Over £140,000 awarded to good causes by Boardmasters Foundation

Friday, 25 July 2025 14:51

More than 50 organisations across Newquay and Cornwall are set to benefit from over £140,000 in funding from the Boardmasters Foundation.

The foundation, which has raised more than £600,000 since its launch in 2017, has this year allocated £33,000 to local schools, £15,000 to surf lifesaving clubs and boardriders, and over £29,000 to environmental projects. A further £40,000 will support a range of other charities, groups and community initiatives.

The funding, raised through the 2024 Boardmasters Festival, will support projects spanning education, surf safety, mental health, youth services, creative arts and environmental causes. Beneficiaries include partners such as The Wave Project, Surfing England Junior Series and The Schools Consent Project, as well as local organisations like Newquay Primary Academy, ALMA Artspace CIC, Nikki White Therapy CIC and 99p Films.

Andrew Topham, CEO and Founder of Boardmasters Festival, said:
“Each year, we’re inspired by the incredible work being done in Cornwall. The Boardmasters Foundation is our way of giving back to this place we’re so lucky to call home. We want to say thank you to every single festivalgoer and partner who contributed – no matter how big or small the donation, you’ve helped make a tangible difference.”

Education continues to be a key focus, with over £33,000 going to schools including Mawgan-in-Pydar Community Primary, Newquay Junior Academy, Newquay Tretherras, St Columb Major ACE Academy, The Bishops’ C of E Learning Academy, Trenance Learning Academy, Trevisker Community Primary, Treviglas School, Nansledan School and others.

Funding has also been awarded to TR7 Skatepark to support membership initiatives.

Arts and culture projects are well represented. The Newquay Murals project (MUQY) received backing, including support for a new mural by artist Chris Dorning near Fistral Beach. Other arts recipients include House of Damnation CIC, Coppice Theatre, Cscape Dance CIC, An Rosweyth cultural group and the Nansledan Arts Festival.

Environmental funding highlights include a £20,000 donation to Oceana UK, a global ocean conservation charity working to protect marine biodiversity and preserve the world’s oceans for future generations.

The Boardmasters Festival returns to Watergate Bay and Fistral Beach from 6–10 August 2025. Applications for the next round of Boardmasters Foundation funding will open this autumn.