NOT MANY company bosses would allow their staff to jump out of a plane but one Southampton company is doing just that, all in the name of charity.

Painting and building maintenance firm CLC Ltd has nominated some members of its staff to take part in a tandem skydive this weekend to raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund (JDRF).

Marc Rogers, for CLC, said: "We have got six members of CLC staff taking part in the tandem skydive. We are big supporters of JDRF and have been one of their corporate sponsors for a few years and a lot of our staff have taken part in their big annual event the Walk to Cure Diabetes.

"This time they asked us if we would support the tandem skydive and six of our staff have volunteered. We have already pledged £100 to each member of staff doing the skydive and we are hoping to help raise thousands of pounds for JDRF.

"Some of our biggest suppliers including C&G Fencing, TJ Waste & Recycling, BSS Pipeline and Heating Solutions, JJ Building Services, Hants Electrical Contractors and Haringtons Hairdressing, have also given us their support by sponsoring our staff."

The tandem skydive will take place at the Airfield Camp in Netheravon, Wiltshire, this Saturday, when 51 volunteers will jump out of a plane at 10,000ft including Daily Echo reporter Ushma Mistry.

The charity is hoping to raise in excess of £10,000 from the day and was overwhelmed with the response for people to take part.

Luanne Martin, regional development manager for JDRF, which is based in Southampton, said: "The response has been absolutely amazing. We only needed 21 people to take part and we have now more than doubled that number which is great.

"We have even had to turn people away which was a shame but we are hoping to organise another skydive day in the future.

"The support we have received from CLC has been great and they have helped their staff on the way to reaching their target by sponsoring them £100 each."