A GROUP of friends have raised more than �2,000 for charity after jumping out of a plane from 13,000 feet above Chatteris.

Calling themselves the Pidley Freefall Parachute Team, Sam Barton, Jo Brett, Hollie Hennings, Gemma Pollock and Jonathan Orchard took part in their first freefall parachute jump at Chatteris’ North London Parachute Centre.

The jump raised a total of �2,250 for the Pidley Moutain Rescue Team - a charity which helps adults and children to cope with disability or mobility issues.

Jumper Jo Brett said: “When we finally got up there it was worth the wait; a fantastic experience freefalling 8,000 feet in a tandem skydive.

“We’re so pleased to have raised so much for such a worthy cause, but next time I’ll do a sponsored sit-in at the Mad Cat Pub in Pidley.”

The jump gained plenty of local support, as well as a celebrity backer with popstar Pixie Lott sponsoring one team member.

Trevor Peacock, the Pidley charity’s chairman, said: “We’ve had an amazing 2010, providing mobility and specialised equipment for 15 people living in the Huntingdonshire area, from a 4-year old’s first trike to encourage movement and independence through to a mobility scooter for a 90-year old.

“As always we’ve been inspired by the generosity and hard-work of the local community in supporting the Mountain Rescue Team.”

The parachutists were originally set to jump in mid-September, but the weather meant it had to be postponed.