Brake - Charities report

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 03260243 (England and Wales)

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1093244

Trustees' Report and

Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2025

for

Brake

Page

Reference and Administrative Details

1

Trustees' Report

2

to

11

Report of the Independent Auditors

12

to

15

Statement of Financial Activities

16

Balance Sheet

17

Cash Flow Statement

18

Notes to the Cash Flow Statement

19

Notes to the Financial Statements

20

to

30

TRUSTEES

S Christmas

R W Cuerden

D S Sleightholme - Chair

N J Reed (resigned 31/3/2026)

M D Naran (resigned 10/9/2026)

P E Allen (resigned 29/5/2026)

S J Bradbury

M Byard

C L Haines

COMPANY SECRETARY

R W Cuerden

REGISTERED OFFICE

3rd Floor

56 Wellington Street

Leeds

West Yorkshire

LS1 2EE

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER

03260243 (England and Wales)

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER

1093244

AUDITORS

S&W Audit

Statutory Auditor

Chartered Accountants

3rd Floor

56 Wellington Street

Leeds

West Yorkshire

LS1 2EE

CEO

Ross Moorlock

KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL

Lucy Haines - Treasurer

Louise Robbins - Head of Finance &

Resources

Jami Blythe - Head of Service Delivery &

Development

Sophie Dilley - Head of Content

Tanya Taylor - Head of Income Generation

Introduction

The Trustees present their annual report together with the audited financial statements of the company for the year 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.

The Trustees confirm that the Annual Report and financial statements of the company comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the company's governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP), applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic or Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015) as amended by Update Bulletin 1 (effective 1 January 2015).

Since the company qualifies as a small company under section 383, the strategic report required of medium and large companies under the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Director's Report) Regulations 2013 is not required.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives and aims

Brake is a registered charity working to help people bereaved or seriously injured in road crashes through the provision of support services, to relieve their suffering, and to advance public education on road safety and environmentally friendly transport, with the objective of reducing death and injury on roads and limiting harmful pollution.

Our vision is a world with zero road harm, where everyone can move in a safe and healthy way, whoever they are and however they travel.

Until that vision becomes a reality, we are committed to campaigning to stop crashes on our roads and reduce harm when a crash happens and to helping every family affected by road death and injury to get the support they need, for as long as they need it.

We are working to achieve this by delivering across three strategic areas:

- Campaigns: Driving local and national campaigns that call for the implementation of a safe system approach to road safety.

- Education: Delivering education programmes that improve knowledge, develop and enhance skills, and shift public attitudes towards safer roads and active travel.

- Victim Support: Providing a sustainable and accessible national service for road victim support through our National Road Victim Service supporting people affected by road crashes and working alongside professionals such as police officers and healthcare workers who support them.

Public benefit

The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the Charity's aims and objectives and in planning future activities.

The Trustees are satisfied that the charity continues to meet the required public benefit test through its objectives and activities.

Volunteers

Brake greatly benefits from volunteer support through fundraising and local awareness-raising initiatives.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Introduction

Every day, lives are devastated by road crashes. According to the Department for Transport's road casualty statistics for 2025, 1,538 people were killed and a further 28,380 seriously injured on Britain's roads. Almost 30,000 people were killed or seriously injured during the year - the highest number since 2018. These are not simply statistics. They are people, families and communities whose lives have been changed forever.

Against this backdrop, the publication of the Government's new Road Safety Strategy in January 2026 marks an important and welcome milestone. As the first national road safety strategy in well over a decade, it signals renewed ambition and a clear commitment to reducing road death and serious injury. The strategy's casualty reduction targets are bold and ambitious - and rightly so. No death or serious injury on our roads is acceptable. However, strategies alone will not save lives. The opportunity now is to translate ambition into action, ensuring that evidence-based interventions are implemented with real urgency and that reducing road harm becomes a genuine national priority.

Brake continues to play a leading role in driving that change. Through our campaigning, policy and advocacy work, we work to influence decision-makers and champion measures that will prevent deaths and serious injuries. Through our education programmes, including Road Safety Week and our wider community engagement initiatives, we continue to raise awareness, inspire action and encourage safer choices among individuals, organisations and communities across the UK.

