In June of this year, fitness and fundraising supermen Derek Haines and Mike Burcombe once again strapped on their hiking boots to tackle the GR20 trek.
This was not the Rotarians’ first rodeo. Haines has run multiple marathons in the past to raise money for local charities, and the duo completed a 53-day, 550-mile trek across the Pyrenees in 2019 to support Inclusion Cayman (previously known as Special Needs Foundation Cayman).
Not for the faint of heart (or weak of knees), the GR20 is a 180 km route with 32,000 feet of variation on the Mediterranean island of Corsica. It is billed as the toughest long-distance hike in Europe, and even with their previous experience under their belts, it took Haines and Burcome 16 days to complete, sore muscles and all.
The GR20 trek was undertaken by the pair in order to raise awareness and money for another Cayman non-profit. This time, Jubilate was the chosen recipient – an after-school programme that teaches less advantaged children from the public schools in the Eastern districts various life skills through music and academic enrichment. All travel costs and registration fees were self-funded by Haines and Burcombe, hence every dollar raised will go directly into supporting Jubilate.
At the 11 Aug. meeting of the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman, the patron of this fundraising effort – Governor Martyn Roper – expressed his gratitude to Haines and Burcombe for their community-minded initiative. Roper then presented a check for $160,470 to representatives from Jubilate, including founder and board chairperson Carole Kirkconnell; director Liz Watkins; programme manager Hannah Peralta, and other key supporters of the organisation’s efforts.
Rotary president Jim Ehman also thanked and congratulated the trekkers on their admirable achievement. Haines and Burcombe said they were thrilled with the successful ‘Hiking for Harmony’ challenge and were humbled by so many generous supporters. Funds raised will be utilised to continue the important work conducted by Jubilate – nurturing, inspiring and empowering the children and future leaders of the community.
Established in 2016, the organisation encourages personal excellence in academics and education in music, and currently serves over 70 children, aged 8-15, from eight public schools.
Donations to the Corsican Trek for Jubilate can still be made to the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman. Visit jubilate.ky/corsicantrek for details. To learn more about Jubilate and the work it does, visit www.jubilate.ky, email [email protected] or call 526-8484.
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