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2020-12-31-accounts

Charity number: 1003619 Company number: 2626039

THE BLOOD CARE FOUNDATION

TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

THE BLOOD CARE FOUNDATION

(A company limited by guarantee)

CONTENTS

Legal and Administrative information 1
Report of the Trustees 2 - 7
Independent Examiner’s Report 8
Statement of Financial Activities 9
Balance Sheet 10
Notes to the Financial Statements 11 - 16

Detailed income and expenditure account and summaries

THE BLOOD CARE FOUNDATION (A company limited by guarantee)

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

Trustees Mr J. Bruce, Chairman
Mr M.G. Bruce, Chairman Emeritas
Dr J. Barrett
Dr R.M. Dawood
Dr C.P. Lee O.St.J
Mr B.J. Pearson
Col. M.J.G. Thomas
Company registered number 2626039
Charity registered number 1003619
Registered office North House
198 High Street
Tonbridge
Kent
TN9 1BE
Company secretary M.F. Gunton
Chief executive officer J.N. Bruce
Independent examiner A.S. Healey FCA CTA DChA
Lindeyer Francis Ferguson Limited
Chartered Accountants
North House
198 High Street
Tonbridge
Kent
TN9 1BE
Bankers The Royal Bank of Scotland
London Drummonds Branch
49 Charing Cross
London
SW1A 2DX

Page 1

THE BLOOD CARE FOUNDATION

(A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

The Trustees (who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act) present their annual report together with the financial statements of The Blood Care Foundation (the company) for the year ended 31 December 2020.

The Trustees confirm that the report and financial statements of the charity comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the company's governing document, and the provisions of "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019) (Charities SORP (FRS 102)). The Legal and Administrative information on page 1 forms part of this report.

Structure, governance and management

a. Constitution

The company is registered as a charitable company limited by guarantee incorporated on 2 July 1991 and governed by a Memorandum and Articles of Association, as revised on 24 April 2013.

The principal object of the company continued to be the supply and distribution of screened blood, resuscitation fluids and sterile transfusion equipment.

In setting objectives and planning for activities, the Trustees have given due consideration to general guidance published by the Charity Commission relating to public benefit.

b. Method of appointment or election of Trustees

Potential new trustees are usually identified by the directors as being suitable candidates to approach. If that person is prepared to consider such an appointment and they have the required ability and commitment, they are invited to join the Foundation. The new trustee is invited to sign a letter of application, following which they are elected to the board.

Appointments made during the year are ratified at the following AGM. Given the size of the charity, there are no formal policies in place for the induction and training of Trustees. However, each trustee, from their own knowledge and experience, is aware of their responsibilities and is required to keep up to date through technical reading and personal development.

c. Organisational structure and decision making

The Foundation is run by its directors who are also the Trustees of the charity and members of the company. The Trustees bring a broad range of knowledge to the Foundation and, under the chairmanship of Julian Bruce, are responsible for managing the current activities of the Foundation and developing its future plans.

Page 2

THE BLOOD CARE FOUNDATION

(A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

Members' liability

The members of the company guarantee to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 to the assets of the charity in the event of winding up.

Review of activities for the public benefit and future developments

The Trustees recognise and confirm their awareness of the need for the activities of the Foundation to be for the public benefit.

When the Foundation was first established, its aims and objectives were based on the principle that each country should, in an emergency, be responsible for the provision of blood at an acceptable quality, for its own nationals.

From its inception, the Foundation has been making and continues to make part of its practical contributions to this principle through the training of blood banking staff and by providing a consultancy service in Transfusion Medicine to treating doctors.

Each time the BCF Quality Assurance Manager audits one of its own, or another organisation's dedicated blood banks in a developing country, time is taken to train the local blood bankers in the latest techniques of blood banking, to help increase their own knowledge and contribute to the overall development of blood banking standards in that particular country.

As in-depth Transfusion Medicine does not normally form part of the standard medical training in many countries, the Foundation provides a world-wide consultancy support service to treating doctors when they are faced with difficult transfusion decisions.

Chairman’s Report

The Need for Blood and Rabies Immunoglobulin, their Availability and Quality

As the Covid-19 pandemic greatly reduced all forms of international travel in 2020, the protection provided to travellers through membership of the Foundation’s Travel Club for the provision of blood or rabies infection in an emergency was only required in a handful of cases.

Despite travel restrictions, most companies have maintained their expatriate staff in the developing world, many of whom continue to work in very difficult conditions where the level of medical care and support remains rudimentary.

In addition to the health and safety risks from acts of terrorism, violent social unrest and its associated disruption, traffic accidents and food poisoning, expatriates who contract diseases such as hepatitis A or B, HIV, malaria, rabies or typhoid are particularly exposed, especially with the UN emphasising ‘blood is not safe in many parts of the world’.