While much of our focus is rightly on preventing road crashes from happening in the first place, Brake also remains wholly committed to ensuring that those whose lives are devastated by road death and serious injury receive the specialist support they need. In recent years, we have transformed the road victim support landscape across Great Britain, significantly expanding the reach and availability of specialist support for road victims. Today, Brake's National Road Victim Service includes 35 specialist caseworkers working in communities across England, Wales and Scotland, providing expert emotional and practical support to thousands of people affected by bereavement and serious injury each year. This transformation has been built through sustained effort, determination and innovation, often in challenging circumstances, including a prolonged absence of central government funding for road victim support services in England and Wales. While substantial progress has been made, we know the journey is not complete. Too many road victims still face inconsistency in the support available to them and do not benefit from the same level of provision afforded to many other victim groups. We will continue to champion their needs and work towards a future where everyone affected by a road crash can access consistent, high-quality support, regardless of who they are or where they live.

We remain proud of the progress that has been made, but very clear about the challenges that remain. Too many lives continue to be lost on our roads, too many people suffer life-changing injuries, and too many families continue to face the devastating consequences of road crashes. Brake will continue to campaign for evidence-based measures that prevent death and injury, educate and inspire road users, support victims and their families, and work collaboratively with partners across the road safety and victim support sectors to drive lasting change.

The publication of a new national Road Safety Strategy provides an important opportunity to accelerate progress. The ambition is there, the evidence is clear, and the need for action has never been greater. The challenge now is to turn that ambition into meaningful delivery with real urgency, reducing road harm while ensuring that everyone affected by road death and serious injury can access the specialist support they need. A truly safe system must not stop at prevention - it must also provide effective support for those whose lives have been changed forever by road crashes. Brake remains committed to playing its part in creating a future where everyone can make safe and healthy journeys, and where fewer families experience the devastating consequences of a road crash.

To all our supporters, partners, volunteers and funders, thank you. Your commitment, generosity and belief in our mission makes our work possible. Together, we will continue to strive for a future where no one is killed or seriously injured on our roads, and where every road victim receives the support they need and deserve.

Ross Moorlock

Chief Executive Officer

Some highlights of 2025

Supporting road victims

Brake's National Road Victim Service continued to grow during 2025, providing specialist emotional and practical support to more people affected by road death and serious injury than ever before. During the year, we supported more than 2,000 individuals, including almost 2,000 new referrals, through our team of specialist caseworkers working in communities across England, Wales and Scotland.

Our caseworkers provide trauma-informed support to people whose lives have been devastated by road crashes, helping them navigate the practical and emotional challenges that follow a bereavement or serious injury. We continued to work closely with police forces, Family Liaison Officers, legal professionals and other support organisations to ensure road victims can access specialist help when they need it most.

A significant development during the year was the announcement of a new three-year partnership with Transport for London (TfL) and the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC). This partnership will enable Brake to continue delivering specialist support for people affected by fatal and serious road crashes in London through dedicated locally based caseworkers, building on the success of an earlier pilot programme.

Championing road victims

Throughout 2025, Brake continued to raise awareness of the needs of people affected by road crashes and advocate for improvements in post-crash care.

Our third annual After the Crash Conference brought together more than 200 professionals from policing, emergency services, government, healthcare, legal services and the voluntary sector to share learning and promote excellence in road victim care. The conference reinforced the importance of recognising road victims and ensuring they receive the support they need following a life-changing event.

We also continued to develop our National Centre of Excellence for Post-Crash Support, helping to improve knowledge, standards and professional practice across the post-crash care sector.

Campaigning for safer roads

Throughout 2025, Brake continued to campaign for evidence-based measures to reduce road death and serious injury, working with policymakers, industry leaders, partner organisations and communities to promote a Safe System approach to road safety.

A major focus of our campaigning during the year was vehicle safety technology. We published new research highlighting strong public support for proven life-saving vehicle safety systems and called for the UK to accelerate the adoption of technologies already helping to prevent crashes and reduce injury severity in other countries. Through engagement with parliamentarians, government stakeholders and industry partners, we advocated for measures including Intelligent Speed Assistance, Autonomous Emergency Braking and driver monitoring systems to be required as standard on all new vehicles.

This work culminated in Road Safety Week 2025, which adopted the theme 'Safe Vehicles Save Lives'. Through media activity, stakeholder engagement, educational resources and public awareness campaigning, we helped raise awareness of the important role safer vehicles can play in preventing crashes and protecting all road users.

