REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: |
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND |
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 29 FEBRUARY 2024 |
FOR |
STRONGBONES CHILDREN'S CHARITABLE TRUST |
(A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) |
REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: |
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND |
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 29 FEBRUARY 2024 |
FOR |
STRONGBONES CHILDREN'S CHARITABLE TRUST |
(A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) |
STRONGBONES CHILDREN'S CHARITABLE TRUST |
CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
for the Year Ended 29 February 2024 |
Page |
Report of the Trustees | 1 | to | 5 |
Independent Examiner's Report | 6 |
Statement of Financial Activities | 7 |
Balance Sheet | 8 | to | 9 |
Notes to the Financial Statements | 10 | to | 15 |
STRONGBONES CHILDREN'S CHARITABLE TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 04188918) |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES |
for the Year Ended 29 February 2024 |
The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year end. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015). |
We are pleased to present our report for the year and to take this opportunity to thank all those who contributed towards making the year successful in providing support for many children, young people, their families and carers over the last year. |
Our aim is to encourage children and young people with lifelong medical conditions to grow by supporting them, their families and carers. Allowing each youngster to gain experiences as individuals enriching their lives through inspiration, stimulation, participation, excitement and education. |
We believe that by working with and supporting families we can increase aspirations and widen understanding to allow young people to live more fulfilled lives. |
Legal and administrative information set out on page 1 forms part of this report. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and reporting by Charities (issued in March 2005). |
We have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our aim and objectives and in planning our future activities. In particular, the trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives they have set. |
STRONGBONES CHILDREN'S CHARITABLE TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 04188918) |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES |
for the Year Ended 29 February 2024 |
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES |
Objectives and activities for the Public benefit |
The objectives of the charity are to provide emotional/practical support, equipment and financial assistance for the benefit of children/young people under the age of twenty one that have severe disabilities coupled with brittle bone disease, scoliosis, spina bifida and all other skeletal conditions. We achieve this by decreasing social isolation and increasing inclusion through supplying life changing disability/educational equipment. We also provide group residentials, educational opportunities, respite, practical and emotional support to parents and carers along with access to accessible sports. The charity has now been registered for twenty three years, giving us significant expertise in our field. |
The main activities of the charity during the year have been to adapt our new respite home for wheelchair users and to install and equip a changing place and pool hoist into the facilities. We also continue to support individual children and young people who suffer with the debilitating effects of their health problems by providing disability/educational equipment and services stated in the above objectives. Our overall intention is to bring relief wherever possible, increasing understanding of the impact that these conditions can create. By improving the level of knowledge for parents and carers of medical developments and equipment that may benefit their children, this intern will allow them to live a fuller and more independent life. |
We continue working with services and health authorities towards improving the quality of life for individuals, providing the best matches of facilities and equipment that are available. Our ever widening Support Network is complimented through the provision of our online support group via Facebook and Messenger apps; access is available for families and carers to exchange information, learn from their experiences and widen their knowledge base, allowing people to develop useful ways in which they can benefit from a wider range of information, thus preventing people from feeling isolated. For many parents our support network of over 1,000 families provides an essential lifeline in facing the difficulties arising from their children's conditions. The support network is managed every day during working hours and evenings up until 10pm 7 days per week for families needing personal emotional support via our family support workers. |
We have a dedicated panel forming the organisational structure of the charity, helping us to coordinate new and current projects and trial equipment. Our panel has considerable practical experience, valid skill sets and a wide knowledge base, including a qualified occupational therapist, palliative care advisor, transition to adult's services, EHCP and debt management. All our team have lived experience of parenting children with complex needs along with our project development officer who is a fulltime wheelchair user with cerebral palsy, giving us invaluable knowledge from a young disabled adults perspective. Together, we all form a visionary team led by the very people we seek to benefit, and we look forward to holistically helping as many families as we can during an extremely tough year ahead. |
