DAREDEVIL friends who jumped 13,000 feet from an aeroplane in honour of six-year-old Joshua Wilson raised £2,000 for children living with life-threatening diseases.

The Jumping for Joshua skydive team was made up of 11 family members and friends of the youngster regularly featured in the Bury Times since being diagnosed with a tumour and cyst on his brain stem requiring life-saving surgery in March, 2004.

He has spent the last two years recovering from the complicated operation which left the Tottington Primary School pupil in a rare "sleep-like" coma for many months when his body was unable to function yet he remained fully aware of his surroundings. To celebrate the end of his chemotherapy, the youngster was treated to a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Lapland courtesy of children's charity When You Wish Upon A Star.

To repay the Stockport-based charity, which makes dreams come true for sick children, Joshua's family decided on the the sponsored skydive in August.

Joshua's mum, Dawn Burgess, of Walshaw Road, Bury, said: "Thanks go to everyone who sponsored the Jumping for Joshua skydive team. We have collected all the sponsor money and raised a magnificent £2,000, £500 above our team target.

"There are two members of the team that, due to bad weather, have still not had the chance to complete their skydives. So fingers crossed when they do the total will be even higher."