Brake also continued to campaign for safer journeys for children and young people. Through our Kids Walk campaign, we called for lower speed limits on roads where children travel to and from school and highlighted growing public support for measures that improve the safety of local roads and communities. More than 85,000 children from over 600 schools and youth groups took part, helping to amplify the message that every child has the right to make safe and healthy journeys without fear from traffic.

Alongside these activities, we continued to respond to consultations, contribute expert evidence and work collaboratively with partners across the road safety sector to advocate for long-term, evidence-led solutions that will reduce road death and serious injury.

Road Safety Week 2025

Road Safety Week remains the UK's largest annual road safety campaign and a cornerstone of Brake's education and awareness work.

The 2025 campaign, Safe Vehicles Save Lives, focused on the role that safer vehicles and proven vehicle safety technologies can play in reducing road death and serious injury. Thousands of organisations, schools, emergency services, employers and community groups came together to support the campaign and promote safer roads.

Through media engagement, public affairs activity, educational resources, webinars and stakeholder partnerships, the campaign reached millions of people and helped strengthen understanding of how safer vehicle design and technology can save lives.

Kids Walk 2025

In June, more than 85,000 children from over 600 schools and youth groups took part in Brake's Kids Walk, highlighting children's right to walk and wheel safely in their communities.

The campaign called on Government to introduce lower speed limits on roads where children travel to and from school and drew attention to the daily toll of road danger faced by children across the UK. Through research, advocacy and national media coverage, Kids Walk continued to amplify the voices of children, parents and communities calling for safer roads

Working with employers and the fleet sector

Brake continued to work closely with employers and fleet professionals to reduce road risk associated with work-related driving.

The UK Fleet Champions Awards 2025 brought together more than 270 fleet and road safety professionals to celebrate organisations and individuals demonstrating outstanding commitment to driver safety, fleet safety innovation, sustainable transport and road risk management. The awards continue to showcase best practice across the sector and encourage organisations to place road safety at the heart of their operations.

Through our fleet safety programmes, resources and events, we continued to support organisations in managing road risk and reducing the number of people killed and seriously injured in work-related road crashes.

Celebrating 30 years of impact

In 2025, Brake marked its 30th anniversary, reflecting on three decades of campaigning for safer roads and supporting road victims.

A highlight of the year was our inaugural Rowan Tree Ball, which brought together supporters, partners and friends of Brake to honour road victims, celebrate the charity's achievements and raise vital funds for our work. More than 120 guests attended the event, which raised over £45,000 to support our work supporting people affected by road death and serious injury.

The evening provided a powerful opportunity to remember lives lost and changed by road crashes, recognise the generosity of our supporters and celebrate the difference that can be achieved when people come together behind a shared vision of safer roads and better support for road victims.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Going concern

After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the Accounting Policies.

Funding and financial overview

Brake continues to be funded through a diverse range of income streams, including corporate partnerships, sponsorship, community fundraising and grants, alongside a modest level of trading activity, for example, selling tickets at our annual fleet awards and fundraising ball.

The charity's financial strategy remains focused on maintaining a balanced and sustainable funding model while growing income sufficiently to meet increasing demand for our service and support the continued development of our charitable activities.

Brake has a strong track record of prudent financial management. Through careful stewardship of resources and robust financial controls, the charity ended 2025 operating within its reserves policy, giving us the vital protection we need to operate in these challenging times, but also times of opportunity and importance of our cause.

The Board of Trustees recognises the importance of maintaining reserves at a level that protects the charity against financial uncertainty, while also ensuring that charitable funds are used effectively to maximise impact. Financial performance, expenditure and reserves are therefore monitored closely throughout the year, with regular reviews of income, expenditure, cashflow and restricted funds.

Brake currently focuses the majority of its unrestricted fundraising activity on two principal income streams: corporate fundraising and community fundraising, while continuing to explore opportunities to diversify income and strengthen long-term sustainability.

In 2025, our income streams included unrestricted corporate (£236,372) and community fundraising (£408,402), and grant income, mainly from statutory sources (£1,014,981).

We do not work with any professional fundraisers.

Brake ensures it conforms to all recognised fundraising standards. We are a member of the Fundraising Regulator and the institute of Fundraising in the UK. Brake has a six-point Fundraising Promise that it abides by as follows:

1. We are committed to high standards

2. We are honest and open

3. We are clear

4. We are respectful

5. We are fair and reasonable

6. We are accountable

Our complaints policy is available through our website and on request to members of the public. This policy clearly states the steps we will take, should we receive a complaint about any of our practices. These steps include external investigation should it become necessary. To date, Brake has never received a complaint about its fundraising practices.

