A TEAM OF ‘high-flying birds’ took to the skies over Oxfordshire to help raise £300,000 for a breast cancer charity.

The team of 14 high-profile women, including Kate Bostock the executive director of Marks & Spencer, and GMTV and Sky News presenter Caroline Feraday, each pledged to raise more than £20,000 for Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

The women, who have been dubbed Breakthrough Booby Birds, took off from RAF Weston-on-the-Green, near Bicester, on Saturday.

Ms Feraday, said: “What a wonderful, wonderful day. It was a true privilege to be a part of Breakthrough Booby Birds 2010.

“It was fantastic to share the experience and challenge with all the other women.”

Debbie Manners, chief operating officer of TV company Hat Trick Productions, added: “The skydive was totally amazing.

“I thought I would be very nervous on the day, but the instructor was so experienced and reassuring that I felt I would be doing him a disservice to feel anxious.

“Once the jump started it was at first exhilarating, then beautiful and peaceful.”