Pupils, parents and staff at Battling Brook Community Primary School in Hinckley have surpassed a fundraising target of £16,500 – raising over £25,000 – in memory of Jade Gilbert, a teacher at Battling Brook for over 10 years, who died in summer 2024.
In memory of Miss Gilbert, Battling Brook embarked on a 80-hour fundraising effort from 9th – 11th April where pupils, parents, members of the community and staff at the school racked up miles to circumnavigate the globe. Gilbert’s Globetrotters, as they became known, achieved their goal and collectively cycled all 25,582 miles in under 80 hours.
The school wanted to organise something special to commemorate Miss Gilbert’s life, so the school combined two of her biggest passions – aside from teaching – travelling and going to the gym. The money raised will go towards an onsite, 30-piece outdoor gym – ‘Jade’s Gym’.
Having surpassed the fundraising target, Battling Brook has organised for a contractor to fit the outdoor gym during the May half term.
The school partnered with Empire Gym in Hinckley, who welcomed staff and people across the area to the gym in extended opening hours to help the Gilbert’s Globetrotters meet their target of over 25,000 miles.
In the evening of Thursday 10th April, pupils and parents took to Richmond Park in Hinckley for a group bike ride. Dr Luke Evans, Member of Parliament for Hinckley and Bosworth, was asked by the school to fire the starting gun for the bike ride. Each lap of the park was 0.5 of a mile, with the riders managing to cover 849 miles on the evening helping to complete their circumnavigation of the globe.
Dr Luke Evans, Member of Parliament for Hinckley and Bosworth, said “It was a real pleasure to be asked by Battling Brook Primary School to start the big Gilbert’s Globetrotters bike ride around Richmond Park in memory of Miss Gilbert, a dearly missed member of the team.
“Seeing the community come together through sport, getting fit and making a difference is really inspiring. From cycling over 25,000 miles to now having a 30-piece outdoor gym, this is a lasting legacy of fitness that will do Hinckley proud, all in memory of Jade.
“Well done to everyone involved in organising the event and to Battling Brook Primary School PTFA for running the refreshment station!”
In a message to everyone who supported their efforts, Gilbert's Globetrotters said “As we all settle in to what an incredible achievement we have made, our thoughts turn once again to Jade. It is important to take a moment for her family and her gym community, who have been working tirelessly in the background too.
“A huge, special thank you goes to every single person at Empire Fitness for their dedication in their mileage, staff working extended hours, donating to this amazing legacy and for Jade's family for their passion, time and support in helping us build this in memory of Jade.
“Jade will always be in our hearts, and now, a permanent reminder of Jade's gym on our school grounds will hold her in our thoughts daily.”
