Fundraiser prepares for 700km jet-ski journey

Peter Whale, right, with sponsor Matt Kneesch. Photo / George Novak

Tauranga's Peter Whale will complete his third jet ski journey to raise money for Melanoma March this month.

The veteran jet skier did the first ski in 2013 and since then, with jet ski racer Callum Farnell, has raised more than $36,000 for the cause.

Melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, can spread rapidly and can be life-threatening if left untreated.

Different events are being held in March to raise awareness and money for the cause such as the Yamaha Ski-NZ 2015 journey.

The event will see jet skiers glide across the water from Napier to Tauranga later this month over seven days.

Mr Whale was looking forward to this year's 700km event which would go around the East Cape.

With 19 others, including Tauranga's Grant Nicholson, the group will stop in Gisborne, Tokomaru Bay and possibly White Island.

"It's going to be fantastic. Some of the places we will be going to are very remote and we have been told once we go around the Cape, even if it's fine weather, it's going to be rough."

Mr Whale said it was all about raising money for the Melanoma Foundation of New Zealand.

"I guess it's an interest we all have and we have a bit of fun doing it."

Mr Whale said his father-in-law was a melanoma survivor.

During last year's event, Dr Tom Mulholland was able to visit a remote island off the South Island and remove melanomas from people who would not normally have access to doctors.

But the trip's highlight was making life-long friends, who he was still in contact with, Mr Whale said. He and his ski partner raised just under $20,000 last year but he did not think they would be able to raise the same amount this year due to other commitments.