Penguin Random House UK walks 3,300 miles, turning London orange in support of Ministry of Stories

On Friday 12 May more than 470 employees took part in “The Walk”, a Penguin Random House UK institution.

Employees raised over £7,000 for creative writing and mentoring charity Ministry of Stories by completing a 7-mile route through London, past iconic landmarks and through the Royal Parks.

Co-founded by Penguin Random House author Nick Hornby in 2010, Ministry of Stories is a creative writing and mentoring space for disadvantaged young people aged 8-18 years. Ministry of Stories helps young people discover and realise their own creative potential through innovative creative writing programmes, including after-school writing workshops. By making writing fun and accessible they help young people find their voices and unleash their imaginations, building their confidence, self-respect and communication skills.

The Walk marks the start of #MiniFest – a month-long celebration of Penguin Random House UK’s partnership with Ministry of Stories. #MiniFest will include a series of events for employees to bring to life the charity’s impact, including ‘story-making workshops for grownups’ and a talk from co-founder Nick Hornby on writing and creativity. They will also have the chance to win a writing workshop for their own children hosted by Ministry of Stories. 

13 Penguin Random House employees are also taking part in training to become online writing mentors during #MiniFest, helping Ministry of Stories to trial an innovative digital tool, The Story Engine, which aims to take their unique approach to creative writing into schools nationwide.

Volunteers and staff from Ministry of Stories joined The Walk, including Director & Co-Founder Ben Payne, who commented: “It has been incredible to see so many people coming together to support Ministry of Stories. The Walk is a very special opportunity to celebrate our partnership with Penguin Random House and to raise vital funds to help us continue supporting young people, and helping them to discover their courage and creativity”.

Well over 200 colleagues have been involved in other ways with our Ministry of Stories partnership – from mentoring to fundraising challenges to volunteering with Hoxton Street Monster Supplies to offering their professional expertise as designers and editors.