A TEEN adrenaline junkie from Worcester leapt out of plane at 10,000 feet to raise money for the hospice which cared for her mum.

Katherine Thompson of the Cherry Orchard area of the city took part in a skydive on Saturday, June 27 at Hinton in the Edges Airfield in Brackley, Northamptonshire in aid of St Richard’s Hospice, where her mum Annette was cared for before her death last year.

The 19-year-old, who works for UTC Aerospace Systems in Malvern, has so far raised almost £700 for the charity by taking part in a number of other challenges including the Worcester Half Marathon.

“I'm definitely an adrenaline junkie but this is by far the most extreme thing I've ever done,” she said.

“It's something I've always wanted to do but never looked into.”

Ms Thompson said she was grateful to have raised so much for the hospice.

“When my mum died I was so grateful for St Richard's that I knew I wanted to do as much fundraising as possible,” she said.

“My mum was referred to St Richard's Hospice and for around six months they did anything they could, not only to help her but to help us.

“She died over a year ago and they're still offering help in any way we want it.”

She has also encouraged others to take on an exciting challenge to help give the hospice a boost.

“We might never find a cure for cancer, but we can help sufferers and their families receive the comfort and peace of mind that will truly mean the world to them in their final months,” she said.

“Fundraising wasn't as hard as I thought it'd be as everyone was so giving, they just wanted to give something back and I really am thankful.

“Raising such a great amount of money was more than I could ever have asked for and the amazing experience I had skydiving just topped it all off.”

To donate to Ms Thompson’s ongoing fundraising efforts visit justgiving.com/KatherineT.

St Richard’s Hospice provides free specialist palliative care and support for more than 2,600 patients living with life-threatening illnesses and their families every year.

The charity runs a day hospice as well as a 24-hour, 17-bed inpatient unit in Wildwood Drive and is arranging another group skydive on Saturday, September 12 and some places are still available. For more information call 01905 763 963 or visit strichards.org.uk/event/skydiving-3.