Barefoot London Marathon – youth orchestra alum runs for change

Orchestras for All (OFA) is delighted to share that National Orchestra for All (NOFA) alum, Cameron Jacobs, will be running the London Marathon barefoot in support of the charity.

On Sunday 27 April, the 18-year-old musician will be joining his mum, Polly, OFA supporter, Gabriel, and tens of thousands of other participants to make the annual 26.2-mile journey across the city. But Cameron won’t just be running for himself. He’s running barefoot, with every step dedicated to a cause that’s close to his heart: increasing access to group music-making for young people across the UK.

Cameron said: 

“I have ADHD, Autism and Tourette’s and when I was 11 years old, I was going through a bit of a tricky time. Orchestras for All came along, took me on as a trumpet player, and gave me a place to belong and be completely me.

 

“Orchestras for All has been really life-transforming for me and this is why I wanted to raise money for them by doing this barefoot challenge. I hope this enables more young people who are facing significant challenges in their life to be part of this incredible organisation.”

Cameron’s journey is more than an impressive athletic feat; it’s a story of resilience, passion and the transformative power of group music-making. Before joining NOFA as a trumpet player, he had experienced significant barriers to entry for playing in a national youth orchestra due to the daily life challenges that he faces.

Through NOFA, Cameron was able to boost his confidence and mental wellbeing, be part of a vibrant community, make lifelong friends from diverse backgrounds and pursue what he loved the most – making music with others.

Today, Cameron is proud to be an OFA Ambassador. This is a paid role offered to NOFA alums to help them develop new skills and use their own lived experience to support and inspire current members. He is also a keen music student at university, demonstrating the positive impact that OFA’s inclusive music-making activities have had on the course of his life.

Now, Cameron wants to give back to others by using his marathon run to raise vital funds for OFA, enabling the charity to empower even more young musicians across the country who might not otherwise have the opportunity to enjoy the many benefits of group music-making.

Running the London Marathon is tough, but running it barefoot adds an entirely new level of challenge. Cameron’s decision to do so symbolises the growing need to break down barriers, face adversity head-on and stand strong for inclusivity in music education. This feat is a powerful reminder that endurance can help us to overcome any obstacle.

How you can support Cameron’s barefoot marathon

This campaign is more than just one person’s journey – it’s a move committed to raising awareness about the need for change in music.

• Please donate what you can: Every contribution, no matter how big or small, helps OFA provide musical instruments, life-changing programmes and holistic support for young people who need it the most.
  Please donate here.
• Share Cameron’s story: Spread the word on social media using OFA’s blog and campaign hashtag, #BarefootForAll.
• Follow the journey: Stay updated on Cameron’s progress, training and London marathon day through OFA’s social media channels and sign up to OFA’s email newsletter for more.

Cameron’s barefoot marathon is a bold statement about resilience, inclusivity and the power of music to transform young lives. Let’s celebrate his extraordinary journey and help him reach his fundraising goal. Together, we can make music accessible to all, one step at a time.

Thank you to OFA’s funders, individual donors and supporters for making its life-changing work possible.