The Roundhouse has celebrated its 20th anniversary in record-breaking fashion, with 130 participants raising more than £700,000 for its transformative youth programmes after completing a 26-mile walk across the Oxfordshire countryside.
The annual Challenge Trek, held recently, united Roundhouse staff, partners, supporters, and donors to traverse a marathon-distance route in support of the charity's work with young people. This year's event carried extra significance, occurring exactly two decades after the iconic Camden venue reopened as a world-class performing arts centre and youth charity.
Leading the challenge was Roundhouse Chair and Inflexion managing partner Simon Turner, accompanied by a large team from Inflexion. Their efforts, boosted by match funding from the Inflexion Foundation, propelled this year's fundraising total to an unprecedented level.
The funds raised will bolster the Roundhouse's extensive creative youth programme, which reaches over 10,000 young people aged 11 to 30 each year. Through affordable opportunities in music, media, performing arts, and professional development, the programme helps young people build skills, confidence, and careers in the creative industries.
While the Roundhouse welcomes more than 330,000 audience members annually to gigs, performances, and events, its charitable mission remains central to its operations. Since 2020, the organisation's Challenge Events have raised over £2 million, ensuring creative opportunities stay accessible to young people from all backgrounds.
Jenny Mollica, CEO of Roundhouse, said: "This year's Challenge Trek was a powerful celebration of the Roundhouse's impact over the past 20 years and our ambition for the future. It was inspiring to welcome so many determined walkers at the finish line. A special thank you to our Chair, Simon Turner, and the team at Inflexion, whose leadership, enthusiasm, and support - alongside match funding from the Inflexion Foundation - helped make the trek such a success. Every mile walked and pound raised will help create life-changing opportunities for the next generation of young creatives. I'm incredibly proud of everyone who took part and grateful to the supporters, partners, and donors who make this work possible."
The Roundhouse also thanked its longstanding supporters, including Inflexion, Wiggin, The Foundation, and World Odyssey, whose generosity continues to expand opportunities for young people. Simon Turner, managing partner at Inflexion and Chair of Roundhouse, said: "The trek is always a challenge, but it's one we keep coming back to because we care deeply about the impact Roundhouse has on young people's lives. Taking part during the organisation's 20th anniversary year made it even more special. The record-breaking support we've seen reflects the strength of the Roundhouse community and our shared belief in the power of creativity to transform lives. I'm excited to see the opportunities this fundraising effort will create for young people in the years ahead."
The Roundhouse is a youth charity and independent multi-arts venue in Camden, London. Set within a Grade II* listed performance space, it is the UK's leading creative centre for young people, engaging over 10,000 annually through its creative youth programme. Every ticket purchased at the Roundhouse directly supports its creative youth programme. For more information and donations, visit www.roundhouse.org.uk.
