REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 06797855 (England and Wales)

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1133827

Report of the Trustees and

Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 January 2025

for

Alexandra Bastedo (Champions) Animal

Sanctuary Limited

Page

Reference and Administrative Details

1

Report of the Trustees

2

to

4

Independent Examiner's Report

5

Statement of Financial Activities

6

Balance Sheet

7

to

8

Notes to the Financial Statements

9

to

15

TRUSTEES

Ms C J Tofield-Cook

Ms M J Southwell (resigned 19.9.2024)

Ms G Page

S Smoker

S Booth

Ms G Harris (appointed 26.7.2024)

REGISTERED OFFICE

Farthings

Southlands Lane

West Chiltington

West Sussex

RH20 2JU

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER

06797855 (England and Wales)

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER

1133827

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER

Maximus Accountancy Services Limited

47 Kensington Road

Chichester

West Sussex

PO19 7XS

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 ended 31 January 2025. 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 2019).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives and aims

The objects for which the charity was established are:-

1 To promote humane behaviour towards animals by providing appropriate care, protection, treatment and security for animals which are in need of care and attention by reason of sickness, maltreatment, poor circumstances or ill usage, and to educate the public in matters pertaining to animal welfare in general and the prevention of cruelty and suffering among animals.

2 To provide therapeutic experiences for members of the public suffering from stress, bereavement, depression and other mental stress, through contact with and caring for animals.

Public benefit

The trustees have paid due regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Charitable activities

The sanctuary continues to perform and promote the core values in the way as intended and hoped by its founder, Alexandra Bastedo.

We have numerous equines of varying size. In the summer of 2024, we took in a polo pony who was no longer able to be ridden. As at the end of January 2025 we averaged 23 equines. Also, approximately 32 cats, four pigs, three goats, three sheep (we took in two ewes in the Spring of 24 but sadly lost our ram in the summer of 2024) and a variety of chickens and ducks, all living calmly and happily in ten acres of beautiful grounds.

During 2024/25 the intake of cats remained high, although rehoming picked up well and a substantial number of cats were rehomed.

During 2024/25, visits by after school clubs were not as high as in previous years. However, we still had a few educational visits from Beavers and Cubs.

We continue to be aware that a significant number of people suffer from depression, anxiety, bereavement and other forms of mental stress - the problems of which can often be alleviated by contact with, or caring for, animals. We aim to help if we can in these situations. Also as with our volunteers, working with animals and out in the fresh air helps to calm the mind and bring relaxation to individuals.

We are pleased to continue to assist the local community by taking students from various educational colleges and schools for work experience and Bronze, Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

General projects along with day-to-day maintenance continue to be challenging with the expense of materials playing a major part.

Fundraising as always continues to be a constant challenge and requires a lot of hard work and dedication. We were very pleased with the success of the open weekend again this year which was better than the previous year. We also held another online Christmas raffle which was very successful. We continue to fundraise and raise the profile of the charity by visiting local fetes and fairs along with one of our Shetland ponies.

The charity is currently going through an extremely difficult time with regard to the financial aspects, with the rising costs of feed, vets bills, maintenance etc along with the decrease in donations and other income.

We have changed our vets for the cats with a view to reducing the bills for their treatment. An overall project across all aspects of the charity to review costs in an attempt to lower expenditure has been beneficial in a lot of areas, and this continues on an on-going basis.

Sponsorships have continued to steadily rise during this period. The sponsorship package has been improved which may have gone some way towards increasing take up. We have also launched the Ambassador scheme which is an enhanced version of the general sponsorships.

The initiative for approaching local companies for business linked sponsorships has been a success and we have taken on board a couple of companies. We continue to explore this avenue.

As always, the Trustees' continued thanks go to the 85 plus unpaid volunteers who give their time covering every day of the year and without whom the sanctuary would not be able to operate.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financial position

Overall the charity made a deficit of £41,295 compared with a deficit of £81,199 in the prior year..

At the end of the financial year the retained reserves of the charity were £863,610 (2024: £904,905), of which £734,755 (2024: £745,618) was represented by the freehold property and other tangible fixed assets, and none were restricted. Given the level of free reserves the trustees recognise that our efforts to contain costs and boost fundraising must continue in order to ensure the long term future of the sanctuary.

We shall continue to take in as many animals as we possibly can but we remain aware of both the financial constraints and land availability.

