There are moments in life that take courage. And then there are moments that mean stepping out of a perfectly good plane at 13,000 feet.
On Sunday, under clear blue skies at Motueka Aerodrome, five incredible women from Jan’s Jolly Jumpers did exactly that, taking on Jump for Cancer with the team at Skydive Abel Tasman.
Jan, Vick, Veronica, Kay and Hilary stepped into the sky for a cause close to their hearts, supported all the way by the Cancer Society Nelson Tasman community. It was a day filled with nerves, laughter, big breaths… and even bigger bravery.
From one jump to something much bigger
At the centre of it all is Jan Holt, a dedicated volunteer whose first Jump for Cancer in 2025 sparked an idea that quickly grew.
Jan not only went on to become the top national fundraiser last year, but landed from her jump already thinking about how to bring others along for the ride. That idea became Jan’s Jolly Jumpers, a team built on courage, connection, and giving back.
Courage looks different for everyone
Each jumper brought their own story, and their own reason for saying yes.
For Vick, it meant facing a very real fear of heights.
As she puts it: “I get a sweaty lip when I drive across the Auckland Harbour Bridge… in a car… in the middle lane.”
So standing at the open door of a plane took things to a whole new level. But she went anyway – driven by the impact she knows the Cancer Society has in the community.
For Kay van Dyk, a Nelson-based contemporary jeweller and owner of The Bench School for Jewellery, the jump had been sitting on her bucket list for years. Inspired through her connection with Jan, and having seen cancer affect friends and family, she decided this was the moment to finally do something bold for a cause that matters deeply.
And Hilary Tear brings another powerful layer to the story.
An active, outdoors-loving woman, Hilary faced her greatest challenge with a breast cancer diagnosis. Through treatment and recovery, the Cancer Society supported her with practical help, guidance, and even strength-building sessions that helped her regain both mobility and confidence.
Now, she’s turning that support into action – and into a leap of her own.
And they’re not done yet
Together, the team has already raised more than $8,750, an incredible achievement powered by all eight members of Jan’s Jolly Jumpers.
While five took to the skies on Sunday, Steve, Rian and Ian have been right there alongside them, fundraising and building momentum. They’re each working toward their $1,000 target so they can take their own leap when jumps continue from 1 July.
And the spirit of Jump for Cancer is growing beyond the team too.
Daryl Wehner will be taking his jump locally, while Brooke and Sealand Tang are preparing for their own skydives with Skydive Mt Cook.
Be part of something bigger
Jump for Cancer is about more than the thrill of the jump. It’s about standing alongside people in our community who are facing cancer, and helping ensure they have access to care and support when they need it most.
From practical assistance to emotional support, counselling, transport and recovery programmes, every jump and every dollar raised helps make a real difference.
There’s still time to get involved. Registrations remain open, and individuals are encouraged to sign up, raise $1,000, and take part in their own Jump for Cancer experience.
Visit jumpforcancer.org.nz to register or support a jumper.
Because sometimes, the biggest impact starts with a single step… or in this case, a single leap.
