Legal eagles at Dorset law firm Ellis Jones have raised thousands of pounds for a good cause.

Staff from Ellis Jones have so far raised £4,611 for Dorset-based children’s hospice charity Julia’s House after jumping at Netheravon, base of not-for-profit organisation the Army Parachute Association (APA), near Salisbury.
The seven-strong Ellis Jones team included partner and head of dispute resolution Lauren Day and marketing and events manager Georgina Wright.

Legal placement student Howard Hasan, legal assistant Sandra Dakanyte and administration assistant Sam Smith also took part, 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 Cessna Caravan aircraft at 13,500 feet –two miles – above the Wiltshire countryside, with freefall taking about 45 seconds at speeds of up to 120mph.
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.
Team captain Georgina Wright said: “It was an 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 facing unimaginable heartbreak – the knowledge that their child may not live into adulthood.

The skydiving team from Ellis Jones at Netheravon (from left) Lauren Day, Chris Holt, Georgina Wright, Sandra Dakanyte, Howard Hasan, Sam Smith and Sian Smith

“The charity provides frequent, flexible care for children with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition and supports families in their own homes, in the community or at hospices and gives their parents a much-needed break.”
The charity’s community fundraising assistant, Alex Wilcox, said: “We are indebted to the team from Ellis Jones and their supporters for such generosity. We rely on public donations, fundraising and legacies for 95 per cent of the money needed to run our vital service.
“Every penny counts.”