Reserves policy

The trustees are aiming to maintain a position where reserves equivalent to three years of expenditure will be held. This is considered necessary due to the longevity of the animals in the care of the charity and the difficulty in finding homes for some of them. In order to achieve this in the longer term it is the intention of the trustees to ensure that fundraising activities are maintained at a level where the income received more than covers the day to day running costs.

As at 31 January 2025 the charity held free reserves of £128,855 which is equivalent to just over 12 months of expenditure at normal levels.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

Alexandra Bastedo (Champions) Animal Sanctuary Limited is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 21 January 2009 and registered as a charity on 27 January 2010. 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. None of the trustees has any beneficial interest in the charity. In the event of the charity being wound up the members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1.

The day to day management of the affairs of the charity is undertaken by the trustees.

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees

Trustees are recruited on the basis of their commitment to the objectives of the charity and the skills that they are able to contribute. Given the nature of the charity's activities no formal induction or training is considered to be required. The trustees are aware of their responsibilities and take advice from the Charity Commission and professional advisers as the need arises.

This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 31 October 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

S Smoker - Trustee

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Alexandra Bastedo (Champions) Animal Sanctuary Limited ('the Company')

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 January 2025.

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

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.

Hilary Julian FCA DChA

Maximus Accountancy Services Limited

47 Kensington Road

Chichester

West Sussex

PO19 7XS

31 October 2025

2025

2024

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

Total

fund

funds

funds

funds

Notes

£

£

£

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and legacies

2

51,559

2,049

53,608

43,566

Other trading activities

3

14,172

-

14,172

14,226

Investment income

4

14,410

-

14,410

14,530

Total

80,141

2,049

82,190

72,322

EXPENDITURE ON

Raising funds

2,003

-

2,003

5,558

Charitable activities

5

Animal sanctuary

121,482

-

121,482

147,963

Total

123,485

-

123,485

153,521

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

(43,344

)

2,049

(41,295

)

(81,199

)

Transfers between funds

16

2,049

(2,049

)

-

-

Net movement in funds

(41,295

)

-

(41,295

)

(81,199

)

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

904,905

-

904,905

986,104

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

863,610

-

863,610

904,905

2025

2024

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

Total

fund

funds

funds

funds

Notes

£

£

£

£

FIXED ASSETS

Tangible assets

11

734,755

-

734,755

745,618

CURRENT ASSETS

Stocks

12

700

-

700

700

Debtors

13

1,843

-

1,843

35

Cash at bank

132,069

-

132,069

172,651

134,612

-

134,612

173,386

CREDITORS

Amounts falling due within one year

14

(5,757

)

-

(5,757

)

(14,099

)

NET CURRENT ASSETS

128,855

-

128,855

159,287

TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES

863,610

-

863,610

904,905

NET ASSETS

863,610

-

863,610

904,905

FUNDS

16

Unrestricted funds

863,610

904,905

TOTAL FUNDS

863,610

904,905

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 January 2025.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 January 2025 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.

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 31 October 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:

S Smoker - Trustee

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.

Fundraising income and donations are included in the year in which they are received.

Donations in the form of gifts in kind are recognised as incoming resources when distributed with an equivalent amount being included as resources expended. Gifts in kind are valued at an estimate of the market value the charity would have to pay for an equivalent item.

Grants are only included in the SOFA when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the resources.

Legacies receivable are included in the accounts when it is probable that they will be received and the amount that will be received can be estimated with reasonable accuracy. Receipt is considered to be probable if probate has been granted and the executors are satisfied that there are sufficient assets in the estate, after settling any liabilities, to pay the legacy.

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.

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Freehold property

-

2% on cost

Improvements to property

-

10% on cost

Plant and machinery

-

10% on cost

Motor vehicles

-

10% on cost

Tangible fixed assets are measured at cost.

Stocks

Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, after making due allowance for obsolete and slow moving items.

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.

Financial instruments

The charity has only basic financial instruments which are accounted for at their settlement value.

2.	DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

2025

2024

£

£

Donations

52,600

36,692

Legacies

1,008

6,874

53,608

43,566

In accordance with the SORP, no provision is made for the value of the contribution made by the volunteers, without whom the sanctuary could not operate.