Page 3

THE BLOOD CARE FOUNDATION

(A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

Blood

Although there has been a fall in blood supplies in 2020, principally due to the restrictions preventing donors from travelling to donor centres, these shortages have been partly offset by a reduction in the number of surgical interventions requiring a blood transfusion during the year.

Despite these difficulties, the first-class blood processing centres from which the Foundation sources blood for its members have continued their support for its life-saving work.

Rabies

The risk of contracting rabies, which inevitably leads to an agonising death, remains high. As rabies immunoglobulin is very scarce, particularly in the developing world, the ability for a member to receive the treatment they need in the shortest possible time from the Foundation’s own stock remains one of the most valuable assets of their Blood Care Programme membership. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Foundation was unable to resupply the stock which expired in 2020; it is anticipated that this will be rectified early in 2021.

Consultancy Services

Medical doctors and their staff located in areas where medical treatment is basic have considerable difficulty in keeping current their knowledge of transfusion medicine. Support for these front-line medical practitioners is very important, which is why they place such importance on being able to consult with the Foundation’s team of specialists when dealing with a particularly difficult case – a service provided them by the Foundation, free of charge.

Alarm Centre

A critical benefit of Blood Care Programme membership is the Alarm Centre maintained by the Foundation on a 24-hour basis, enabling it to provide an immediate response to members requiring a blood transfusion or rabies treatment following an accident or severe illness.

This is particularly important in many developing countries where blood or rabies treatment is either not available or is of an unreliable quality.

Website

The Foundation’s website, which is updated regularly, contains details of its history, a list of its Management Team, together with their qualifications, Trustees and Officers, locations from where its blood is sourced and details of its rabies service, as well as a number of frequently asked questions.

The website also enables individuals to join the BCF Travel Club with ease.

Page 4

THE BLOOD CARE FOUNDATION

(A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

Quality

The key element of the Foundation’s service is the reliability of the quality of blood and rabies treatment it provides for its members, especially in those countries which face considerable difficulties in sourcing, processing, transporting and storing these products at acceptable standards to ensure their safety for human use.

The quality standards of all aspects of the Foundation’s services are under constant review by its:

Finance

Overall, given the negative effects of Covid-19, the Foundation managed to have a reasonable year financially.

The effects of Covid-19 on the travel industry resulted in a reduction in membership renewal fees as well as no income being received from the BCF Travel Club in 2020.

However, variable fees received for Special Projects such as specific blood deliveries to hospitals and UN operations, were maintained at a similar volume to the previous year although the sterling value was reduced due to fluctuations in the exchange rate with the US dollar. Largely offsetting this reduction in mainstream income, the Foundation was grateful to be the beneficiary of two donations amounting to £20,270.

In total, the Foundation received gross income of £287,013 resulting in a net income of £17,875, before the transfer of £17,770 to the ring-fenced Fund for Projects, which is to be used for designated projects decided by the Trustees. At the end of 2020, this Fund stood at £146,58, and the Foundation had net assets of £162,282.

Membership

As virtually all non-essential and holiday travel by individuals ceased in 2020, membership of this section of the Blood Care Programme came to a halt.

However, many companies have maintained membership for their expatriate staff and family members, as the multitude of risks they faced from accidents and illnesses in the developing world remained as high as ever, especially as the blood available for transfusion in these locations became more scarce due to the

Page 5

THE BLOOD CARE FOUNDATION

(A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

drop in local blood donations. The peace of mind provided to their staff in this way also provides the Company with a competitive edge in the marketplace.

Management

The Foundation’s management is very fortunate to have a Board of Trustees comprised of those with long experience in blood transfusion, the treatment of rabies, accountancy and the law, on whom they can call for advice and guidance, in addition to its Advisory Council.

These specialists also play a vital part in the development of BCF through their contributions on subjects such as an anti-snake venom and inviting companies to become corporate members of the Blood Care Programme.

Conclusion

Like many other charities and commercial organisations, the Foundation has experienced a drop in the demand for its services in 2020, resulting in a reduction of income.

Despite this setback, the Trustees are determined to weather this storm as the needs for its life-saving services are as great as ever which is why, since its formation in 1991, the Foundation continues to enjoy the support of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, blood processing centres and other medical establishments around the world to this day.

No Report would be complete without expressing my gratitude to all those who have supported the Foundation in the past and, in particular, to our present Trustees, members of the External Audit Panel, Advisory Council, Officers and staff, for their continued dedication, guidance and support which is so vital to our members.

We all look forward to achieving our aims of providing screened blood or rabies treatment to those facing an emergency for many years to come.

