CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the tTUSteesl members of Home Counties Boxer Welfare On accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 Charity no (if any) 10006246 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on rny examination of the accounts of the above charity ('Ihe Trust.) for the year ended Responslbllltles and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Act"). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confimi that no material matters have come to my attention (other than that disclosed below ') in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the account8 do not accord with the accounting records Independent examiner's statement I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply. Signed: Date: Name: S h LLf tThJ A-ILD . Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): 44"A<Li tr(LL."w ft S SLE C.C-rfL71 r ltri) taTrfi Fc-c H Address: NTrJi3 f&_S IER October 2018
Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concem (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidan for examiners). Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. IER October 2018
Helping Boxers in need find loving homes Home Counties Boxer elfare Charity Number 1248 Trustees, Annual Report & Accounts for the period from 1st January 2024 to 31st December 2024 Charity name: Home Counties Boxer Welfare Charity registration number: 1006246 Objectives and Activities The stated aim of the charity is: "The rellef of sick, ill-treated, neglected or rejected dogs, in partlcular dogs of the Boxer breed." Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document Our activities include: 1. Rehoming dogs who can no longer stay in their current homes, preferably from home to home but where necessary usin9 a network of foster homes and kennels. 2. Meeting veterinary costs for dogs both in our care and also for some who remain with their families or who are in other rescues. 3. Providing behaviourist support to help dogs overcome issues which may arise from lack of training or even abusive treatment. 4. Providing advice and support to boxer owners on training, health and other boxer issues; giving encouragement and confidence to help them and their dog enjoy a positive and fun relationship. 5. Co-ordinating home checks and follow-up visits through a network of volunteers for potential adopters, adopting homes, fosterers and foster homes. 6. Fundraising via a range of activities to financially support the charity's operational costs. 7. Liaising with HCBW members through the issue of the annual 'Newslink' magazine. HCBW is a breed specific rescue. We are involved only with boxer dogs and sometimes boxer crosses. We try to help wherever we can and this year we have helped four boxer crosses to find new homes and supported another, in private ownership, with veterinary costs. We believe that boxers are unique and because of their distinctive behaviours and generally high energy; ensuring the dog is in the right empathetic home is very important. The knowledge within the charity gained over many years has proved invaluable in the successful rehoming of many dogs. We tske care in seeking the right home for each and every dog, and in the rare cases where this goes wrong or the circumstances in the new home change adversely, we are there to take the dog back into our care. During 2024, four such dogs were returned to us and have been successfully rehomed again. Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in articular, the 2024 began with 8 dogs in our care looking for homes; 3 in foster homes, one in kennels and the rest remained in their original homes. During 2024 we dealt with 62 dogs: 49 were rehomed. an additional 10 stayed with their original owners, while 2 were rehomed elsewhere. Sadly, one dog was pts due to unpredictable and unmana eable serious behavioural issues. At the ear-end we had 3 do
activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. still looking for homes and 3 older dogs on long term foster. Very sadly one of our 0Sder dogs who had been in long term foster died just before Christmas. Our foster homes remain very special to us, and we work closely with them to provide any support they need for the care of our dogs. All foster dog vet bills are covered by HCB W and. where necessary, food is provided, especially if the dog requires a special diet. As in previous years, our veterinary costs continue to be a major expense. We have had a number of dogs that we have rehomed requiring expensive veterinary treatment for pre-existing conditions. including mainly allergy and skin condrtions. Because the condrtions are pre-existing. they are not covered by any pet insurance and so HCBW will make arrangements to help finance such situations. Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charty Commission on public benefit HCBW strive to take into consideration both the needs of the dogs and the expectations of any potential adopters. Where a dog comes into our care, he or she is our prime concem. We endeavour to assess the dog fully before seeking a suitable home. Where the previous background is unknown, we will not rehome a dog with young children, older vulnerable children andlor vulnerable adults. All potential homes are considered based on the same criteria: the welfare of the dog. Contribution made by volunteers We are indebted to the small army of volunteers, across a wide swathe of the country, who home-check for us, often with little notice, and who diligently check out applicants, homes for suitability to adopt or foster. Although named Home Counties we routinely cover the Midlands down to the West Country and across to East Anglia and Kent from Gloucester, Worcester and occasionally Wales, We remain grateful to the regular sponsorships and donations made to support the running of HCBW. Members and supporters prove themselves selfless and generous, enabling us to provide the support to the dogs in our car8. This year we have been very honoured to receive substantial legacies from two long term supporters. We are in the process of assessing the best way to invest the funds and to ensure they are spent for the welfare of boxer dogs in the UK, as intended by the legators. As with the previous year, we reached out to other charities and responded to individual owners to help with veterinary costs, thus enabling life changinglsaving treatment which otherwise would not have been available for the dogs. During 2024 we donated £200 to other registered dog charities and over £11,850 to individuals where they lacked the funds to meet essential veterinary costs. We were prepared to do more. Other Achievements and Performance Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the differen the charity's work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to socie as a whole. HCBW sucsSfullY placed 49 dogs into new, loving homes where their needs and welfare are being managed. The majority of these dogs go on to lead happy lives without the help and further support of HCBW. We maintain a continual connection with new families either with direct contact through the trustee or volunteer who oversaw the rehoming or by the many updates on our Facebook group. The welfare of HCBWS dogs is our main priority. and we will provide support wherever it is needed.
A high number of the dogs we re-homed this year were young dogs wrth behavioural challenges. We were able to provide behavioural support for many of them, as well as moral support for owners who just needed to be reassured that their dog was fine. performan of fundraising activities against objectives set We held a successful outdoor event in May this year which was well attended and provided a much-needed opportunity to speak to people face-to-face. It also gave us a chance to raise awareness of the rescue and to sell a selection of our merchandise. Feedback from the event was all very positive and we are hopeful of arranging another similar event in 2025. We continued with on-line sales of merchandise, including our own calendar featuring our rescued dogs and also our uniquely designed Christmas cards. Investment performance against objectives NIA Other Financial Review Review of the charity's fsnancial position at the end of the period Financial Statement attached. Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held The charity has invested money accrued over many years, including from legacies and other donations. We have recently benefitted from two further large legacies from the estates of long-time supporters, amounting to £355,000. The funds are held to be used by the Trustees in order to cover any costs which may occur. Over recent years we have operated at an annual loss and the funds have been used to cover these. Following a practise established in 2022, we have reached out to other boxer rescue charities to offer financial help with their veterinary costs. We have also responded to financial requests towards veterinary care from boxer dog owners who might otherwise have been forced to give up or rehome their dogs, very much against their wishes. Readily accessible monies are held in bank deposits with the larger sum held in portfolio of funds managed by Fidelius Wealth Management, Bath. Amount of reserves held £736,000 Reasons for holding zero reserrfes NIA Details of fund materially in deficit NIA Explanation of any UnrtaIntieS about the charity continuing as a going concern Whilst we have a small army of volunteers who provide financial support andlor undertake home checks, offers of help with transporting dogs and assisting at dog shows. we continue to struggle to attract new volunteers to take up the role of trusteelcommittee members which is essential to ensure HCBW continues to erate.
The charity's principal SoUrS of funds (including any fundraising) HCBW generated funds from adoption fees, membership subscriptions, regular sponsorship donations and one-off donations. This year have also very gratefully received legacies from the wills of two people totalling £355.000. A further £2,000 was reiVed in memory of loved ones where the families kindly nominated the charty to receive donations from the funerals. We also have a portfolio of funds generating a regular return on our long-term investment. A description of the principal risks facing the charity The requests for help have continued with financial constraints continuing to be one of the main causes of dogs coming into rescue. The costs of dog ownership are increasing, particularly for insurance and vet bills, which is causing people to relinquish their dogs to our care, particularly following relationship breakups. Financial constraint is one of several main reasons why fewer people are looking to own larger dogs. The charty also faces problems finding suitable homes. Many homes now have two wage earners who are both out at work during the day and are leading much busier lifestyles, There is a general trend away from people wanting larger dogs and they are more likely to take on a smaller more manageable dog, so boxer dogs in general have become less popular. Since the Dangerous Dogs Act, as well as the more recent ban on XL Bullies, there has been a reluctan to take on a 'challenging' dog which requires extra time and further training. Sadly, an increasing number of the boxers we are asked to help are young dogs with behavioural issues. Other Structure, Governance and Management Type of goveming document HCBW is governed by a written constrtution, adopted at the AGM in 2012 How is the charity constituted? HCBW is an unincorporated charity. Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees Trustees are elected from the membership at the AGM, being proposed and seconded by members. Trustees are elected, or re*lected, every year.
Reference and Administrative detsils Charty name Home Counties Boxer Welfare Other name the charity uses HCBW Registered charity number 1006246 Charity's principal address 26 Latimer stony Stratford Milton Keynes MK11 1HY Names of the Charity Trustees who manage the Charity Trustees name Offlce if any Dates acted If not the whole year Donna Russell Karen Kerb Lorraine Harve Rosema Westbrook Eleanor Barton Trace Lowes An ela Barber Julie Semmence Chair erson Secreta Treasurer U to Jul 2024 U to November 2024 Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others Description of the assets held in this capacity NIA Names and addresses of advlsers (Optlonal Infonnatlon) e of adviser Financial Name Fidelius Wealth Management Address Alexander House, James Street West Bath, BA12BT Exemptions from disclosure Reason for non-disclosure of ke NIA ersonnel details
Declarations The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees, Report and Accounts above Signed on behalf of the HCBW Trustees Signature(s) Full name{s) Position (eg. Secretsry, Chair, etc) Date ILklovlzoL
HOME COUNTIES BOXER WELFARE ACCOUNTS FOR YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 Income for the year 2024 2023 Subscriptlons 2024 £550. 2023 £690.00 2025 £390.(XJ £940.00 2024 £220.00 £910.00 Sponsorshlp Donations for adopted dogs Payments under Oldies Scheme Donations includln8 legacies and in memorlam donations Donations £5,284.00 p £16,350.00 £1,280.00 £5,489.00 £11,074.00 £1,300.00 £4.414.45 £357,006.06 t. £3,547.84 £449.66 £5,367.48 £27,862.90 £1,696.23 £52.22 Legacles and In memorlam donations Fundraislng from ppgivln& easycllck,easyfvndraislng & benevlty Commlssion Glft Ald refund from HMRC £0.00 21122&22123 £5,006.43 Funday recelpts Merchandlse sales £559.36 £1,353.64T £223.93 £1,129.71 £1.222.36 £237.61 less postage & package £984.75 Investment Income Bank and bullding society interest recebvable Barclays Deposit Manchester 8 Society £3,175.18 £0.00 £3,175.18 £394,136.26 £120.41 £80.41 £200.82 Totsl Inome £59,943.83 EXnseS Stock purchases for fvnd generatlon 402.24 £116.35 Dag carn and welfar• a¢tlvftle$ Veterlnary and other costs relatlng to the dogs Kennels charges Foster dog expenses Travelllng c05tS Behavlourlst support Hire of fields for dog introductions Dog tralnlng costs 5upportfor non HCBW dogs Donatlons for vet costs for dogs In other rÈstues Support costs Insurance £32,602.92 £18,646.25 £5,113.23 £2,254.50 £437.50 £54,641.50 £5,721.39 £818.64 £2,286.40 £79.98 £33.50 £2,106.33 12615.54 £200.00 £6,050.00 £271.65 £271.65 AGM, Shows & Rallies Webslte and software costs £174.20 £31.78 £945.88 £804.88 Printing & Statlonery. Newsllnk produttion & despatch Miscellaneous expenses Legal fees Total payments made Excess of Income over expendlture £72.86 £39.45 £355.14 £442.15 £107.28 £36.97 £174.00 £78.00 £74,453.17 £319,683.09 £73,478.99 413,535.16
Value of Imiestments LTI £390,743.18 £16,514.83 £407,258.01 £366,481.77 £24,261.41 £390.743.18 Revaluation Monles held Cash £0.00 £0.00 Bank currerrt account £6,449.02 £329.122.12 £605.53 £336,176.67 £743,434.68 £830.15 Bank deposlt account Paypal £15,155.88 £507.55 £16,493.58 £407,236.76 Non- monetary assets Merchandise £276.54 £139.71 PA 5yStem Wrltten down value £23.73 £31.64