Veteran fundraisers’ new trek to help children

A special reception was recently held at Government House to launch a new fundraising initiative from veteran fundraisers’ Derek Haines and Mike Burcombe, who will be walking to raise funds for Jubilate, a great organisation dedicated to helping youngsters through music.

Derek and Mike are no strangers to fundraising, Derek having ran an incredible six marathons in 2014 to raise funds for Jasmine, Cayman’s dedicated hospice care home. The pair also raised an incredible $750,000 for Inclusion in 2019, Cayman’s organisation for people with special needs, when they walked the Coast2Cost challenge, trekking 600 miles along the French Pyrenees.

Now, the dynamic duo plan to undertake a Corsican Trek to raise funds for Jubilate, a non-profit organisation which supports disadvantaged children in Cayman’s eastern districts by helping them to learn an instrument, as well as giving them after school life skills support.

Children from Clifton Hunter played in the Jubilate Orchestra at Government House for guests, while Derek and Mike gave a presentation on their upcoming trek, reportedly the most difficult long distance trek in Europe.

Governor Martyn Roper said: “I hope the community will give great support to Derek and Mike whose progress we will watch closely and I am delighted to be Patron of their Trek.Every dollar raised will go to Jubilate. Best of luck Derek and Mike!”

Jubilate started in 2016 with the mission to empower children with confidence and skills through education and music. The programme was established in the Cayman Islands as a countrywide effort to use music to reach out to children who are struggling to fit in and help them realise their full potential in school. They are given the chance to learn an instrument, play in an orchestra which then gives them a sense of belonging. Now in its eighth year, Jubilate! engages children from six primary schools located east of George Town. It provides these students an opportunity to explore their musical abilities, equips them with life skills, and empowers them to attain a brighter future than many would have thought possible.