Relationship with other organisations

The Foundation has a relationship with Asclepius (International) Limited. This company, which is beneficially owned by members of the Bruce family, is a UK based organisation active in the fields of expatriate health and general medical services. Asclepius provides the Foundation with the clinical and general management services, quality assurance, legal and administrative services which are vital to the operations of the charity. Although the Foundation can provide these services itself, they have been out-sourced to protect the Foundation, by enabling it to operate with the minimum level of overheads. Asclepius has been instrumental in its formation and has contributed to its development by charging less than the full fees payable by the Foundation (see note 11).

Asclepius arranges the recruitment of administrative staff for the Foundation and pays their fees or salaries. The objective of this arrangement is to protect the Foundation, so that if its income fell for any reason, the Foundation would not be left with an unsustainable overhead to carry.

Page 6

THE BLOOD CARE FOUNDATION

(A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

Trustees' responsibilities statement

The Trustees (who are also directors of The Blood Care Foundation for the purposes 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), including the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they 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 these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charitable company's transactions and 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.

This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to small companies subject to the small companies’ regime in Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006

This report was approved by the Trustees on 13 July 2021 and signed on their behalf by:

Michael G. Bruce, Chairman Emeritus & Trustee

Page 7

THE BLOOD CARE FOUNDATION (A company limited by guarantee)

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the company for the year ended 31 December 2020.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the company (and its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the company’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

Since the Company’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I a member of the ICAEW 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:

In my opinion, in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached, attention should be drawn to the disclosures made in Note 2.1 to the financial statements concerning the accounting treatment of a liability disclosed as a contingent liability.

Amy Healey FCA CTA DChA Dated: 21 July 2021 Lindeyer Francis Ferguson Limited Chartered Accountants North House 198 High Street Tonbridge Kent TN9 1BE

Page 8

THE BLOOD CARE FOUNDATION

(A company limited by guarantee)

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (incorporating income and expenditure account) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

Notes
Income from:
Donations and legacies
Charitable activities
3
Investments
Total income
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
4
Total expenditure
Net income / (expenditure) and net movement in funds
6
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
10		 Unrestricted
funds
2020
£
20,270
266,194
549
287,013
269,138
269,138
17,875
144,407
162,282		 Unrestricted
funds
2019
£
-
288,478
964
289,442
290,515
290,515
( 1,073)
145,480
144,407

Page 9

THE BLOOD CARE FOUNDATION

(A company limited by guarantee)

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2020

Notes
Current assets
Debtors
8
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling due
within one year
9
Net current assets
Net assets
The funds of the charity
Unrestricted funds
10		 £
82,075
158,555
240,630
( 78,348)		 2020
£
162,282
162,282
162,282		 £
92,039
166,981
259,020
( 114,613)		 2019
£
144,407
144,407
144,407

For the financial year ended 31 December 2020 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Directors' responsibilities:

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime.

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 13 July 2021 and signed on their behalf by:

Michael G. Bruce, Chairman Emeritus & Trustee

Company Registration Number: 2626039

Page 10

THE BLOOD CARE FOUNDATION

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

1 Status

The Blood Care Foundation is a private charitable company limited by guarantee incorporated in England & Wales. Its registered address is North House, 198 High Street, Tonbridge, Kent, TN9 1BE.

2 Accounting policies

The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:

2.1 Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with "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) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees have concluded that the financial statements give a true and fair view of the charity’s financial position and financial performance. The charity has complied with FRS 102 except that it has departed from Section 21 ‘Provisions and Contingencies’ to the extent necessary to give a true and fair view. As disclosed in note 11, the charity has accounted for an existing liability totalling £224,499 at the balance sheet date, as a contingent liability even though there is a recent history of partial repayment each year which makes it probable that that some or all of the debt will be repaid. Section 21 of FRS 102 requires recognition of a liability as a provision in the balance sheet where it is probable that the liability will be repaid. However the trustees consider that to include the liability as a provision in the accounts would not present a true and fair view. The charity is only required to repay the liability out of future income in such manner as the trustees consider appropriate, taking into account the charity’s resources. In the event of the charity winding up the liability would be waived. The Trustees therefore consider that disclosing the liability as a contingent liability gives a true and fair view.

The accounts are presented in pounds sterling and rounded to the nearest pound.

The Blood Care Foundation meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.

There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue, and so the going concern basis of accounting has been adopted.

Page 11

THE BLOOD CARE FOUNDATION

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

2 Accounting policies (continued)

2.2 Income

Total income comprises the invoiced value of membership fees, other services supplied to third parties and interest received. Income from membership fees is recognised over the period covered by the membership subscription on a straight-line basis. Income from other services is recognised in the period when the service is performed.

Income from legacies is recognised at the earlier of receipt of the legacy or the date of approval for distribution.