FINANCIAL REVIEW |
Principal funding sources |
We have relied upon pledged donations and events to fund activities and provide support for families. The trustees would wish to record their gratitude to our supporters who have helped us to raise £389,388 from a wide range of activities. These have included sponsored and organised events, and donations from corporate and trusts/foundations. The charity saw a decrease in its income of £76,703. We have secured a donation for the upcoming financial year that has allowed us to plan in advance and we expect an increase in income in line with the previous year's accounts. |
Investment policy and objectives |
The charity's Memorandum of Association does not confer any specific right or restrictions on us as trustees in respect of investing its funds. The funds received by the charity during the period under review were not sufficient to justify separate investment, other than to be placed on deposit with the charity's bankers. |
Reserves policy |
The charity aims to hold a reserve of at least £50,000. Current reserves are £75,095 (2023 £95,047) The surplus of reserves over £50,000 are earmarked to be used to purchase equipment and adapt a respite home. |
STRONGBONES CHILDREN'S CHARITABLE TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 04188918) |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES |
for the Year Ended 29 February 2024 |
FUTURE PLANS |
As the trustees of the charity, we continue to widen our knowledge of achievements and provide the best disability equipment on the market for the management and control of the conditions of these children and young people. |
Winter is fast approaching and with no further government targeted support for disabled families this year, we project further increases in disabled child poverty. Applications continue to rise at unprecedented levels as our families continue to grapple with food poverty and keeping their clinically vulnerable children warm due to their low immune systems and respiratory diseases. We are one of the only UK children's charities providing tangible financial help towards these costs as well as advocacy. This already marginalized community continues to struggle to supply food, clothing, and heating into their homes, without the added costs of disability equipment which is becoming increasingly difficult to be funded by services. Waiting lists for disability equipment are at an all-time high leaving children and carers at risk and living without basic dignity, leaving us to bridge the gap where our funding allows. |
The charity plans to purchase a second respite home at the same site to complement the one we already have and duplicate this existing working model to include a bespoke profiling bed, track hoisting, a beach wheelchair and other equipment. This will allow families to meet up and forge lifelong relationships and support networks. |
We will continue to support children and young people we encounter with a view to enriching their lives and to provide support as set out in the objects of the charity that allows them to be fully integrated into society. We will continue to provide life changing equipment to enable disabled children to lead more independent lives. We plan to organise more group residential breaks following on from our highly successful trips to the Lake District for wheelchair inclusive activities. |
We will passionately endeavor to lift more children out of social isolation this year and give them the ability to participate in everyday life, while supporting families in coming to terms with their child having a long-term, incurable disability that ultimately has a life changing effect on the entire family. We are building upon the success of last year's projects and plan for further innovative and inclusive projects during 2024 to enable us to continue to push boundaries and break down barriers. |
We will build upon the established contacts and expertise that already exist within the sphere of support from our charity for children with complex needs. We will continue to encourage children and young people with lifelong medical conditions by supporting them, their families, and carers by giving each young person the opportunity to gain experiences as individuals and enriching their lives through inclusion, stimulation, inspiration and education. We believe that by working with and supporting families we can increase aspirations and widen understanding to allow young people with disabilities to build confidence to live more fulfilled lives. |
This invaluable work is subject to our continuation to raise funds that allow us to support children and young people to live fuller and more independent and inclusive lives. The charity does not intend to extend its activities beyond those that are covered by our aims and objectives; we do not intend to focus on medical research. |
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT |
Governing document |
The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 28 March 2001, and registered as a charity on 17 April 2001. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association, which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association. In the event of the company being wound up, members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £10. |
Recruitment and appointment of new trustees |
