(CMR) Rotarians Derek Haines and Mike Burcombe undertook the challenging 200km GR20 Trek, known as the hardest in Europe, to raise funds for the non-profit after-school program Jubilate.
Jubilate teaches less advantaged children from the public schools in the Eastern districts various life skills through music and academic enrichment. Jubilate also instills in young Caymanians discipline and self-confidence – skills both Haines and Burcombe needed on their recent trek.
They took on the challenging GR20 trek across Corsica in June and encouraged fellow Rotarians and the wider community to pledge their support to the children of Jubilate. All travel costs and registration fees were self-funded by Haines and Burcombe, and every dollar raised will go directly into supporting Jubilate.
The GR20 is a 180 km hike with 32,000 feet of variation on the Mediterranean island of Corsica. The GR20 is billed as the toughest long-distance hike in Europe and after experiencing it firsthand, Haines and Burcombe cannot disagree. The trek took them sixteen days to complete, plus a lot of sweat, mental toughness, and aching muscles.
At the 11th August 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 that will provide a lasting impact on Jubilate and the youth they serve.
The Governor presented a check for CI $160,470 to representatives from Jubilate, including Founder & Board. Chairperson Carole Kirkconnell, Director Liz Watkins, Program Manager Hannah Peralta, and other key supporters of Jubilate’s efforts.
The Jubilate Board of Directors thanks Haines and Burcombe for identifying Jubilate as the benefiting charity of their Corsican Trek. The funds and awareness raised will help solidify Jubilate’s ongoing transition from a small after-school program to a sustainable, well-governed non-profit organization that can impact many of Cayman’s youth in greatest need for years to come, Jubilate said.
Rotary President Jim Ehman 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 utilized to continue the important work conducted by Jubilate, nurturing, inspiring and empowering the children and future leaders of our community.
Donations to the Corsican Trek for Jubilate can still be made to the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman. Visit jubilate.ky/corsicantrek for details. Established in 2016, Jubilate encourages personal excellence in academics and education in music and currently serves over 70 children, aged 8-15, from 8 public schools. To learn more, visit
www.jubilate.ky or contact [email protected] or (345) 526-8484.
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