Fifty sick or at-risk youngsters had the time of their lives leaping out of an air force Hercules yesterday.
The members of CanTeen and Project K were taking part in JumpStart - a charity event giving kids with cancer "experience of being alive".
Organiser Tim Fastnedge said the Hercules needed five trips to cater for all the drops. About $18,000 was raised, with the money being split between the two charities after event costs were covered.
The RNZAF lent a hand and a few parachutes. Squadron Leader Simon Van Rijs said: "It's an amazing experience for the teenagers undertaking the jump and we are continually delighted by seeing the positive impact of the jump."
The air force has supported JumpStart since its inception six years ago with medical and ground support .