The directors of the company are also charity trustees for the purpose of charity law and throughout this report are collectively referred to as the trustees. The charity has four trustees. The Trustees are elected annually by the members of the company at the Annual General Meeting. The current trustees recognise and value the opportunities of recruiting trustees that reflect the wider society and diversity of the children and young people whom the charity wishes to support. |
STRONGBONES CHILDREN'S CHARITABLE TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 04188918) |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES |
for the Year Ended 29 February 2024 |
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT |
Organisational structure |
The charity has four trustees and meetings are three times a year. These formal meetings are complimented by regular interaction by trustees. These meetings allow the direction and policy to be reviewed against the demands of a constantly changing environment. |
Principal delegation of fundraising was maintained under the day-to-day control of the CEO, who also oversees general administration and personnel issues, dealt with on behalf of the trustees. These responsibilities are in manageable sections which the trustees, together with the CEO, can maintain. |
The management of all charitable donations is undertaken directly by the Trustees, together with the CEO. Policies remain in place for those cases of urgency where retrospective authority may be appropriate. |
Induction and training of new trustees |
Training and induction to the contribution of the charity continue to be at the forefront of any increase in the size of the trustee board. We are sufficiently small in size to incorporate training into manageable activities and to lead into the successful induction of new trustees. |
All of the trustees give of their time freely and no trustee remuneration was paid during the year. |
Related parties |
The charity has maintained its association with those who continue to compliment and support our aims and objectives. These include organisations and those medical institutions whose work is directly linked to the charity's aims and objectives. In addition, the charity has been fortunate to benefit from support from a number of companies that have allowed us to assist individuals and families that might otherwise be excluded from society. |
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS |
Registered Company number |
Registered Charity number |
Registered office |
Trustees |
Company Secretary |
STRONGBONES CHILDREN'S CHARITABLE TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 04188918) |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES |
for the Year Ended 29 February 2024 |
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS |
Independent Examiner |
Stephen Farra Associates Limited |
98 Hornchurch Road |
Hornchurch |
Essex |
RM11 1JS |
Approved by order of the board of trustees on |
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF |
STRONGBONES CHILDREN'S CHARITABLE TRUST |
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Strongbones Children's Charitable Trust ('the Company') |
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 29 February 2024. |
Responsibilities and basis of report |
As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act'). |
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act. |
Independent examiner's statement |
Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, which is one of the listed bodies. |
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe: |
1. | accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or |
2. | the accounts do not accord with those records; or |
3. | the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or |
4. | the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)). |
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. |
Julie Walker FCCA |
Stephen Farra Associates Limited |
98 Hornchurch Road |
Hornchurch |
Essex |
RM11 1JS |
22 August 2024 |
STRONGBONES CHILDREN'S CHARITABLE TRUST |
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES |
for the Year Ended 29 February 2024 |
2024 | 2023 |
Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total |
fund | fund | funds | funds |
Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ |
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM |
Donations and legacies |
Investment income | 2 |
Total |
EXPENDITURE ON |
Fundraising |
Charitable activities |
Support Costs |
Total |
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) | ( |
) | ( |
) |
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS |
Total funds brought forward |
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 95,047 |
STRONGBONES CHILDREN'S CHARITABLE TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 04188918) |
BALANCE SHEET |
29 February 2024 |
2024 | 2023 |
Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total |
fund | fund | funds | funds |
Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ |
FIXED ASSETS |
Tangible assets | 6 |
CURRENT ASSETS |
Debtors | 7 |
Cash at bank |
CREDITORS |
Amounts falling due within one year | 8 | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) |
NET CURRENT ASSETS |
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES |
CREDITORS |
Amounts falling due after more than one year | 9 | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) |
NET ASSETS |
FUNDS | 11 |
Unrestricted funds | 95,047 |
TOTAL FUNDS | 95,047 |
The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 29 February 2024. |
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 29 February 2024 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. |
The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for |
(a) | ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and |
(b) | preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company. |
