The Trustees, who are also directors for the purpose of company law, have the pleasure in presenting their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in notes, to the financial statements and comply with the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) 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)" and “The Financial Reporting Standard in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”).
Chair’s Report
In 2024, the Bighearted Scotland Committee continued progressing plans to relaunch the Payroll Giving Consortium and review the charity’s messaging, branding, website, promotional materials, and importantly our relationships with Payroll Giving Agencies (PGAs). Ensuring Bighearted Scotland is positioned at the forefront of Payroll Giving Organisation (PGO) recruitment campaigns remains a key priority. The relaunch aims to recruit new regular givers and increase income back to pre-pandemic levels.
Like many charities, Bighearted Scotland continues to face financial pressures. Following the sharp decline in regular giving during the Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing impact of the Cost-of-Living Crisis, restoring and growing income streams remains essential.
The relaunch, originally planned for 2024, was delayed due to the significant operational demands faced by the five charities within the Consortium. Additionally, after being notified of increased commission rates from both PGAs and PGOs, the Committee undertook a review of alternative options to ensure donor recruitment would be as cost-effective as possible. Following this review, Bighearted Scotland partnered with Give All, the first UK PGA company offering commission-free recruitment. The new Give All sign-up pages were integrated into the updated website.
The relaunch was rescheduled for February 2025, and an external PR and Media company was appointed to deliver the campaign, this timing aligned with National Payroll Giving Week. Our goal is to position Bighearted Scotland as Scotland’s leading payroll giving consortium and to raise vital funds for the five current member charities: Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland, Epilepsy Scotland, Society of Antiquaries Scotland, Erskine, and OneKind.
The ongoing cost-of-living crisis continues to place unprecedented strain on the voluntary sector, with all five charities experiencing rising demand for their services while navigating significant financial challenges. We are hopeful that the Bighearted Scotland relaunch will inspire the generosity of the Scottish public and help us increase income, enabling us to continue supporting those who need us most.
Deborah Roe
Chair
The purpose of the charity is to provide public benefit in Scotland and elsewhere by enabling the member charities to fundraise together under one umbrella title.
Member charities
Epilepsy Scotland
Erskine
OneKind
Penumbra (resigned as a member on 21 November 2024)
Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland (formally Scottish Spina Bifida Association)
On 25 August 2025, The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland became a member charity.
The main activity of the charity is income generation from payroll giving.
The fundamental source of income for Bighearted Scotland has always been and remains to be payroll giving. However, having made a significant investment in a short-term campaign in 2016, the result has been disappointing from payroll giving. The Trustees have noted a decrease in fundraising costs, due to reduced recruitment of new donors. This recruitment has been sporadic with our key partners. We are monitoring the success of ongoing recruitment and our attrition with measures in place to improve on this in the coming months. The result of the income generated in the year to December 2024 has allowed Bighearted to contribute £2,500 (2023: £4,000) to each of its charity members and support each of the charity’s aims.
The net deficit for the year is £2,203 (2023 - £10,402). The charity holds reserves, all of which are unrestricted, totalling £10,234 (2023 - £12,437).
Reserves policy
As the charity has no long-term commitments, paid employees and very little day to day running costs, there is no requirement for excessive reserves to be held. The Trustees are of the opinion that a minimum of £5,000 should be held as a reserve, which would be sufficient to cover costs should there be a decision taken to wind down the charity. As at the balance sheet date sufficient reserves are held to meet these costs.
Risk management
The Trustees consider the risks to which the charity is exposed and have taken steps to mitigate those risks. We have worked to minimise costs and currently pay no salaries. The primary objective of Bighearted Scotland is to raise funds for the member charities. If we do not return a profit on fundraising activities then the charities simply receive a smaller disbursal or none at all. At the time of disbursals the trustees are mindful to keep a reasonable sum of income as reserves to meet possible liabilities.
Governing document
Bighearted Scotland is a company, limited by guarantee, and has obtained permission from the Registrar of Companies to omit the word “limited” from the company name. The company was incorporated on 16 December 2010. Bighearted Scotland has been granted charitable status by H. M. Revenue & Customs and is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association.
Organisation
A Board of Trustees is solely responsible for the strategic and operational management of the charity. The minimum number of trustees is five and there is no maximum. Each of the member charities nominate a representative from their organisation to stand as a Trustee who has skills, knowledge and experience in the current and future activities of the Charity. In addition to member charity representatives and in accordance with the Independent Trustee Appointment Policy, three further independent trustees can be nominated and elected by the board.
Appointment, induction and training of trustees
The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association. Each member is entitled to nominate a Trustee, being an employee or officer of the nominating member. Induction packs are given to the Trustees when appointed and training is provided as and when appropriate.
The Trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
I report on the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024, which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, Balance Sheet and related notes.
The charity's Trustees, who are also the directors of Bighearted Scotland for the purposes of company law, Endif Endif} are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investments (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. The Trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1)(a) to (c) of the 2006 Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the financial statements as required under section 44(1)(c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the financial statements presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements, and seeks explanations from the Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the financial statements.
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 44(1) (a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations; and
to prepare financial statements which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 8 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations;
to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All income and expenditure derives from continuing activities.
Bighearted Scotland is a charitable company limited by guarantee registered in Scotland, registration number SC390449.
The address of the charity’s registered office is Caledonian Exchange, 19A Canning Street, Edinburgh EH3 8HE.
The continuing activity of the charity is the provision of public benefit in Scotland and elsewhere by enabling the member charities to fundraise together under one umbrella title.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended), FRS 102 "the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland " ("FRS 102"), the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to small companies 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)". The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The Board of Trustees have taken advantage of the small charities' exemption which removes the requirement for the disclosure of a cash flow statement.
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. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
The charitable company has reported a deficit for the year but continues to have a positive net current asset position. With the flexibility of the grant giving policy and the relatively strong cash position Trustees are of the opinion that the charity can continue to meet its obligations as they fall due for the foreseeable future. As a consequence the trustees have prepared the accounts on the going concern basis.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
All income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the charitable company is entitled to the income, it is probable that income will be received, and the amount of income can be measured reliably.
The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:
Donations and legacies are included in full in the Statement of Financial Activities when the charitable company is entitled to the income, it is probable that income will be received, and the amount of income can be measured reliably.
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity: this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the Bank.
Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis when a legal or constructive obligation arises.
Costs of raising funds include fees to payroll giving recruitment agencies and other administrative costs.
Charitable expenditure comprises those disbursements made to its beneficiaries.
Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charitable company but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Support costs include professional fees and other governance costs, including those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include the costs linked to the strategic management of the charity.
The charitable company is not registered for VAT and accordingly expenditure includes VAT where appropriate.
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.
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.
The Trustees are of the opinion that there are no significant estimates or judgements that would have a material impact on these financial statements.
Payroll and other agency costs
Professional fees
Bank charges
Annual accounts preparation
None of the Trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits during the year (2023 - £nil).
There were no employees during the current or prior year.
Contributions to charities totalling £12,500 (2023 - £20,000) in order to assist each of the Member Charity Trustees’ own charitable activities were made (see note 6 for further details).