI Cancer Fund for Children.

The costs to take part in the tandem sky dive were generously met by Belfast facilities services firm Grove Services Group Ltd, ensuring that all the money raised by the fearless five went straight to the leading local children's cancer charity.

Speaking after the jump a very relieved and exhilarated Fiona said: "As a group of friends we wanted to mark a few special occasions by doing something memorable. After a chance remark we all found ourselves signed up to do a parachute jump.

"We chose to support the NI Cancer Fund for Children as it was a local charity doing amazing work for children and young people.

"People have been so generous with their sponsorship includi n g my own employers at Grove Services who paid the costs for us to take part.

"We would like to thank our families, friends, colleagues and business contacts who have all been extremely supportive."

Over �5,000 was donated by the group of friends.

Over the next 12 months the NI Cancer Fund for Children is trying to encourage 200 people to take part in a parachute jump.

For more information you can contact Jane on 90805599.