Daredevil NHS staff took to the skies to raise thousands of pounds for patient care – after a local skydiving company made a generous gesture as a thank you.

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust was offered 10 free staff places by Skyhigh Skydiving in Shotton Colliery.

The company in County Durham wanted to show its appreciation to health workers – giving away 40 places to health staff across the region.

Staff used the jump as an opportunity to raise funds for the Trust’s charity – North Tees and Hartlepool Together – collecting more than £2,500.

The group included staff from frontline roles including portering, estates, and physiotherapy as well as from a range of non-clinical roles.

The group included physiotherapist Lauren Pounder and senior communications and marketing officer John Hugill.

Mrs Pounder said: “It was a fantastic experience.

“It was an opportunity not only to raise money for an amazing cause but to empower others to take the challenge – driving towards making every contact count in all aspects of life. Empowering people towards individualised goals to lead a more fulfilled and meaningful lifestyle.

“Thank you to everyone for their well wishes and sponsorship.”

Mr Hugill added: “On behalf of everyone involved, thank you to Skyhigh Skydiving for such a generous offer to the organisation.

“Thanks to them, after what has been an incredibly challenging 18 months staff were able to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience while also raising funds to go straight back into patient care at our organisation.

“Anyone can raise money for our charity – either raising funds to go in the general pot or to specific areas close to people’s hearts – any contribution of whatever size is used to go towards improving the care we give our patients.”

To find out more visit www.nth.nhs.uk/about/fundraising/make-donation/