STRONGBONES CHILDREN'S CHARITABLE TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 04188918) |
BALANCE SHEET - continued |
29 February 2024 |
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime. |
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on |
STRONGBONES CHILDREN'S CHARITABLE TRUST |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
for the Year Ended 29 February 2024 |
1. | ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
Basis of preparing the financial statements |
The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. |
Income |
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. |
Donations, are recognised when the charity has been notified in writing of both the amount and settlement date. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance before the charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charity and it is probable that those conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period. |
Expenditure |
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. |
Raising funds |
raising funds includes all expenditure incurred by the charity to raise funds for its charitable purposes and includes costs of all fundraising activities, events and non-charitable trading. |
Tangible fixed assets |
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life. |
Fixtures and fittings | - |
Taxation |
The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities. |
Fund accounting |
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. |
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes. |
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements. |
STRONGBONES CHILDREN'S CHARITABLE TRUST |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
for the Year Ended 29 February 2024 |
2. | INVESTMENT INCOME |
2024 | 2023 |
£ | £ |
Deposit account interest |
3. | NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) |
Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting): |
2024 | 2023 |
£ | £ |
Depreciation - owned assets |
4. | TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS |
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 29 February 2024 nor for the year ended 28 February 2023. |
Trustees' expenses |
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 29 February 2024 nor for the year ended 28 February 2023. |
5. | STAFF COSTS |
2024 | 2023 |
£ | £ |
Wages and salaries |
161,248 | 165,815 |
During the year, child and family ambassadors amounted to 10 volunteers. |
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows: |
2024 | 2023 |
Charitable | 2 | 2 |
Administration | 1 | 1 |
Fundraising | 2 | 2 |
Charitable Intern | 1 | 1 |
STRONGBONES CHILDREN'S CHARITABLE TRUST |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
for the Year Ended 29 February 2024 |
6. | TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS |
Fixtures |
and |
fittings |
£ |
COST |
At 1 March 2023 and 29 February 2024 |
DEPRECIATION |
At 1 March 2023 |
Charge for year |
At 29 February 2024 |
NET BOOK VALUE |
At 29 February 2024 |
At 28 February 2023 |
7. | DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
2024 | 2023 |
£ | £ |
Other debtors |
8. | CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
2024 | 2023 |
£ | £ |
Bank loans and overdrafts (see note 10) |
Social security and other taxes |
Pension | 498 | - |
Accrued expenses |
STRONGBONES CHILDREN'S CHARITABLE TRUST |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
for the Year Ended 29 February 2024 |
9. | CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE AFTER MORE THAN ONE YEAR |
2024 | 2023 |
£ | £ |
Bank loans (see note 10) |
10. | LOANS |
An analysis of the maturity of loans is given below: |
2024 | 2023 |
£ | £ |
Amounts falling due within one year on demand: |
Bank overdrafts |
Amounts falling between one and two years: |
Bank loans - 1-2 years |
Amounts falling due between two and five years: |
Bank loans - 2-5 years |
11. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS |
Net |
movement | At |
At 1.3.23 | in funds | 29.2.24 |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 95,047 | (19,952 | ) | 75,095 |
TOTAL FUNDS | (19,952 | ) | 75,095 |
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
Incoming | Resources | Movement |
resources | expended | in funds |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 390,490 | (410,442 | ) | (19,952 | ) |
TOTAL FUNDS | ( |
) | (19,952 | ) |
STRONGBONES CHILDREN'S CHARITABLE TRUST |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
for the Year Ended 29 February 2024 |
11. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued |
Comparatives for movement in funds |
Net |
movement | At |
At 1.3.22 | in funds | 28.2.23 |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 76,304 | 18,743 | 95,047 |
TOTAL FUNDS | 76,304 | 18,743 | 95,047 |
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
Incoming | Resources | Movement |
resources | expended | in funds |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 466,256 | (447,513 | ) | 18,743 |
TOTAL FUNDS | 466,256 | (447,513 | ) | 18,743 |
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows: |
Net |
movement | At |
At 1.3.22 | in funds | 29.2.24 |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 76,304 | (1,209 | ) | 75,095 |
TOTAL FUNDS | 76,304 | (1,209 | ) | 75,095 |
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
Incoming | Resources | Movement |
resources | expended | in funds |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 856,746 | (857,955 | ) | (1,209 | ) |
TOTAL FUNDS | 856,746 | (857,955 | ) | (1,209 | ) |
STRONGBONES CHILDREN'S CHARITABLE TRUST |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
for the Year Ended 29 February 2024 |
12. | RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES |