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2024-12-31-accounts

Charity number: 1003619 Company number: 2626039

THE BLOOD CARE FOUNDATION

TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

THE BLOOD CARE FOUNDATION

(A company limited by guarantee)

CONTENTS

Legal and Administrative information 1
Report of the Trustees 2 - 6
Independent Examiner’s Report 7
Statement of Financial Activities 8
Balance Sheet 9
Notes to the Financial Statements 10 - 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 2024

Trustees Mr J. Bruce, Chairman
Mr M.G. Bruce, Chairman Emeritas
Dr J. Barrett
Dr R.M. Dawood (resigned 11 November 2024)
Dr C.P. Lee O.St.J
Mr B.J. Pearson
Dr L. Lord MBE (appointed 17 June 2024)
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 J. Mathieson FCA
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 2024

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 2024.

The Trustees confirm that the 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 "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 Trustee’s 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 2024

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 availability of Screened Blood, Rabies Immunoglobulin and their Quality

In a medical emergency due, for example, to being involved in a traffic accident, it is possible the victim will require a blood transfusion.

Unfortunately, in the developing world this is frequently difficult to find, as blood collection systems are often basic and the screening of blood rudimentary, as well as the costs of screening blood being beyond a nation’s budget.

The availability of rabies immunoglobulin is even more difficult to obtain in an emergency; many countries simply cannot afford to hold stocks due to their high cost and relatively short shelf-life.

Blood

It is very important for blood to be properly screened before being transfused to avoid further infections and suffering.

Page 3

THE BLOOD CARE FOUNDATION

(A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

In many developing countries individuals will sell their blood as both its availability and screening is basic; this risks the patient being contaminated with, for example, HIV 1 & 2, Dengue fever, Hepatitis B & C, Syphilis and Malaria, plus other diseases which might be endemic in their country.

To overcome these problems individual members, or those covered by their company’s membership of the Foundation’s Blood Care Programme, are able to receive blood which has been screened to international standards with the minimum of delay, thereby enhancing their recovery and, if working overseas as an expatriate, to return to work as soon as possible.

Rabies

The danger of being infected with rabies, which can occur through being scratched, licked or bitten by an animal carrying the disease is not always appreciated or fully understood; if not properly treated within a short space of time, the patient will almost certainly die.

WHO estimate tens of thousands of people die from rabies every year; rabies is present in some 150 countries with 95% of deaths occurring in Africa and Asia.

Consultancy Services

Blood Care Programme membership offers the treating doctor the opportunity to benefit, free of charge, from a considerable range of specialist advice available in the Foundation; this can be of immense help to doctors working in developing countries who are faced with difficult decisions and of considerable benefit to their patient.

Quality

One of the key advantages of Blood Care membership lies in the quality of the blood provided to its members. The Foundation enjoys the active support and provision of blood screened to the highest international standards, from a number of leading blood banks around the world.

In an emergency the screened blood, when packed by the blood centre, includes a data logger which records the temperature every five minutes until it arrives at its destination. This is to ensure the temperature has remained constantly within the safety range during its journey.

When unpacked at its destination, the recordings from the data logger are e-mailed to the Foundation’s Clinical Director for examination, to ensure the blood is safe to transfuse.

To help maintain the highest standards, the Foundation’s procedures are monitored on a regular basis by an External Audit Panel, by the UK Medicines and Health products Regulation Agency (MHRA) and also, on an annual basis, by the Charity Commission.

Page 4

THE BLOOD CARE FOUNDATION (A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Finance

Despite the latent effects in COVID, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of travellers during 2024, with membership levels of corporate membership remaining firm.

In addition, deliveries of blood to two overseas hospitals and NATO forces in high-risk areas of the world have remained constant.

These aspects have resulted in a recovery in the Foundation’s income.

Although the Trustees decided in 2024 to invest in changes to its website layout and in Social Media, at year-end, the Foundation had a total capital and reserves of £148,188.

Management

The search for a second Deputy Clinical Director continued during the year with signs this will prove successful in 2025.

The Board of Trustees have continued to be very supportive of the Foundation’s work and, together with the Advisory Council and External Audit Panel, have been of immense help with their contributions to the Foundation’s services. To each participant, the Foundation owes a deep debt of gratitude for their voluntary service.

Conclusion

2024 has been a year of change for the Foundation with the appointment of an additional blood banking source, the development of its new website and entry in the world of Social Media.

The Trustees look forward to reaping the benefits of these investments by adding to the number of individual and corporate members in the coming year and thereby being able to increase its life-saving services to many more people located in high-risk areas of the world.

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 outsourced 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).

Page 5

THE BLOOD CARE FOUNDATION

(A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

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.

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 24 June 2025 and signed on their behalf by:

Michael G. Bruce, Chairman Emeritus & Trustee

Page 6

THE BLOOD CARE FOUNDATION (A company limited by guarantee)

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

I report to the charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the company for the year ended 31 December 2024.

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 am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants 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:

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 balance disclosed as a contingent liability.

