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22nd November 2011

Freeskiing champ comes on board as CanTeen ambassador

New Zealands top freeskier Jossi Wells hit the slopes with CanTeen members last week as part of his newest role as an ambassador for the charity.

 In town for a flying visit, the Wanaka-born freeski champ, spent the afternoon at Snow Planet, north of Auckland, with his latest group of fans, CanTeen members Jesse Greenslade and Matteo Stella, showing them a few of his latest tricks.

L-R: CanTeen member Matteo Stella (16), Jossi Wells & Jesse Greenslade, CanTeen member (22)

 Jossi approached CanTeen about becoming an ambassador after a friend he skied with at Cardrona this year was diagnosed with bone cancer in her femur.

 I can only imagine what it would be like to be diagnosed with cancer at my age. Its awesome that CanTeen exists to support young people living with cancer and their siblings. I hope I can use my profile to raise some awareness for CanTeen. , says Jossi.

 I also want to let people in the snow sports industry know what CanTeen does and why its important we support this organisation.

 The artistically-minded sportsman, who has designed bandannas for himself in conjunction with a sponsor, says he cant wait to come up with a funky new design for next years CanTeen Bandanna Challenge.

 The twenty-one year old, who last year was named the Association of Freeskiing Professionals World Champion, was back in New Zealand only briefly, flying in from London last week after winning the London Freeze Big Air competition.

 His next stop is Stockholm, Sweden, where he will compete at the local Big Air event, and then on to Colorado for the US winter season.

 CanTeen Marketing and Communications Manager Kimberley Waters says CanTeen is rapt to have Jossi join their family of ambassadors.

 Jossi is a great inspiration to all our CanTeen members to get out there and live life to the fullest, she says.

 One of CanTeens missions is to help young people living with cancer continue to enjoy life and everything it has to offer. Our members have experienced some really tough situations, so along with professional support programmes, we ensure we offer activities that enable them to have a lot of fun.

 CanTeen is the only New Zealand peer support organisation for young people aged 13 to 24 living with cancer as a patient, sibling or bereaved sibling.

 Jossi joins other CanTeen celebrity ambassadors Dan Carter, Paige Hareb, Maria Tutaia, Lisa Tamati and Scott Dixon, who each design bandannas for the charitys biggest annual fundraiser, the Bandanna Challenge.