We recognise that due to the nature of our work, our fundraisers may come into contact with people who are vulnerable and not able to make informed decisions about their giving. Brake has a vulnerable supporter's policy in place to help our fundraisers identify vulnerable people and to give them guidance on how to manage situations as they arise.

Additionally, we follow all current data protection laws and implement changes to our administration systems as and when legislation changes, to ensure the protection of the public, including vulnerable people, from unreasonable intrusion on a person's privacy, unreasonably persistent approaches or undue pressure to give. We do not buy or sell data, including contact lists, nor do we 'cold call' members of the public to request money. Additionally, Brake abides by strict confidentiality practices in relation to users of our National Road Victim Service.

Reserves policy

It is the desired policy of the board to have unrestricted funds to cover a minimum six months' overheads. Brake met this requirement at the end of 2025.

Our fundraisers, volunteers and supporters

We are immensely grateful to the many individuals who chose to support Brake during 2025. Whether fundraising, volunteering their time or helping to raise awareness of road safety and the needs of road victims, their commitment plays a vital role in enabling our work.

During the year, more than 250 fundraisers took part in challenges, events and community fundraising activities, collectively raising more than £408,000 to support Brake's charitable objectives. We are deeply thankful for their dedication, enthusiasm and generosity. Alongside this, volunteers across the UK helped promote road safety, support our campaigns and strengthen our engagement with local communities.

Corporate partners and supporters

Corporate support remains a cornerstone of Brake's funding model and is critical to the delivery of our charitable activities. In 2025, corporate partnerships, sponsorship and support generated £236,372 of income for the charity.

We are grateful to the many organisations that choose to work with Brake to support road victims and help create safer roads. These partnerships provide far more than financial support. Many of our corporate partners contribute expertise, resources, advocacy and practical assistance, helping us extend our reach and strengthen our impact.

Corporate support enables us to deliver many of our most important activities, including our National Road Victim Service, Road Safety Week, After the Crash Conference, UK Fleet Champions Awards and a range of other campaigns, educational initiatives and engagement programmes. Through these partnerships, we are able to provide specialist support to those affected by road death and serious injury while continuing to champion the changes needed to prevent future tragedies.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all our corporate partners and supporters for their ongoing commitment to our mission. Their support helps ensure that families affected by road crashes receive the help they need and enables Brake to continue working towards a future where no one is killed or seriously injured on our roads.

Grants and statutory funding

Grants and statutory funding continue to play an important role in supporting Brake's charitable activities and helping us reach people affected by road death and serious injury. During 2025, Brake received £1,014,981 in grant and statutory funding.

This funding enabled us to continue delivering and developing our National Road Victim Service, expand support for road victims and families, and invest in wider programmes focused on road safety, education and post-crash care.

We are particularly grateful to the Scottish Government, Transport Scotland, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Transport for London, and the Police and Crime Commissioners who supported our work during the year. Their investment has helped ensure that thousands of people affected by road crashes can access specialist emotional and practical support when they need it most.

While we welcome the support received from statutory partners, securing sustainable funding for road victim support services remains an ongoing challenge. We will continue to work with governments, public bodies and partners across the UK to strengthen provision for road victims and ensure that people affected by road death and serious injury can access consistent, high-quality support regardless of where they live.

We are grateful to all our grant-makers and statutory funders for their confidence in Brake's work and their shared commitment to creating safer roads and better outcomes for road victims and their families.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

Brake is registered as a charitable company. The company type is Private Limited Company by guarantee without share capital use of 'Limited' exemption. The governing document is its Memorandum and Articles of Association as amended on 18 May 2002, 8 December 2008, 13 September 2023, 16 June 2024 and 8 April 2026. The Board of Trustees shall be composed of no fewer than five Trustees, where trustee means a Director of the Charity and 'Trustees' means the Directors.

Method of appointment or election of Trustees

Any person interested in becoming a Trustee of Brake, when there is a vacancy, will have an interview with at least two existing Trustees and the Chief executive officer. This interview will ascertain the proposed Trustee's skills and experience in relation to the needs of Brake and the Board of Trustees. Should the interview be successful, the Trustees and Chief executive officer will then make a recommendation to the Board of Trustees.

Appointment of the new Trustee will be subject to a majority agreement of the existing Board and be dependent solely upon the needs of the Board for supplementary membership notwithstanding the personal attributes of the applicant. The maximum number of Trustees of Brake shall be determined by the charity. Until so fixed, there shall be no maximum number and the minimum number shall be five.

Policies adopted for the induction and training of Trustees

Upon appointment Trustees receive an induction pack. This pack includes the charity's main governance documents and details of Trustees' responsibilities as well as documents relating to Brake's vision, strategy and finances. New Trustees are also invited to attend Brake conferences and events to gain a better understanding of the charity's work and road safety issues in general.

Pay policy for senior staff

The Board of Trustees is required to approve any recruitment, or proposed change in remuneration package that offers a remuneration package above £40,000, and all salaries must be constrained to a degree that they do not exceed our agreed salary brackets for our grades of staff, as outlined in our Staff Handbook.

Administration

2025 marked the second year of Brake's three-year strategy (2024-2026), which sets out our vision, mission, values and strategic priorities. The strategy provides a clear framework for the charity's development, ensuring that we remain focused on delivering meaningful impact for road victims while working towards our vision of a world where everyone can make safe and healthy journeys.

Risk management

Our risk assessment and risk management processes are consistent with good management practice. We benchmark these against industry standards. Risk can be defined as the combination of the probability of an event and its consequences. Risks can be positive and relate to the taking of opportunities and can be negative and relate to undesirable outcomes. Brake is risk averse when it comes to the protection of our reputation and the safety of our people and will take managed risks with respect to investing in our work and in developing the organisation to have greater impact.

The charity's Trustees have given consideration to the major risks to which Brake is exposed and satisfied themselves that systems or procedures are in place to manage those risks. Brake classifies risk within the following categories- operational, financial, governance, people, reputational and legislation. Statutory responsibility for the management and control of Brake rests with the Board of Trustees. The Trustees delegate day-to-day risk management to the Chief executive officer and the senior leadership team and hold them to account for ensuring that the right processes are in place to fulfil their statutory role. Trustees have processes in place to ensure that the senior leadership team has accurately assessed the risks and their consequences, that identified risks are being monitored and managed, that policies and procedures are in place and that the risk register is reviewed regularly.

PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS

Future developments

2026 marks the final year of Brake's current strategic period (2024-2026). While much has been achieved, our focus remains unchanged: preventing road death and serious injury, reducing harm when crashes occur, and ensuring that every road victim can access the support they need.

The publication of a new national Road Safety Strategy creates an important opportunity to accelerate progress. Brake will work constructively with government, parliamentarians, stakeholders and partners to support implementation of the strategy and respond to consultations and policy development arising from it. We will continue to champion evidence-led interventions that have been proven to reduce road death and serious injury and will work to ensure that road safety remains high on the national agenda.

Alongside this, attention will increasingly turn towards the development of Brake's next strategic plan. During 2026, we will begin work to develop our new five-year strategy for 2027-2031, reflecting on the progress made during the current strategic period, engaging with stakeholders and people with lived experience, and identifying the opportunities and challenges that will shape the charity's future. This process will help ensure that Brake remains ambitious, sustainable and focused on delivering the greatest possible impact for road victims and road safety.

Alongside these developments, we will continue to pursue the strategic priorities set out in our 2024-2026 strategy across victim support, campaigning, education and organisational sustainability.

1. Supporting road victims:

Brake will continue to strengthen and develop the National Road Victim Service, ensuring that people affected by road death and serious injury can access high-quality, trauma-informed support wherever they live.

Our 2026 focus will include:

- Expanding service capacity through the introduction of additional specialist caseworker roles in communities across the country supported by new funding opportunities and partnerships.

- Continuing to embed high-quality, trauma-informed practice across all areas of service delivery.

- Exploring and developing additional forms of support that complement our existing casework model and help ensure road victims can access the right support at the right time.

- Continuing to innovate and evolve our services in response to emerging evidence, best practice and feedback from the people we support.

- Completing an independent evaluation of the National Road Victim Service.

- Expanding collaboration with police forces, statutory organisations and partner agencies to improve referral pathways and access to support.

- Ensuring lived experience continues to inform service development and delivery.

- Strengthening the role of our National Centre of Excellence for Post-Crash Support in improving professional practice and promoting excellence in post-crash care.

2. Championing the rights of road victims

Building on the launch of Brake's Road Victims' Charter, we will continue to advocate for the rights, recognition and support that road victims deserve.

