Annual Report
The Trustees submit their annual report and the financial statements of SADS UK, the Ashley Jolly SAD Trust, for the year ended 31st December 2025. The Trustees confirm that the annual report and financial statement of the charity comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the charity’s governing document and statement of recommended practice (SORP) accounting and reporting by charities issued in 2005 and under section 162 of the 2011 Charities Act.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the charity's Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006 and the Statement of Recommended Practice, "Accounting and Reporting by Charities", issued in March 2005.
Status
The Charitable organisation was registered in March 2000. On the 19th January 2006 the Registrar of Companies for England and Wales certified that SADS UK was incorporated under the Companies Act 1985 as a private company and that the company was limited. The company was Registered in England and Wales No. 5679989. Registered Office: Suite 1a, Churchill House, Horndon Park, West Horndon, Essex CM13 3XD. It retained charitable status and the Charities Commission granted a new registered charity no. 1113681.
SADS UK is a cardiac charity working to prevent Sudden Arrhythmic Death due to abnormalities of the heart, which may affect a person at any age, even children. Conditions covered are those such as, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, Long QT Syndrome, Short QT, Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome, Brugada Syndrome, Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia, Cardiomyopathy and Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia/Cardiomyopathy. The charity provides support for people living with the conditions and those who have suffered sudden cardiac arrest.
The Charity’s Mission Statement is:
To save lives and support individuals and families who are predisposed to sudden death due to heart rhythm abnormalities (cardiac arrhythmia).
General Practitioners, primary care personnel and the general public all understand symptoms (and possible genetic implications) of cardiac abnormalities enabling them to gain early diagnosis and treatment. Defibrillators will be widely placed in the community and all schools and youth establishments will have defibrillators on site and be trained to use them in the case of a cardiac arrest emergency.
Objects registered with Charities Commission
To relieve the distress of persons who have suffered from sudden bereavement or who are aware that they or a family member are susceptible to potentially sudden death through certain medical conditions, particularly, but not exclusively, by the provision of support and information and the provision of funds to supply appropriate preventative equipment (not normally met from statutory funds) to assist in diminishing the risk of sudden death. The objects comply with the duty in section 17(5) of the 2011 Charities Act to have due regard to guidance published by the Charity Commission with respect to public benefit.
The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
The charity has four main objectives:
To provide support to families who have suffered a sudden and unexpected cardiac death within their family and to individuals and families who are living with conditions that cause abnormality of the heart rhythm; some of whom have suffered sudden cardiac arrest; providing support to people who have witnessed sudden cardiac arrest and also those who have taken lifesaving action.
To raise awareness and educate the general public and healthcare professionals regarding cardiac conditions affecting the heart, in order that those at risk of Sudden Arrhythmic Death (SAD) may be referred for specialist cardiac treatment.
To keep up to date with medical technology and new research advances, supporting research and providing equipment to organisations and health care professionals to assist with the prevention of Sudden Arrhythmic Death.
To guide government legislation and policy to safeguard people who may be at risk from Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome if not treated and provide emotional support to those affected. To assist with their objectives SADS UK works with other organisations.
SADS UK continued to place defibrillators in schools, leisure centres and workplaces and install defibrillators housed in cabinets outside establishments so that the defibrillator is available to be used by the community in a cardiac arrest emergency whether this happens during the day or at night.
Working with the British Heart Foundation (BHF) SADS UK ensures that defibrillators donated or organised by the charity had Guardians to take care of the defibrillators and were all placed on a national database of defibrillators run by the BHF, The Circuit.
SADS UK continued to meet with organisations to ensure that the charity was listed online and in publications advising the public that they provide support after sudden death, a sudden cardiac arrest and for people who had witnessed or taken part in a resuscitation. The number of people benefitting from support and counselling from the charity has increased three fold.
SADS UK kept its supporters up to date with developments in cardiac care and activities of the charity, seeking opinions and sharing articles through facebook, the website and the charity bulk email provider Mailchimp.
Counselling
Support and counselling increased significantly over the period. This included hours spent on the phone and visiting people impacted, as well as assessing and covering the cost of external professional counsellors as needed.
Lifesaving training
SADS UK staff provided regular CPR and defibrillator sessions in libraries. The charity organised training sessions for people who purchased a defibrillator through the charity.
Highlights
The SADS UK ‘Stride to STOP SADS’ was a very successful event, with over 50 supporters taking part. The intention of the Stride to STOP SADS walk helps highlight the charity’s aims and objectives and raises awareness and funds to help the charity achieve their goals to prevent sudden death.
