The Roundhouse has marked its 20th anniversary in record-breaking style, with 130 walkers raising over £700,000 for its life-changing youth programmes after completing a 26-mile trek across the Oxfordshire countryside.
The annual Challenge Trek, which took place on Saturday 6 June, brought together Roundhouse staff, partners, supporters and donors to take on a marathon-distance route in support of the charity’s work with young people. This year’s event was particularly significant, taking place exactly 20 years 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, alongside a large team from Inflexion. Their efforts, combined with match funding from the Inflexion Foundation, helped drive this year’s fundraising total to a record-breaking level.
The funds raised will support the Roundhouse’s extensive creative youth programme, which engages more than 10,000 young people aged 11–30 every 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 at the heart of everything it does.
Since 2020, the organisation’s Challenge Events have raised more than £2 million, helping to ensure that creative opportunities remain 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 help 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.”
Every ticket purchased at the Roundhouse directly supports its creative youth programme. For more information and donations, visit www.roundhouse.org.uk.
