Te Anau turned on a warm welcome both in terms of weather and in southern hospitality for teenage cancer suffer, Jacob Coker, during his recent holiday in Fiordland.

Jacob, along with his parents Amanda and Greg and his three siblings Sarah, Ryan and Katie, were visiting from Dannevirke, busy making memories as the 16 year old faces his last few months with them.

Amanda Coker said her eldest son was first diagnosed with Synovial Sarcoma in September 2012, a rare cancer that affects just one in three million and he had received treatment and surgery at that time that kept it at bay.

However, it reappeared eighteen months ago and the family was told just one week before Christmas 2019 that nothing more could be done and that his life expectancy would be probably no more than three more years.

She said the family had hoped to holiday in Australia with Jacob, but had to cancel all their booking because of the Covid-19 border closure.

Jacob then said he would love to see the South Island while he was still well enough and so they had done everything they can to make his wish come true Mrs Coker said, and they started their journey south on March 17.

Te Anau tourist operator, Peter Kirker, learned of the family’s plan via social media and instigated a raft of experiences for them in Fiordland.

Despite the southern businesses facing tough economic times, that didn’t stop several from stepping up to help make the family have the best time while they were in the region.

During their Southern sojourn the Coker family was treated to a jet boat experience on the Waiau River provided by Fiordland Jet, a free movie pass to the Fordland film ‘Ata Whenua’, dinner at the Fat Duck restaurant and an afternoon exploring Lake Te Anau on Mr Kirker’s boat ‘Carousel’.

Besides the Fiordland adventures, Jacob said his highlights have been whale watching at Kaikoura and visiting Hamner Springs.

The family plan on returning to their home on April 26.