Instagram followers increased three fold.
Fundraising
Fundraising for the charity excelled with smaller events such as coffee mornings to groups of people holding several events and raising significant amounts in memory of loved ones. The charity was pleased to have significant funds from corporate organisations as well.
Research and Funding
The charity funded a project investigating a novel sodium channel variant (missense mutation) that may be linked to short QT syndrome.
SADS UK funded a nurse working at the Inherited Cardiac Conditions Clinic at the Essex Cardiothoracic Centre in Basildon
Total income for the year amounted to £384,737 (2024: £374,536).
The net deficit for the year was £54,221 (2024: £91,405 surplus). The surplus has reduced due to increased staff costs and an increase in counselling costs along with overhead and operational increases.
During the year £351,341 was expended on charitable activities (2024: £224,679).
This surplus will be used to finance research, counselling and defibrillators.
It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained. The trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant 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.
It is the policy of the charity that reserves should be maintained at a level which is sufficient to cover not less than one year’s expenditure.
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 were:
Trustees are recruited by a range of formal and informal networks. Trustees are formally confirmed in their role once they have been elected at the Annual General Meeting.
All new trustees are appointed by the existing committee members after consultation and deliberation. New trustees undergo an induction session. During the session existing trustees brief them on responsibilities of Trustees and aims and objectives of the charity. The trustee board asks new trustees to sign a declaration to confirm that they are not disqualified from acting as a charity trustee.
None of the trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.
Memberships to other organizations
Genetic Alliance UK
Global Heart Hub
Medical Technology Group
Council for Voluntary Services
British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (Accredited Counsellor)
Dr Hilary Jones MBE, Health Editor, Good Morning Britain
Dr Amir Khan, Good Morning Britain
Dr Greg Mellor, Consultant Cardiologist
Professor A. John Camm, FRCP, Professor of Clinical Cardiology
Sharna and Silvar Laidlaw
Dr Greg Mellor, Consultant Cardiologist and cardiac electrophysiologist.
Professor A John Camm, FRCP
Dr Pier Lambiase, Clinical Consultant Cardiologist
Professor Nigel Wheeldon, Consultant Cardiologist
Dr Dhavendra Kumar, Consultant Clinical Geneticist
Professor Clifford Garratt, Consultant Cardiologist
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
The trustees, who are also the directors of SADS UK 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;
- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; 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. 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 to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of SADS UK (the charity) for the year ended 31 December 2025.
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.
Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000, the independent examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountant in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.
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 that in any material respect:
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 386 of the Companies Act 2006.
the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 other than any requirement that the financial statements give a true and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
Investments
Raising funds
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
SADS UK is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Suite 1A Churchill House, Horndon Industrial Park, West Horndon, Essex, CM13 3XD.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's Memorandum of Association, the Companies Act 2006 and “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016). 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 financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
The charity has received income during the year from the sale of medical equipment.
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.
Expenditure and liabilities
Liability recognition
Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources.
Capitalisation policy
It is the charity's policy to write off items of capital expenditure below £500 to the income and expenditure account.
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. Cost comprises direct materials and, where applicable, direct labour costs and those overheads that have been incurred in bringing the stocks to their present location and condition. Items held for distribution at no or nominal consideration are measured the lower of replacement cost and cost.
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.
The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
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.
Purchase of medical equipment
Research donations
Conference expenditure
Counselling
Promotional expenditure
Rent and rates
Computer expenditure
Other fundraising expenditure
Subscriptions
Bank charges
Printing, postage and stationery
Motor expenses and travelling
Insurance
Telephone
Sundry expenses
Governance costs includes payments of £6,700 (2024- £6,500) for independent examination fees.
During the year the following trustees received monies with respect to reimbursement of travelling / mileage expenses:-
J Jolly £690 (2024 : £210).
A Jolly £325 (2024: £nil).
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
During the year none of the employees have received £60,000 or more.
During the year £52,644 (2024: £46,200) was paid to Ann Jolly, the spouse of John Jolly who is trustee and chairman of the charity for managerial work performed.
In addition to this the charity contributed employer defined contributions of £1,290 (2024: £1,199) to Ann Jolly's pension scheme.
During the year SADS UK was trading in cabinets for defibrillators with any income re invested into the charity.
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 unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
The operating leases represent leases £10,285 to a third party for rent of offices
At the reporting end date the charity had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:
The operating leases represent leases of £10,285 to third parties. The leases are negotiated over terms of 5 years and rentals are fixed for three years.
There were no related party transactions during the accounting period.
The charity had no material debt during the year.