2.3 Expenditure and liabilities

Liabilities, and related expenditure, are recognised when a present legal or constructive obligation exists at the balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation, and the amount can be measured or estimated reliably.

Charitable activities includes expenditure on the supply and distribution of blood and equipment. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them including governance costs incurred in connection with administration of the company and compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements.

2.4 Financial instruments

The charity only has financial instruments 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.

2.5 Foreign currencies

Monetary assets and Iiabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at rates of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date.

Transactions in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rate ruling on the date of the transaction.

Exchange gains and losses are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities.

Page 12

THE BLOOD CARE FOUNDATION

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

3 Income from charitable activities

Membership fees
Special project fees
4
Expenditure on charitable activities
Direct costs
Blood supplies and testing
Transport and shipping
Clinical and quality assurance
Service fees
Support costs
Administration and support fees
Alarm centre
Telephone and fax
Printing and stationery
Postage
Travel and subsistence
Rent and rates
Exchange differences
Other office costs
Legal and professional fees
Marketing and promotion
Governance costs
Independent Examiners' remuneration
Independent Examiners' other services		 2020
£
107,737
158,457
266,194
2020
£
117,809
14,428
44,865
59,095
10,773
2,560
678
409
468
459
4,224
5,103
6,595
356
( 2,500)
2,516
1,300
269,138		 2019
£
122,483
165,995
288,478
2019
£
116,403
12,633
46,581
74,993
12,249
( 2,109)
1,306
-
394
8,484
4,224
3,497
5,962
878
1,708
2,012
1,300
290,515

5 Turnover

74.01% of the charity's income (2019 - 71.01%) is attributable to geographical markets outside the United Kingdom.

Page 13

THE BLOOD CARE FOUNDATION

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

6 Net income/ (expenditure)

Net income/ (expenditure)
This is stated after charging:
Independent Examiners' remuneration
Independent Examiners' other services		 2020
£
2,516
1,300
3,816		 2019
£
2,012
1,300
3,312

7 Trustees' remuneration and expenses

Key management personnel are defined as the Trustees only. During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or benefits in kind for their services as trustees (2019 - £nil). Col. M.J.G. Thomas received fees of £41,296 for clinical and quality assurance services provided in the year (2019: £10,072).

None of the trustees were reimbursed for expenses during the year. In 2019 three trustees were reimbursed £1,116 for business and travel expenses to trustee meetings.

8 Debtors

Fees receivable
Deferred expenditure		 2020
£
77,086
4,989
82,075		 2019
£
77,679
14,360
92,039

Page 14

THE BLOOD CARE FOUNDATION

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

9 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Trade creditors
Accruals and deferred income
Expenses
Fees invoiced in advance included in deferred income
Balance at 1 January 2020
New amounts invoiced
Amounts released to income for services rendered
Balance at 31 December 2020
Movement in funds
Current year
Brought
forward
Unrestricted funds
General fund
15,589
Designated funds:
Fund For Projects
128,818
144,407		 Income
269,243
17,770
287,013		 2020
£
60,573
17,775
-
78,348
£
28,721
9,978
( 28,721)
9,978
( 269,138)
-
( 269,138)
Expenditure		 2019
£
74,471
35,810
4,332
114,613
£
29,891
28,721
( 29,891)
28,721
Carried
forward
15,694
146,588
162,282

10 Movement in funds

The designated fund was created to fund special projects following the receipt of legacy income in prior years. The trustees have decided that the funds should be designated for a marketing programme and for other special, designated projects, bearing the name of the donor where appropriate.

Prior year
Unrestricted funds
General fund
Designated funds:
Fund For Projects		 Brought
forward
14,954
130,526
145,480		 Income
289,442
-
289,442		 Expenditure
( 288,807)
( 1,708)
( 290,515)		 Carried
forward
15,589
128,818
144,407

Page 15

THE BLOOD CARE FOUNDATION

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

11 Contingent assets and liabilities

Contingent liability

A contingent liability exists towards Asclepius (International) Limited, which has charged less than the full fees payable by The Blood Care Foundation for services provided. This contingent liability amounts to £224,499 at 31 December 2020 (2019: £240,449) and is only payable in the future out of surplus income (if any) at such time and in such manner as the Trustees shall consider appropriate.

12 Related party transactions

Asclepius (International) Limited is a supporter of the objectives of the Blood Care Foundation having been responsible for its formation. It is beneficially owned by members of the Chairman's family and provides management, clinical, quality assurance, legal and administrative services to the Foundation.

2020 2019
£ £
Service fees, management and administrative services 69,868 87,242
Clinical and quality assurance costs 41,296 33,170
Office rent 4,224 4,224

At the balance sheet date £34,416 (2019: £39,672) was due to Asclepius (International) Limited and this is included in creditors.

Page 16