Beggars Group CEO To Swim Across The English Channel to raise money for PRS Foundation and Sweet Relief

Beggars Group CEO to swim across The English Channel to raise money for PRS Foundation and Sweet Relief

Fundraising Target of £200,000 for US and UK charities with targeted Covid-19 Relief and Black Lives Matter support

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This September, Paul Redding, CEO of the Beggars Group (home to the independent record labels 4AD, Matador, Rough Trade, XL, and Young Turks), will take on the huge challenge of swimming across the English Channel for charity.

The Channel challenge is the ultimate sponsored swim. At a minimum 21 miles between the shores of England and France (the distance can be longer depending on the current), it is a feat few have attempted and even fewer have been able to complete. To put it in perspective, more people have successfully climbed Mount Everest than swam the English Channel. As it is such a test of physical endurance, Redding has set a fundraising target of £200,000 which will be split evenly and donated to two music charities, the PRS Foundation (UK) and Sweet Relief Musicians Fund (US).

The proceeds raised for the PRS Foundation will help them power up Black music creators and Black industry professionals through a large-scale programme they will announce later this year. The donation to Sweet Relief will go directly to their Covid-19 Fund which provides much-needed financial support to US-based musicians and music industry workers affected by Coronavirus.

Paul Redding says,

“The swim between England and France has been something I have wanted to attempt for many years and the timing of it during these extraordinary times presents an opportunity to raise a lot of much needed money for charities in the UK and US.”

PRS Foundation CEO, Joe Frankland says,

“The Black Lives Matter movement has galvanised many companies to reflect, connect and pledge solidarity to the Black music community. That solidarity must be met with new approaches which foster meaningful change. As an inclusive and collaborative funder, we are pleased to be developing an ambitious, long-term response with support from our main donor, PRS for Music and music industry organisations and individuals that want to get involved. We applaud Paul Redding and the team at Beggars for this massive commitment and encourage the music community to get behind Paul and the programme.”

Read PRS Foundation commitment following Black Lives Matter movement discussions

Sweet Relief says,

“Sweet Relief is honored to be a beneficiary of Beggars Group’s amazing fundraiser, we wish Paul all the best as he takes on this incredible challenge! The funds raised will benefit our COVID-19 Fund which supports music industry professionals in desperate financial need due to the pandemic. Thank you to all of the amazing labels under the Beggars umbrella; thank you for giving back to the community when we need you the most. Go Paul!”

We are inviting friends and colleagues from the creative industries to help him reach his target of £200,000. Beggars Group has already committed to donating £1,000 for every mile Redding covers, plus an extra £25,000 should he complete the Channel challenge. So please: dig deep.