James Mathieson FCA Dated: 8 July 2025 Lindeyer Francis Ferguson Limited

Chartered Accountants North House 198 High Street Tonbridge Kent TN9 1BE

Page 7

THE BLOOD CARE FOUNDATION

(A company limited by guarantee)

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (incorporating income and expenditure account) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

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
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
10
Unrestricted
funds
2024
£
69
296,516
676
297,261
295,260
295,260
2,001
146,187
148,188
Unrestricted
funds
2023
£
67
195,100
497
195,664
211,313
211,313
( 15,649)
161,836
146,187

Page 8

THE BLOOD CARE FOUNDATION

(A company limited by guarantee)

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024

Notes
Fixed assets
Intangible assets
7
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
£
60,109
157,974
218,083
( 81,581)
2024
£
11,686
11,686
136,502
148,188
148,188
£
54,781
152,092
206,873
( 60,686)
2023
£
-
-
146,187
146,187
146,187

For the financial year ended 31 December 2024 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 24 June 2025 and signed on their behalf by:

Michael G. Bruce, Chairman Emeritus & Trustee

Company Registration Number: 2626039

Page 9

THE BLOOD CARE FOUNDATION

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

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. The charity has accounted for a contingent liability of £205,499 at the balance sheet date, as shown in note 11. Section 21 of FRS 102 requires recognition of a provision in the balance sheet where it is probable that the obligation will be repaid but the timing or amount is uncertain. In recent years there has been a partial repayment of the amount due which makes it probable that some or all of the debt will be repaid. However the trustees consider that to include a provision in the accounts would not present a true and fair view. The charity is only required to repay the balance out of future income taking into account the charity’s resources. In the event of the charity winding up the amount due would be waived. The Trustees therefore consider that disclosure of 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 10

THE BLOOD CARE FOUNDATION

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

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. Interest is recognised in the period to which it relates.

2.3 Expenditure and liabilities

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 Intangible fixed assets and amortisation

The charity's website is accounted for as an intangible fixed asset. It is recognised initially at cost and subsequently as cost less accumulated amortisation and any accumulated impairment losses.

Amortisation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following basis:

Website

Straight line over 3 years

2.6 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 11

THE BLOOD CARE FOUNDATION

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

3 Income from charitable activities

Income from charitable activities
Membership fees
Provision of blood and services to contracted clients
2024
£
72,078
224,438
296,516
2023
£
63,551
131,549
195,100

84.68% of the charity's income (2023 - 79.13%) is attributable to geographical markets outside the United Kingdom.

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
Amortisation
Governance costs
Independent Examiners' remuneration
Independent Examiners' other services
2024
£
138,388
51,047
44,950
34,831
7,208
( 1,957)
1,022
320
482
4,604
4,224
( 1,692)
5,832
598
1,461
2,642
1,300
295,260
2023
£
63,129
43,505
48,918
25,421
6,355
283
845
410
441
-
4,224
7,094
5,777
713
-
2,898
1,300
211,313

Page 12

THE BLOOD CARE FOUNDATION

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

5 Net income / (expenditure)

This is stated after charging:
Independent Examiners' remuneration
Independent Examiners' other services
2024
£
2,642
1,300
3,942
2023
£
2,898
1,300
4,198

6 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 (2023: £nil).

In 2024 two trustees were reimbursed for expenses for £4,172 in relation to the AGM and travel and computer costs (2023: £nil).

7 Intangible fixed assets

Cost
Additions
At 31 December 2024
Amortisation
Charged for the year
At 31 December 2024
Net book Value
At 31 December 2024
At 31 December 2023
Website
£
13,147
13,147
1,461
1,461
11,686
-

Page 13

THE BLOOD CARE FOUNDATION

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

8
Debtors
Fees receivable
Prepayments and accrued income
9
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Trade creditors
Accruals and deferred income
Other Creditors
Fees invoiced in advance included in deferred income
Balance at 1 January 2024
New amounts invoiced
Amounts released to income for services rendered
Balance at 31 December 2024
2024
£
18,842
41,267
60,109
2024
£
68,662
12,697
222
81,581
£
8,806
8,644
( 8,806)
8,644
2023
£
6,849
47,932
54,781
2023
£
44,615
16,071
-
60,686
£
8,806
8,806
( 8,806)
8,806

Page 14

THE BLOOD CARE FOUNDATION

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

10 Movement in funds

Current year
Unrestricted funds
General fund
Prior year
Unrestricted funds
General fund
Designated funds:
Fund For Projects
Brought
forward
146,187
146,187
Brought
forward
16,788
145,048
161,836
Income
297,261
297,261
Income
195,664
-
195,664
( 295,260)
( 295,260)
Expenditure
( 211,313)
-
( 211,313)
Expenditure
Transfers
-
-
Transfers
145,048
( 145,048)
-
Carried
forward
148,188
148,188
Carried
forward
146,187
-
146,187

The designated fund was created to fund special projects following the receipt of legacy income in prior years. The trustees have decided that the designated fund should be transferred into the general fund to improve the management of ongoing operations.

11 Contingent liabilities

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 £205,449 at 31 December 2024 (2023: £211,449) 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.

A contingent liability also exists in relation to a possible obligation for alarm centre costs. This service has been provided, but has not been invoiced by the supplier for a number of years, despite these being requested. Due to the supplier seemingly not seeking payment for these services, these costs are now deemed possible but not probable, and the accrual for these has been reversed out of the financial statements. Given the uncertainty it is not possible to estimate the financial effect as at the balance sheet date.

Page 15

THE BLOOD CARE FOUNDATION

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

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 charges service, administration and support fees to the Foundation.

charges service, administration and support fees to the Foundation.
2024 2023
£ £
Service fees, management and administrative services 38,422 31,776
Office rent 4,224 4,224

At the balance sheet date £25,860 (2023: £13,625) was due to Asclepius (International) Limited and this is included in creditors.

Page 16