This work will include engagement with government consultations, including proposals relating to the Victims' Code, to ensure that the experiences and needs of road victims are properly reflected within wider victim policy and practice.

We will continue to work alongside road victims, policymakers, professionals and partner organisations to promote improvements in post-crash care, access to justice and specialist support.

3. Campaigning for systemic change

Brake will continue to lead and support evidence-based campaigning designed to reduce road death and serious injury and promote a Safe System approach.

Our key campaign priorities remain:

- Default 20mph speed limits on roads in built-up and residential areas.

- Progressive driver licensing measures to better protect young and novice drivers.

- A zero-tolerance approach to drink-driving.

- Mandatory life-saving vehicle safety technologies in all new vehicles sold in the UK.

- Greater employer accountability for managing work-related road risk.

Alongside these priorities, we will engage fully with the implementation of the new national Road Safety Strategy, contributing expertise, evidence and practical recommendations to help ensure ambitious casualty reduction targets are translated into meaningful action.

4. Educating and engaging communities

Education remains fundamental to Brake's vision of a future where everyone can make safe and healthy journeys.

In 2026, we will continue to deliver and develop our established programmes, including:

- Road Safety Week, bringing together communities, employers, schools, emergency services and policymakers to raise awareness and drive action.

- The After the Crash Conference, supporting the sharing of knowledge and best practice across post-crash care.

- The UK Fleet Champions Awards, recognising leadership and innovation in managing work-related road risk.

5. Building a sustainable charity

The long-term sustainability of Brake remains a key priority. As demand for our service continues to grow, maintaining strong financial management and organisational resilience is essential.

During 2026, we will continue to exercise prudent financial stewardship, carefully balancing investment in growth and service development with the need to maintain appropriate reserves, financial stability and organisational resilience.

We will seek to further diversify and strengthen our income base through the continued growth of corporate partnerships, community fundraising, grants and trusts, while also expanding Brake-led fundraising initiatives and events. Building on recent successes, we will continue to invest in activities that strengthen engagement with supporters, increase public participation and generate sustainable income to support our charitable objectives.

Through careful planning, effective governance and a continued focus on impact, we will ensure that Brake remains well placed to deliver its mission and respond to future opportunities and challenges.

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES

The Trustees (who are also the directors of Brake for the purposes of company law and also form the members of Brake as well) 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). The Trustees, directors and members of Brake are now all the same people.

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 charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to

- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

- observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP;

- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business.

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

In so far as the Trustees are aware:

- there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company's auditors are unaware; and

- the Trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditors are aware of that information.

AUDITORS

The auditors, S&W Audit (a trading name of S&W Partners Audit Limited), will be proposed for re-appointment at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting in accordance with section 485 of the Companies Act 2006.

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 24 September 2026 and signed on its behalf by:

D S Sleightholme - Trustee

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Brake (the 'charitable company') for the year ended 31 December 2025 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Cash Flow Statement and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

-	give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 31 December 2025 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended;

-	have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and

-	have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC's Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the Trustees' Report and Financial Statements, other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the Trustees' Report and Financial Statements. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extend otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

-	the information given in the Trustees' Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

-	the Trustees' Report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Trustees' Report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

-	adequate accounting records have not been kept or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or

-	the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

-	certain disclosures of trustees' remuneration specified by law are not made; or

-	we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or

-	the trustees were not entitled to take advantage of the small companies exemption from the requirement to prepare a Strategic Report or in preparing the trustees' Report.

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue a Report of the Independent Auditors that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud.

We obtained a general understanding of the Charity's legal and regulatory framework through enquiry of management concerning their understanding of relevant laws and regulations, the entity's policies and procedures regarding compliance, and how they identify, evaluate and account for litigation claims. We also drew on our existing understanding of the Charity's industry and regulation.

We understand that the Charity complies with the framework through:

- Outsourcing accounts preparation and tax compliance to external experts

- Subscribing to relevant updates from external experts, and making changes to internal procedures and controls as necessary

- CEO and Key Management Personnel's close involvement in the day-to-day running of the Charity, and regular Trustee meetings, meaning that any litigation or claims would come to their attention directly.

