A SELBY technology training provider has raised more than £9,000 for a West Yorkshire autism charity.

Staff from The Skills Network took part in a sponsored skydive in aid of Beat Autism, a family-run charity based in Wakefield.

The dive was originally scheduled to take place at Skydive Hibaldstow on March 17, but, due to bad weather, was moved to March 28 and 29 - which coincided with World Autism Awareness Week.

With this and a range of other events, the company aimed to raise £8,000, but smashed their final total.

The money raised will go towards supporting a specialised speech and language therapy programme, which will help families with non-verbal autistic children.

Beat Autism founder Sharon Firth said: "We would like to say a massive thank you to everyone at The Skills Network, and everyone who sponsored them, for not only raising £9,222 for our charity, but also for raising awareness of autism.

"We are a small local charity so this will allow us to make a huge difference to so many autistic children's lives."

Beat Autism currently works with more than 100 families, running kids' clubs and offering home visits and parental support.

Skills Network spokesperson Kellie Nee, who took part in the skydive herself, said: "A big thank you to all staff members, their families and all suppliers who supported us by giving donations or raising awareness.

"We would especially like to thank [awarding body] Training Qualifications UK, who donated £1,000 towards the final amount."

For more information about Beat Autism go to www.beatautism.co.uk.