The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 29 February 2024.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's [governing document], the Companies Act 2006 and "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).
Pulmonary Fibrosis NI (PFNI) is a charity governed by a constitution & recognised as a Private Limited Company by guarantee without share capital use of 'Limited' by Companies House, incorporated 8 February 2022; Company No. NI685604, Charity Number 109094.
It is managed by the trustees. Trustees are appointed by invitation & agreement of the Trustees at the AGM or an Extraordinary General Meeting. Trustees may hold office for a maximum of 2 years before re-appointment is required unless they resign or are removed from office by a resolution of the other trustees at the AGM or an Extraordinary General Meeting.
PFNI primarily seeks to benefit the Northern Ireland community through its activities which aim to provide support and relief for people living with Pulmonary Fibrosis and other Interstitial Lung Diseases in Northern Ireland and to advance education about Pulmonary Fibrosis and other Interstitial Lung Diseases.
Public Benefit
The public benefits that flow from this purpose are to:
foster an atmosphere of mutual support and encouragement among people suffering from Pulmonary Fibrosis and other Interstitial Lung Diseases (PF) and their carers, family and friends;
raise awareness for the benefit of the public about the effects of Pulmonary Fibrosis and other Interstitial Lung Diseases and methods of management of such disease;
raise awareness for the benefit of the public about the effects of Pulmonary Fibrosis and other Interstitial Lung Diseases and methods of management of such disease;
promote and raise awareness of the Organ Donor Register for the benefit of the public.
The beneficiaries of this purpose are people living in Northern Ireland who have been diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis and other interstitial lung diseases, their families, friends, colleagues, and the general public at large.
The direct benefits flowing from this purpose include improved mental health and reduced levels of stress and anxiety experienced by our beneficiaries & an increase in their knowledge of how to live well with their condition. These benefits are evidenced through feedback from beneficiaries at appropriate intervals. A private benefit flowing from this purpose is the experience and knowledge members receive. However, this is incidental and necessary as it is essential to ensure the benefit is provided to our beneficiaries. A private benefit is also gained by suppliers who receive payments for goods and services provided. The benefit is incidental and necessary to ensure that benefit is provided to our beneficiaries. Any expenses paid to Trustees is reimbursement for expenses necessarily incurred in pursuit of the aims of the charity or of purchases made on behalf of the charity.
The purposes of our charity may lead to the following risks:
Trips and falls when beneficiaries are using:
Puffin Lodge (our respite caravan). This facility is unsuitable for people who use wheelchairs or mobility scooters or who are unable to negotiate stairs. Site limitations are highlighted to applicants and mobility is assessed during the application process.
Events venues. Venues etc are assessed and chosen to ensure that the majority of our beneficiaries can attend & use safely and comfortably.
Some beneficiaries require oxygen (O2) which can be delivered to Puffin Lodge by BOC Ltd. The risks to beneficiaries associated with O2 include:
non-delivery by BOC (note: timely ordering of O2 for delivery to & use at Puffin Lodge is the responsibility of the beneficiary & they will contact BOC if this occurs);
The equipment required to meet the O2 requirements of the beneficiary would generate noise levels that are acceptable to other site users.
Oxygen needs are discussed with the applicant and assessed during the application process. Unfortunately Puffin Lodge, due to its location and construction, cannot facilitate the needs of all our beneficiaries.
O2 needs of beneficiaries are considered when organising events to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, that the majority of beneficiaries can attend.
The potential of any such harm or risk arising is outweighed by the benefit provided to the public.
The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
Review of Public Benefit Activities in 2023/24
PFNI continued to develop their activities to reach and serve people with Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF), their carers and families, and increase awareness of PF within the community at large.