In the context of the audit, we considered those laws and regulations which determine the form and content of the financial statements, which are central to the Charity's ability to conduct its business, and/ or where there is a risk that failure to comply could result in material penalties. We identified the following laws and regulations as being of significance in the context of the Charity:

- The Companies Act 2006 and Charity SORP (FRS 102) in respect of the preparation and presentation of the financial statements

- The Charities Act 2011 and the Charity Commission.

We performed the following specific procedures to gain evidence about compliance with the significant laws and regulations identified above:

- Made enquiries of management regarding compliance with laws and regulations and any known non-compliance in the year

- Reviewed legal expense accounts

- Obtaining written management representations regarding the adequacy of procedures in place.

The senior statutory auditor led a discussion with senior members of the engagement team regarding the susceptibility of the entity's financial statements to material misstatement, including how fraud might occur. The areas identified in this discussion were:

- Manipulation of the financial statements via fraudulent journal entries, particularly as the size of the Charity means that there is little opportunity for segregation of duties

- Incorrect recognition of road safety and victim support activities income in relation to cut-off.

The procedures we carried out to gain evidence in the above areas included:

- Testing of manual journal entries, selected based on specific risk assessments applied based on the client processes and controls surrounding manual journals; and

- Testing a sample of revenue transactions to underlying documentation, including ensuring revenue is recognised in the correct period and assessing judgements made by the Trustees in determining whether funding arrangements are grants or contracts, to ensure the amount of deferred income recognised at the reporting date is appropriate and in line with Charities SORP.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Report of the Independent Auditors.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditors' report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Craig Henderson (Senior Statutory Auditor)

for and on behalf of S&W Audit

Statutory Auditor

Chartered Accountants

3rd Floor

56 Wellington Street

Leeds

West Yorkshire

LS1 2EE

25 September 2026

2025

2024

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

fund

funds

Notes

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Charitable activities

6

Road safety activities

35,429

383,675

419,104

229,694

Victim support activities

119,313

1,780,549

1,899,862

1,431,138

Donations and legacies

4

644,774

-

644,774

615,996

Investment income

5

12,474

-

12,474

18,078

Total

811,990

2,164,224

2,976,214

2,294,906

EXPENDITURE ON

Charitable activities

7

Fundraising expenses

484,211

-

484,211

425,652

Road safety activities

104,336

383,675

488,011

478,642

Victim support activities

203,080

1,786,549

1,989,629

1,723,711

Total

791,627

2,170,224

2,961,851

2,628,005

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

20,363

(6,000

)

14,363

(333,099

)

Transfers between funds

18

(6,000

)

6,000

-

Net movement in funds

14,363

-

14,363

(333,099

)

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

696,129

-

696,129

1,029,228

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

710,492

-

710,492

696,129

2025

2024

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

fund

funds

Notes

£

FIXED ASSETS

Tangible assets

14

11,132

-

11,132

10,919

CURRENT ASSETS

Debtors

15

247,992

-

247,992

329,686

Cash at bank and in hand

854,615

-

854,615

701,357

1,102,607

-

1,102,607

1,031,043

CREDITORS

Amounts falling due within one year

16

(403,247

)

-

(403,247

)

(345,833

)

NET CURRENT ASSETS

699,360

-

699,360

685,210

TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT
LIABILITIES

710,492

-

710,492

696,129

NET ASSETS

710,492

-

710,492

696,129

FUNDS

18

Unrestricted funds

710,492

696,129

TOTAL FUNDS

710,492

696,129

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 24 September 2026 and were signed on its behalf by:

D S Sleightholme - Trustee

C L Haines - Trustee

Cash flows from operating activities

Cash generated from operations

1

154,179

(311,196

)

Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities

154,179

(311,196

)

Cash flows from investing activities

Purchase of tangible fixed assets

(13,395

)

(3,261

)

Interest received

12,474

18,078

Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities

(921

)

14,817

Change in cash and cash equivalents in
the reporting period

153,258

(296,379

)

Cash and cash equivalents at the
beginning of the reporting period

701,357

997,736

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of
the reporting period

854,615

701,357

1.	RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) TO NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

2025

2024

£

Net income/(expenditure) for the reporting period (as per the
Statement of Financial Activities)

14,363

(333,099

)

Adjustments for:

Depreciation charges

13,182

14,702

Interest received

(12,474

)

(18,078

)

Decrease in debtors

81,694

16,228

Increase in creditors

57,414

9,051

Net cash provided by/(used in) operations

154,179

(311,196

)

2.	ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET FUNDS

At 1/1/25

Cash flow

At 31/12/25

£

Net cash

Cash at bank and in hand

701,357

153,258

854,615

701,357

153,258

854,615

Total

701,357

153,258

854,615

1.	GENERAL INFORMATION

Brake is a charity, limited by guarantee, incorporated in England and Wales registered at 3rd Floor, 56 Wellington Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 2EE under company registered number 03260243 and charity registered number 1093244.