3.	OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES

2025

2024

£

£

Fundraising events

14,004

13,982

Sales income

168

244

14,172

14,226

4.	INVESTMENT INCOME

2025

2024

£

£

Rents received

13,320

13,320

Royalties income

1,088

1,208

Deposit account interest

2

2

14,410

14,530

5.	CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS

Direct

Support

Costs (see

costs (see

note 6)

note 7)

Totals

£

£

£

Animal sanctuary

111,042

10,440

121,482

6.	DIRECT COSTS OF CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

2025

2024

£

£

Bedding and litter

813

447

Feed

34,336

29,489

Veterinary expenses

26,518

39,921

Farrier

2,250

1,848

Equine livery and training

8,600

8,730

Other animal expenses

2,087

6,952

Sanctuary maintenance

10,003

24,249

Utilities

12,642

9,794

Depreciation

13,793

13,379

111,042

134,809

7.	SUPPORT COSTS

Governance

Management

costs

Totals

£

£

£

Animal sanctuary

9,940

500

10,440

Support costs include £200 payable to the independent examiner (2024: £200) for the independent examination, and £300 for other services (2024: £300).

8.	NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):

2025

2024

£

£

Depreciation - owned assets

13,793

13,379

9.	TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 January 2025 nor for the year ended 31 January 2024.

Trustees' expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 January 2025 nor for the year ended 31 January 2024.

10.	COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

fund

funds

funds

£

£

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and legacies

41,566

2,000

43,566

Other trading activities

14,226

-

14,226

Investment income

14,530

-

14,530

Total

70,322

2,000

72,322

EXPENDITURE ON

Raising funds

5,558

-

5,558

Charitable activities

Animal sanctuary

147,963

-

147,963

Total

153,521

-

153,521

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

(83,199

)

2,000

(81,199

)

Transfers between funds

2,000

(2,000

)

-

Net movement in funds

(81,199

)

-

(81,199

)

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

986,104

-

986,104

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

904,905

-

904,905

11.	TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Improvements

Freehold

to

Plant and

Motor

property

property

machinery

vehicles

Totals

£

£

£

£

£

COST

At 1 February 2024

750,000

90,704

6,507

9,480

856,691

Additions

-

2,930

-

-

2,930

At 31 January 2025

750,000

93,634

6,507

9,480

859,621

DEPRECIATION

At 1 February 2024

36,000

60,421

5,646

9,006

111,073

Charge for year

4,000

8,194

651

948

13,793

At 31 January 2025

40,000

68,615

6,297

9,954

124,866

NET BOOK VALUE

At 31 January 2025

710,000

25,019

210

(474

)

734,755

At 31 January 2024

714,000

30,283

861

474

745,618

Freehold property consists of the land and buildings on which the sanctuary is situated and which was left to the charity by Mrs A Garland. The freehold property has been brought into the accounts at its probate valuation, and includes both land and a house which is let to a third party. The value attributed to the house is the estimated rebuild cost of a similar sized property as at its initial recognition, and this is being depreciated over 50 years. The land element, estimated at £550,000, is not being depreciated.

12.

STOCKS

2025

2024

£

£

Stocks

700

700

13.	DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

2025

2024

£

£

Other debtors

1,843

35

14.	CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

2025

2024

£

£

Other creditors

5,757

14,099

15.	LEASING AGREEMENTS

Minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases fall due as follows:

2025

2024

£

£

Within one year

6,660

13,320

Between one and five years

-

6,660

6,660

19,980

The above payments are due to the charity in respect of the rental of the house on the Sanctuary land.

16.	MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

Net

Transfers

movement

between

At

At 1.2.24

in funds

funds

31.1.25

£

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

904,905

(43,344

)

2,049

863,610

Restricted funds

Maggie Mae's Shelter

-

2,049

(2,049

)

-

TOTAL FUNDS

904,905

(41,295

)

-

863,610

Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

80,141

(123,485

)

(43,344

)

Restricted funds

Maggie Mae's Shelter

2,049

-

2,049

TOTAL FUNDS

82,190

(123,485

)

(41,295

)

Comparatives for movement in funds

Net

Transfers

movement

between

At

At 1.2.23

in funds

funds

31.1.24

£

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

986,104

(83,199

)

2,000

904,905

Restricted funds

Orchard Barn Cattery

-

1,000

(1,000

)

-

Aviary

-

1,000

(1,000

)

-

-

2,000

(2,000

)

-

TOTAL FUNDS

986,104

(81,199

)

-

904,905

Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

70,322

(153,521

)

(83,199

)

Restricted funds

Orchard Barn Cattery

1,000

-

1,000

Aviary

1,000

-

1,000

2,000

-

2,000

TOTAL FUNDS

72,322

(153,521

)

(81,199

)

The Maggie Mae's Shelter fund consisted of donations towards a new field shelter and was spent during the year.

The Orchard Barn Cattery fund consisted of a donation towards the cattery which was spent during the prior year.