Puffin Lodge, our respite static caravan in Ballycastle was officially opened on 30 March 2023 by Robin Swann, MLA and former Health Minister and Pat Gorman, ILD Specialist Nurse at Antrim Area Hospital & 2022 Patients Choice Nurse of the Year. Throughout the year (Mar-Nov) Puffin Lodge was well used by families to have a much needed break from home; it also hosted fundraising coffee mornings which welcomed other caravan owners and the general public and opened conversations about the work of PFNI.
Further public benefit activities included:
Production of a comprehensive information pack that clinicians give to their patients on diagnosis or can be requested from PFNI directly. These were developed in collaboration with specialist PF clinicians.
Weekly Zoom meeting were held for PF patients & monthly meeting for carers. Speakers from the Health Boards & NI Hospice were invited to talk to attendees about issues relevant to them including dealing with fatigue, nutrition, dealing with stress & anxiety, and the ever popular relaxation taster session.
The number of Ambassadors increased during the year & an Ambassador Co-ordinator (Trustee) appointed. Ambassadors liaise with and assist beneficiaries in their local area
Purchase of hand-held fans for distribution to PF patients by clinicians.
Education
We attended numerous events where we were able to provide information to the public about Pulmonary Fibrosis and PFNI. These ranged from fundraising events to specialist conferences.
Our website is extensive and regularly updated. We aim to support and supplement information provided by clinicians about PF and ensure that all information provided is accurate and current by liaising with medical professionals.
Annual Income
During the year the Charity generated incoming resources of £279,528.
All incomes were derived from personal or business donations and fundraising activities by our beneficiaries and supporters.
Annual Expenditure
Financially 2023/24 was a satisfactory year for PFNI. Apart from costs associated with administration of the charity all expenditure was in the furtherance of the aims of the charity. All volunteers are entitled to receive out-of-pocket expenses. All volunteers are entitled to receive travel expenses for journeys on official business which are paid at a standard rate accepted by HMRC as giving no personal gain to the recipient.
Outgoing resources were £30,145 leaving net incoming resources of £249,383 for the year to 31 March 2023.
Charity reserves should provide the organisation with adequate financial stability and the means for it to meet its charitable objectives for the foreseeable future.
The Trustees retain funds in the Charity to finance the ongoing running costs of the charity and to provide funds at short notice to finance the objectives of the charity.
The Trustees of PFNI plan to:
Purchase a property that is suitable for use all-year-round by even more PF patients, their carers & families, that is disability friendly, and is located in an area that is peaceful and relaxing for users.
Encourage the use of both properties by those living with PF to enjoy so rest and relaxation.
To continue to build strong relationships with medical professionals.
To continue to build relationships with local, national and international communities, businesses & charities to improve and increase awareness & knowledge of PF & PFNI.
To provide events and activities to benefit the knowledge, mental health and wellbeing of our beneficiaries.
To identify areas where we can provide support for family members of PF patients, including children.
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Pulmonary Fibrosis NI (the charity) for the year ended 29 February 2024.
As the trustees of the charity (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (the 2006 Act).
Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law, and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:
examine the accounts under section 65 of the Charities Act
follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland under section 65(9)(b) of the Charities Act
state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of Chartered Accountants Ireland, which is one of the listed bodies.
I have examined your charity accounts as required under section 65 of the Charities Act and my examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland under section 65(9)(b) of the Charities Act. The examination included a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also included consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as charity trustees concerning any such matters. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
the financial statements 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
the financial statements 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 financial statements to be reached.
Chartered Accountants
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Pulmonary Fibrosis NI is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in Northern Ireland. The registered office is 3 Churchfield Road, Ballycastle, BT54 6PJ, Northern Ireland.
This is the first period of account.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's [governing document], the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP "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). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, [modified to include the revaluation of freehold properties and to include investment properties and certain financial instruments at fair value]. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, 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 classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
Insurance
Puffin lodge costs
Office expenses
General expenses
Postage
Computer & website costs
Telephone
Printing
Travel & Accommodation
Member Gifts & Services
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The remuneration of key management personnel was as follows:
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2023 - none).