2.	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.

Company status

The company is a company limited by guarantee. Each of the members of the charity have each undertaken to contribute a maximum of £10 to the assets of the company in the event of the same being wound up while he or she is a member or within twelve months of them ceasing to be a member.

Going concern

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. The Trustees have reviewed and considered relevant information, including the annual budget, in making their assessment. Based on these assessments and the current resources available, the Trustees have concluded that no material uncertainties exist and that they can continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the annual report and accounts.

Income

All income is recognised once the company has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.

For legacies, entitlement is taken as the earlier of the date on which either: the company is aware that probate has been granted, the estate has been finalized and notification has been made by the executor(s) to the Trust that a distribution will be made, or when a distribution is received from the estate. Receipt of a legacy, in whole or in part, is only considered probable when the amount can be measured reliably and the company has been notified of the executor's intention to make a distribution. Where legacies have been notified to the company, or the company is aware of the granting of probate, and the criteria for income recognition have not been met, then the legacy is treated as a contingent asset and disclosed if material.

Expenditure

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 allocated on the portion of the asset's use.

Fundraising costs are those incurred in seeking voluntary contributions and do not include the costs of disseminating information in support of the charitable activities. Support costs are those costs incurred directly in support of expenditure on the objects of the company and include project management carried out at Headquarters.

Costs of generating funds are costs incurred in attracting voluntary income, and those incurred in trading activities that raise funds.

Charitable activities and Governance costs are costs incurred on the company's operations, including support costs and costs relating to the governance of the company apportioned to charitable activities.

Tangible fixed assets

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

Office equipment

-

10-20% straight line

Computer equipment

-

33% Straight Line

A review for impairment of a fixed asset is carried out if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of any fixed asset may not be recoverable. Shortfalls between the carrying value of fixed assets and their recoverable amounts are recognised as impairments. Impairment losses are recognised in the Statement of financial activities incorporating income and expenditure account.

Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the company and which have not been designated for other purposes.

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the company for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Operating leases

Rentals under operating leases are charged to the Statement of financial activities incorporating income and expenditure account on a straight line basis over the lease term.

Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits

The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charitable company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.

Interest receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the company; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the Bank.

Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

Cash at Bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

Government grants

Government grants relating to tangible fixed assets are treated as deferred income and released to the Statement of financial activities incorporating income and expenditure account over the expected useful lives of the assets concerned. Other grants are credited to the Statement of financial activities incorporating income and expenditure account as the related expenditure is incurred.

Liabilities and provisions

Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably. Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the company anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide. Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised within interest payable and similar charges.

Financial instruments

The company only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Concessionary loans

Concessionary loans made to other public benefit entities are measured at cost less impairment.

3.	CRITICAL ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS AND KEY SOURCES OF ESTIMATION UNCERTAINTY

Preparation of the financial statements required management to make significant judgments and estimates. The items in the financial statements where these key judgements and estimates have been made include apportionment of support costs and deferred income.

The Trustees have applied judgement in determining whether funding arrangements are grants within the scope of the Charities SORP or contracts for the provision of goods or services. This judgement affects the timing of income recognition and the amount of deferred income recognised at the reporting date. The assessment is based on the substance of each arrangement, including the existence of enforceable performance obligations, conditions attached to funding and the reciprocal nature of the arrangement. Different conclusions regarding the nature of the funding arrangements or the satisfaction of related obligations could result in a different timing of income recognition.

4.	DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

2025

2024

£

Community donations

408,402

406,654

Corporate donations

236,372

209,342

644,774

615,996

5.	INVESTMENT INCOME

2025

2024

£

Deposit account interest

12,474

18,078

6.	INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

2025

2024

Road

Victim

safety

support

Total

activities

£

Road safety activities

419,104

-

419,104

229,694

Victim support activities

-

1,899,862

1,431,138

419,104

1,899,862

2,318,966

1,660,832

During the year income totalling £1,014,981 (2024: £804,478) was received in the form of grants by the government and government associated bodies.

Government Grants

Purpose

Transport for London