Jump Start consists of a skydive tandem experience for selected teenagers (from CANTEEN and PROJECT K). 

The premise of Jump Start
The premise of Jump Start is that the experience of being alive transforms.

The elements are:

Facing fear:   Discovering inner strength
Placing trust in others:   Finding mutual support and team identity
Elation:   Skydiving is an intense experience of being alive
Confidence:   Gained from accomplishing the goal
Acknowledgement:   Applause as they receive a certificate of accomplishment 
Belonging:   Being part of a group of first-time jumpers

JUMP START is a charity event which asks skydivers to help raise money to sponsor a Teenager from CanTeen or Project K.  The skydive Tandem Masters, Camera flyers and the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) , all  donate their time and resources to this event. RNZAF 40 Squadron supply a C130 Hercules aircraft and the PTSU (Parachute Training & Support Unit) provide tanedm masters and coordinate the RNZAF crew.
Sport skydivers & members of the public help raise the money to sponsor the Teenagers.    

Jump Start has been incorporated as a “not-for-profit“ organization (Click here to view Certificate of Incorporation) to manage the finances and liabilities associated with organising such an event. The directors are  Tim Fastnedge and Lars Bojsen-Moller.  The company is not-for-profit, and each year (after an amount has been set aside to ‘kickstart’ the following year), surplus funds will be distributed to CanTeen and Project K.

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Jump Start founder – Pete Maher (photo:  Pete Maher – left, Jesse Maher – right)

 ”I wanted to make a difference”

Rather than having a party for his 50th birthday, skydiving enthusiast Pete Maher from Jump Start wanted to make a difference in the lives of young people.  So together with the NZPF, Pete invited 25 students from Project K and 25 members from CanTeen to join him in the air and experience a tandem sky dive.  Maher chose these organisations as they both deal with young people facing challenges in their lives.  “Project K and CanTeen provide the context for Jump Start to be a generator for growth and confidence in young people.”  Jump Start is fully supported by the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) who provided a C130 Hercules aircraft  for the event.