THE charitable arm of the Boardmasters surf and music festival has announced it is donating £115,000 to good causes, which was raised during last year’s event.
The Boardmasters Foundation will be distributing funds to more than 40 local organisations that is collected through various ways such as the cup deposit scheme and the return parking charge.
This year’s donations are being used to fund independent creatives in Cornwall, develop community spaces, add facilities at Newquay train station, support community outreach programs, provide surf therapy courses, and support trainers and teachers, among other initiatives.
More than £20,000 has been donated to schools across the region including Treviglas Academy, Newquay Junior Academy, Trenance Learning Academy, Trevisker Community Primary School and St Columb Major Ace Academy.
The Boardmasters Foundation has donated for a second year to The Schools Consent Project, continuing its proactive work in stamping out anti-social behaviour. Last year, workshops were hosted in Truro High School and Treviglas with The Schools Consent Project, alongside volunteer lawyers, teaching students' the legal definition of consent, aiming to normalise conversations, safeguard young people and drive down sexual offending rates.
The programme has been expanded this year to Truro High School, Treviglas plus Tretherras and reaching 210 students. For the first time this year. Boardmasters will also broaden the Schools Consent Project outside of Cornwall in response to national demand, with a full day of workshops at Epsom College.
Cornwall Pride, Adaptive Surfing, The Wave Project, Newquay Food bank, Newquay Safe Spaces, Black Voices Cornwall and a host of other organisations and businesses have also gone on to receive donations this year.
Other recipients include Nansledan Community Association, Porth Residents Association, Newquay DISC, TR7 Skatepark, Blystra Arts, Newquay Beer Festival, Surfing England, Newquay Marine Group, Marine Conservation Society, Newquay Boardriders Club, Newquay Surflife Association and Newquay Scout Club.
Drew Creek, Mayor of Newquay said: “I am thrilled to hear that half a million in funding has been donated in the area by the Boardmasters Foundation, it really does make a difference here. Boardmasters and the Foundation have worked hard to support local community organisations and projects including funding towards our world class skatepark Concrete Waves, Newquay Foodbank and all schools in Newquay ensuring funding reaches those that need it most and helping to support children within our community.”
Carolyn Webster, CEO of CLEAR Support said: “The most welcome donation from the Boardmasters Foundation has been used to develop a whole-town approach to safe-spaces in Newquay, enabling organisations across the town to collaborate and to access CLEAR training and resources.
“It has had an immediate impact in the creation of a network of Safe Spaces and also a legacy in that it has inspired CLEAR to develop a blue-print to spread this approach across other towns in Cornwall. Thank you Boardmasters.”
Steven Mildenhall of Treviglas Academy added: “Being part of a school that is geographically so close to the one of the largest music festivals in the country feels very special, and the support that the Boardmasters Foundation has given the school is of huge value and benefit to our students. Not only does Boardmasters enable our school bands to perform at the festival, but the donation from the Boardmasters Foundation this year will go towards enhancing our sound and lighting facilities in the performing arts, and in doing so will inspire and widen opportunities for all students. Thank you Boardmasters!”
Established in 2017, the Boardmasters Foundation has raised almost half a million pounds, providing funds to over 100 deserving organisations including charities, start-ups, schools, conversation organisations, emergency services, creatives and skate parks.
Andrew Topham, CEO and founder of Boardmasters Festival said: “We are immensely proud of the Boardmasters Foundation.
“It was created as a meaningful way to give back and contribute to deserving organisations in Cornwall. We’re proud to call Cornwall our home, and we’re just as proud to be able to donate to charities, schools, businesses, and support incredible and often vital local causes.
“Thanks to everyone who so generously donates at Boardmasters, and we look forward to seeing this year’s funds put to good use.”
Fred Andrews, Cornwall team leader at Wave Project said: “On behalf of my team here at the Wave Project, I’d like to say a huge thank you to the Boardmasters Foundation for this incredible donation.
“The money we have been awarded will be used to fund our award winning Surf Therapy sessions here in Newquay and across Cornwall, helping young people from across the county who are struggling with their mental health to access the sea and enjoy the waves in a safe, supportive environment.”
Liam Jolly, the director of Auction House, added: “Auction House is delighted to have received support from the Boardmasters Foundation. Since 2018, Auction House has evolved from an unfunded studio project into a public-facing exhibition and project space showing exhibitions of contemporary art in the heart of Redruth.
“This summer, after two years of major renovations carried out by our landlords, we are excited to move back into our building. These improvements bring increased overheads and pressures, and we couldn’t be considering making this move back without the Boardmasters Foundation’s invaluable support. We are extremely grateful for their generosity.”
Newquay BID has been donated £5,000 towards a four by four metres stage that can be used at events and will also be available to rent by non BID members.
Mark Warren manager of Newquay BID said, “We are thrilled to have received funding from Boardmasters Foundation to purchase staging infrastructure that can support events for the community through the year and also the funding to provide training to launch the first town centre wide Safe Spaces project.”