Boardmasters Foundation Donates Over £140,000 to Cornish Organisations in 2024

Published On: 27 July 2025Last Updated: 27 July 2025By CornishStuff

Over 50 Local Causes Share £140,000 From 2024 Festival Fund

The Boardmasters Foundation has announced the recipients of its 2024 funding, with over £140,000 donated to more than 50 organisations, schools, and charities across Cornwall.

Set up in 2017, the Foundation has now donated almost £600,000 to support community, cultural and environmental efforts across the county, raised through the annual Boardmasters Festival held at Watergate Bay and Fistral Beach.

Schools, Surf Clubs and Youth Groups Among Key Recipients

This year, over £33,000 was awarded to local schools, including Newquay Tretherras, Mawgan-in-Pydar Community Primary School, Newquay Primary Academy, Trenance Learning Academy and several others.

Surf lifesaving clubs and boardriders also benefited, with £15,000 going towards surf safety and access, including support for Newquay Boardriders and WGB Surf Life Saving Club.

Youth and community groups like Livewire Youth Project, Newquay Scouts, Gwealan Tops Adventure Playground and Youth Art Connect CIC received support for programmes that encourage creativity, mentoring, outdoor play and wellbeing.

Local Culture and Creativity Supported

Arts and culture groups were among the biggest recipients. Newquay Murals project (MUQY) was awarded funds for a mural painted by artist Chris Dorning, near Fistral Beach. Other beneficiaries include Coppice Theatre, Cscape Dance CIC, An Rosweyth, House of Damnation CIC and the Nansledan Arts Festival, helping to celebrate Cornish identity and bring creativity to local communities.

TR7 Skatepark in Newquay received funding to support the creation of membership packs, continuing its role as a safe space for young people interested in skating and urban culture. The Concrete Waves skatepark, also in Newquay, will see improvements to its beginner slope as part of ongoing multi-year donations.

Environmental and Ocean Protection at the Forefront

Over £20,000 was donated to environmental causes, including support for The 2 Minute Foundation and Oceana UK. The funds will go towards beach cleans, plastic reduction efforts, and national campaigns to protect marine biodiversity.

Hugo Tagholm, Executive Director of Oceana UK, said:
“Through our partnership with Boardmasters festival we have had an incredible opportunity to further Oceana’s hard-hitting campaigns to stop big business from destroying marine sanctuaries and ocean life around our island nation… We look forward to working with Boardmasters again this year to celebrate our ocean and take action to protect it.”

Ongoing Support for Consent Education and Local Infrastructure

The Schools Consent Project, which delivers early education around respect and personal boundaries in Cornish secondary schools, will receive continued funding. The Foundation has also reaffirmed its commitment to improving Newquay Train Station toilets, and is continuing its support for long-term partners in 2025.

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.”