A YOUNG woman who became a foster carer aged just 26 has raise more than £1,000 for the cause by facing one of her biggest fears.

Louise Groves, now 31, jumped out of a plane from 10,000 feet in a fundraising tandem parachute jump, raising just over £1,200 in sponsorship for Fostering Network.

Louise, who admits to being terrified of heights, smashed her own aim of raising £1,000.

The cause is close to her heart because she spent some time with foster carers when, aged 14, she was left an orphan following the tragic deaths of both her parents.

Despite it not being the right thing for her at the time, she said her foster carers were lovely people and when she reached an age she could apply to be one she jumped at the chance.

Speaking after the jump at the London Parachute Centre, Louise said: “It was a really good achievement, but quite scary.

“I was just pleased to land and get my feet back on the ground.”

She plans to do an event next year again to raise money for Fostering Fortnight.