The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2026.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006, 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 (FRS102).
Heartstart Ayrshire and Arran was formed in April 1994 and was incorporated limited by guarantee on 10th February 1995. The company is formally recognised by HMRC and OSCR as a Scottish Charity.
The charity is affiliated to Heartstart UK which is an initiative of the British Heart Foundation. It was the first such initiative in Scotland.
The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the OSCR in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
The activities undertaken during the year were in accordance with the charity's charitable objectives.
The charity's principal objective is to organise training of volunteer members of the general public in emergency life support to victims of heart attack whilst awaiting the arrival of professional medical help.
A significant amount of work is undertaken for Heartstart Ayrshire and Arran on an unpaid basis by volunteers. The financial value attached to the unpaid volunteer support has not been quantified and is not reflected in the financial statements. The directors do however wish to thank the volunteers for their services to the charity which are greatly appreciated and acknowledge the significant reduction in running costs achieved by the provision of such support.
During the year the company continued to train volunteer members of the general public in emergency life support to victims of heart attack. Our target with Ayrshire & Arran Health Board Endowment Fund is to achieve 3,200 people trained per annum, we are proud to say we have achieved 3,590 (2025: 2,676) people trained in the year. The total number of people trained to date is 107,324.
The trustees have also been conducting a review of the training equipment held and are looking to update some of the older manikins, eight new manikins have been purchased after the year end in 2026.
The income and expenditure of the charity is reported in the statement of financial activities on page 6 of this report. The statement of financial activities shows a surplus for the year of £3,303 (2025: £3,251). The directors are satisfied with these results and also with the level of unrestricted reserves.
Core funding was agreed with NHS Ayrshire & Arran Charitable Endowment Fund for the three years ending 31st March 2027 at a level of £35,000 per annum. This is vital to enable the organisation to continue its charitable objectives and activities moving forward.
The charity annually utilises accommodation provided free of charge by NHS Ayrshire & Arran. No adjustment has been made in the financial statements to reflect the financial value of the accommodation. The directors greatly appreciate the continued support from NHS Ayrshire & Arran in providing such accommodation.
Total reserves as at 31st March 2026 of £59,988 comprised of restricted reserves of £589 and unrestricted reserves of £59,399 available to be used at the discretion of the trustees on charitable activities in line with charitable objectives.
It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to a minimum of six months' expenditure. The trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant short-term drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity’s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. This level of reserves has been maintained throughout the year.
The charity is able to deliver its current charitable activities as a result of the continued support from NHS Ayrshire & Arran being the principal funders and long term supporters of our work.
The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
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:
Any member can apply to be a director of the organisation. Applications are considered by the board of directors with appointments made at the next committee meeting. Directors are required to retire after three years in office and can offer themselves for re-election by the board of directors at the annual general meeting.
None of the trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. Every member of the company undertakes to contribute to the assets of the company in the event of the same being wound up while he is a member or within one year after he ceased to be a member, for payment of debts and liabilities of the company contracted before he ceases to be a member and of the costs, charges and expenses of winding up for the adjustment of the rights of the contributories amongst themselves, such amounts as may be required not exceeding £1.
All of the directors perform a non-executive role. The directors oversee the day to day management of the charity, which is performed by a dedicated Training Officer and Administrative Co-ordinator.
The board are delighted that Dr Hal Maxwell, one of the Heartstart Ayrshire and Arran founders, continues as Honorary Chairman.
See legal and administrative information page for registration numbers, addresses and details of other relevant organisations and advisers.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to small companies within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.
On behalf of the board of trustees
The trustees, who are also the directors of Heartstart Ayrshire and Arran for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.
In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
I report on the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2026, which are set out on pages 6 to 16.
It is my responsibility to examine the financial statements as required under section 44(1)(c) of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, 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 accounts.
In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention
1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 44(1)(a) of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and Regulation 4 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006, and
to prepare financial statements which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 8 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006
have not been met, or
2. 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 derive from continuing activities.
Heartstart Ayrshire and Arran is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in Scotland. The registered office is Ellersley House, 30 Miller Road, Ayr, Ayrshire, KA7 2AY.
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) 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)” (as issued in October 2019 for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2019). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102
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 accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below:
The charity currently meets its day to day working capital requirements through income from its charitable activities, grant awards and donations.
The financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis on the basis that funding from the principal funder, the NHS Ayrshire & Arran Charitable Endowment Fund will continue for the foreseeable future. The current agreement between both organisations runs until 31st March 2027. The directors therefore consider that the going concern basis is appropriate for the preparation of the financial statements.
The financial statements do not include any adjustments that would be required should principal funding not be renewed.
Unrestricted funds are general funds available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives unless the funds have been designated for other purposes.
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.
Income from cash donations is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities in the year of 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.
Income from legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the charity has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset.
Grants receivable are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities in the year in which they are awarded, providing entitlement, certainty and measurement can be confirmed. Revenue and Capital grants are credited to reserves as appropriate to the nature and conditions attaching to the grant.
Income from investments is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities in the year of receipt.
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.
Resources expended are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) on an accruals basis, inclusive of any VAT which cannot be recovered. Expenditure is recognised where there is a legal or constructive obligation to pay the expenditure.
Support costs are expenditure incurred to enable the charity to fulfil its charitable activities and costs of the charity generally.
Governance costs are expenditure incurred in meeting statutory responsibilities.
All costs have been directly attributed to one of the functional categories of resources expended in the SOFA.
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).
Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell.
Net realisable value is the estimated selling price less all estimated costs of completion and costs to be incurred in marketing, selling and distribution.
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.
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.
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
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.
Accountancy & payroll fees include a payment to the examiners of £1,018 (2025 - £968) for independent examination fees.
None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits other than the disclosed expenses below during the year.
No trustees were reimbursed any expenses (2025 - one trustee reimbursed £589 for travel expenses) incurred whilst carrying out Heartstart duties.
As at 31st March 2026 £nil was owed to trustees (2025 - £310 owed to one trustee).
During the year to 31st March 2026, payroll processing fees of £408 (2025 - £582) inclusive of VAT were charged by William Duncan + Co Ltd (T/A Dains Accountants) and software subscriptions of £185 (2025 - £nil) were charged by Xtra Accounting Limited (T/A Dains Software). Director, Stephen Bargh, is also a Director of William Duncan + Co (T/A Dains Accountants) and Xtra Accounting Limited (T/A Dains Software).
As at 31st March 2026 £168 (2025 - £240) was owed to William Duncan + Co Ltd (T/A Dains Accountants) and £nil was owed to Xtra Accounting Limited (T/A Dains Software).
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund.
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 Big Lottery Awards for All grant is to purchase new training and computer equipment for the enhancement of current charitable activities. The fund balance at 31st March 2026 of £41 is the net book value of training equipment and computer purchased to be expended from the fund over the useful life of the assets.
The McGradey Equipment Fund was a donation received to be used for the purchase of medical equipment. The fund balance at 31st March 2026 of £548 is the net book value of the medical equipment purchased to be expended from the fund over the useful life of the assets.
There were no other disclosable related party transactions during the year (2025 - none), other than those disclosed in note 8.