Teen Runs Marathon to Fundraise for UK's National Orchestra for All

Cameron Jacobs hopes to become the youngest person to run the London Marathon barefoot, all while raising money for the inclusive youth orchestra he has played in for seven years

18-year-old British musician Cameron Jacobs has decided to run the London Marathon barefoot, alongside his mother, in an effort to raise funds for an inclusive youth orchestra that has been an important part of his life.

Jacobs, who has ADHD, Tourette's Syndrome, and autism, became a member of the National Orchestra for All (NOFA) when he was 11 years old. Since that time, the ensemble has given him countless opportunities, including playing ensemble music, conducting, and sitting on the orchestra's Youth Board.

NOFA is an inclusive, non-auditioned national youth orchestra. It welcomes young people from all backgrounds, with a wide range of musical abilities, playing any instrument of their choice — and is specifically targeted at players who wouldn't otherwise get to play in a national orchestra.

The ensemble is open to those aged 11-19, and its wide repertoire consists of pop songs, classical works, film favourites, jazz, video-game soundtracks, and world music.

You can read more about the campaign and make a donation here.

"The impact of organizations like NOFA in these youngsters’ lives go far beyond the courses themselves," wrote Polly Jacobs, Cameron's mother. "Cameron is now at mainstream college and has just received an unconditional offer to study music performance at university — something that we would have never believed was possible 7 years ago."

"Having experienced first hand the amazing work NOFA do to support young people like Cameron we decided we would like to run the London marathon together to raise money for them and enable more young people facing challenges in their lives to experience being part of this incredible organization."