Big drop on Emma’s bucket list

The next thing on Emma Guyer’s bucket list is to jump out of a plane and go skydiving.

The Nelson teenager was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2012, when she was six. Mum Jennifer Squire said a recent MRI scan showed that the cancer had returned, there was little doctors could do, and Emma had only months to live.

‘‘It doesn’t feel real,’’ Squire said. ‘‘We are making the most of every day, and she is just an inspiration.’’

Those close to the 13-year-old have been busy helping her achieve whatever she wants to do in the time she has left.

Tomorrow, Guyer will be suited up for a skydive with two of her friends, Deanna Marsden, 11, and Macc O’Brien, nine. Both were also diagnosed with cancer when they were young, and are now in remission.

Deanna and Emma met at Ronald McDonald House in Christchurch while they were having treatment, and became close friends, while Macc met Emma at his first Camp Quality in Christchurch.

Both said they were excited at the chance to join Emma and go skydiving.

Deanna and Macc’s mums, D J Marsden and Nicole O’Brien, have been door knocking and promoting the cause at businesses around Nelson in a bid to raise money so Emma can tick more things off her bucket list.

The pair said they were just ‘‘two passionate mums’’ doing what they could to support Emma and her family.

‘‘This little girl both of our kids love has only got a limited time, so they are trying to live a normal life,’’ Marsden said.

Both said the financial stress of day-to-day life with a sick child was difficult, and the Nelson community had been incredibly generous with their support.

‘‘We want to take the pressure off, so if Emma wants to do something, they can do it.’’

Emma travelled to the Gold Coast with her family last month. Visiting theme parks there was another item on her bucket list.

The Jump 4 Emma will take place at 10am at Skydive Abel Tasman in Motueka. Anyone is welcome to attend in support – there will be a sausage sizzle and a lolly scramble.

Donations to help Emma tick off her bucket list items can be made with the reference JUMP 4 EMMA to bank account 06-0669-0169967-03.

BRADEN FASTIER/STUFF Emma Guyer, 13, centre, has a terminal brain tumour, and skydiving is on her bucket list. Her friends Deanna Marsden, left, and Macc O’Brien, who also have battled cancer, will be taking the plunge with her.