As indicated in the Chair’s foreword, the core objectives for 25/26 were to re-launch the charity as a grant making body, develop and deliver initial grant funded programmes and to start the process of developing long-term sustainable income sources. At the time of writing, the Trust has engaged fundraising consultants to work with us to develop a pragmatic and deliverable fundraising strategy. This will build on the generous donations received in the past which have provided a foundation for our future growth and development.
Future plans
The Trust is in the process of recruiting a full-time Chair and expects that an appointment will be made in October or November 2026. The Trustees will seek to implement the first stages of the agreed fundraising strategy so that the Trust has the resources to continue to deliver and develop its important work. The Trust will base its work on the key principles of inclusion, participation and sustainability, supporting Swim Bike Run activity in some of the most underserved communities and under-represented groups in England, Scotland and Wales.
Statement of trustees' responsibilities
The trustees (who are also directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees' report and 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 charitable company and of the income and expenditure of the charitable company for that period.
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 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);
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable United Kingdom Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any materialdepartures 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 charitable companywill 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 charitable company 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 charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Each of the trustees confirms that:
- so far as the trustee is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Charity's auditors are unaware; and
- the trustee has taken all the steps that he or she ought to have taken as a trustee in order to make themselves aware of any relevant accounts information and to establish that the Charity's independant examiners are aware of that information. This confirmation is given and should be interpreted in accordance with the provisions of s418 of the Companies Act.