THIS week, students of Harlow Gymnastics club took to the crash mat to hop, jump and skip in their bright and bold clothing all in honour of their former coach, Keely Shulton, and to raise funds for St Clare Hospice who cared for her.

The Harlow-based club held a sponsored gymnastic fundraiser at the club in Sumners Community Centre. The event is part of a wider sponsored fundraising campaign, Jump into Colour, aimed at primary schools and sports clubs across West Essex and East Hertfordshire.

Jump into Colour challenges participants to gain sponsorship as they complete a series of exercises curated by the gymnastics club, all whilst wearing their most colourful sportswear.

Peter James, Manager and Co-owner of Harlow Gymnastics Club, developed the idea for Jump into Colour when his friend and former colleague, Keely, began to receive care at the Hospice in October 2021, before she sadly died on 30th April 2022.

Peter James said: “We have created this fundraising campaign on behalf of, and in memory of, our fantastic coach Keely who lost her battle with cancer in April of this year. Keely coached and helped so many children in our club for many years, and she truly was a fantastic coach, colleague and friend to many of us in the gymnastics world.”

Peter elaborated, “Running a project like this was something we discussed with Keely and her family after the incredible support and care they received from St Clare Hospice. From the moment they took Keely into their care, Keely and her husband, Lee, wanted to try and do something to help the Hospice and raise money for a vital and much-needed charity. And so Jump into Colour was created!”

Peter continued, “The sponsored exercise programme has been designed especially for children to take part in, as they were always the focal point for Keely. We hope many others will take on the Jump into Colour fundraising challenge, and we encourage as many sports clubs and schools to organise their own fundraiser. It’s a great way to get kids to engage in exercise, but most importantly, raise as much as possible for the Hospice, so that they can keep caring for local families, both now and in the future.”

Lee Shulton, Keely’s husband, commented: “I’m delighted to see Jump into Colour launch; a fantastic way to honour Keely’s legacy and raise money for St Clare. Before she died, we were able to show Keely the marketing for the campaign, and she was so pleased it was going to go ahead.”

Harlow Gymnastics Club have already raised £885 of their £2,000 fundraising goal. £2,000 would be enough to fund 3 days of care on the Inpatient Unit for a person with complex symptoms, enabling their family members to become husbands, wives, sons and daughters again, rather than carers.

Ellie Gale, Community Fundraiser at St Clare Hospice, stated: “It’s lovely when people approach us and ask if they can host events in aid of the Hospice. Whether they have a personal connection to the Hospice or not, it really is touching that so many people want to support us especially as it means we’re able to help more families in need of our care.”

A Jump into Colour event can be hosted by any primary school, sports club or Scout group, across West Essex and East Hertfordshire.

To find out more and to receive your Jump into Colour fundraising starter pack, please contact Ellie Gale, Community Fundraiser, on 01279 773734 or visit: https://stclarehospice.org.uk/event/jump-into-colour-for-st-clare/

To sponsor the Harlow Gymnastics Club Jump into Colour fundraiser, visit:

https://gofund.me/9beec84a