A GROUP of locals from Somerset have come together to raise over £5,000 for a cancer charity, with a marathon fundraiser campaign which ended this weekend with a skydive from 10,000 feet.

Mainly from the Shepton Mallet and Cranmore areas, the group has been staging frequent charity events, as well as car-boot sales, and online raffles to raise money for Cancer Support UK over the course of 2023.

Kirsty Guymer, organiser of the Manic Street Screechers fundraiser group, said she was in disbelief at the overwhelming support from the local community.

She had the idea to cap off the fundraiser with a charity skydive, due to a desire to conquer her lifelong fear of heights.

“It’s definitely a great experience, it feels amazing," she said, reflecting on the skydive.

"Knowing that we’ve raised so much money to help hundreds of cancer patients is lovely."

Through their JustGiving page, the group has raised over £5,500 for Cancer Support UK, a charity which is held close to the hearts of all involved in the fundraising.

The charity offers free 'Cancer Kits' to patients undergoing all types of cancer treatment, which include practical items and can be ordered for yourself or for a friend.

A team of Cancer Coaches are also part of the charity, who help patients to deal with the emotional tolls that cancer can take on mental health.

Four members of the group are scheduled to mark the end of their fundraising journey by jumping from a plane at a later date - the fundraiser remains open for now and all donations are welcomed.