Sisters Lily (11) and Lottie (8) Faulkner are jumping out of a plane for a cause close to their hearts. They have taken up the Cancer Society’s ‘Jump for Cancer’ challenge and on 14 May at 2 pm they will be at NZONE Skydive Wanaka, ready and eager to take the plunge.
Lottie says, “This is the first big fundraiser I have been involved with. Me and Lily have to raise $1000 each. So far we have raised $1,200 between us. We only signed up to do this a week ago so it is amazing how much money we have raised so far.”
Lily explains why they were attracted to taking on this fundraiser, saying, “We sadly lost our Grandma at 46 years old to breast cancer and our mum had to undergo a preventative prophylactic mastectomy last year to reduce her risk of breast cancer. It will be great to know that this money raised will help support people battling cancer.”
Mum Jenna, who went through the series of procedures of the mastectomy last year, says, ”By fundraising for Jump for Cancer, it makes sure no one goes through cancer alone by providing free specialist advice and support for cancer patients, transport to treatment, and accommodation when undergoing treatment far from home. As well as funding breakthrough cancer research.”
Jenna adds, “Our beautiful girls are so pumped to do their bit for Cancer NZ, as we all know someone who is struggling with this horrible disease.”
Rachael Hart, Cancer Society Otago and Southland chief executive, will also jump, and is terrified. The Faulkner girls are not. Lilly thinks it look ‘so exciting’, while Lottie says, “I cannot wait to jump out of a perfectly good aeroplane and fly. I would be keen on doing a few somersaults in the air if they let me.”
The girls are not aware of anyone else in Cromwell taking up the challenge.
Participants get to decide which area will benefit from their funds and Lilly and Lottie have chosen Central Otago.
Those of us who are not keen on jumping out of a plane at 9,000 feet can still support by clicking onto the following links, which lead to the girls’ fundraising profile pages.
