## **Reading Family Aid Group**
**ANNUAL REPORT Year ended 30 April 2022**
e-mail: info@ReadingFamilyAid.org website: www.ReadingFamilyAid.org Registered Charity No. 1022144
Address: 61 Woodcote Road, Caversham, Reading RG4 7EX Phone 07930 033413
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## CONTENTS
|CONTENTS||
|---|---|
|ABOUT THE CHARITY|3|
|CHAIR’S REPORT|4|
|FINANCIAL REPORT|7|
|TRUSTEES|12|
|CHARITY COMMISSION &|13|
|GOVERNING DOCUMENTS||
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## ABOUT THE CHARITY
Our mission is to put a smile on the faces of disadvantaged children in the Reading area.
Our aim is to bring a little joy into the lives of children and families living with poverty, physical, mental, sexual, alcohol and drug abuse, illness, disability, homelessness or refugee status.
We work through schools, social workers, health visitors, places of worship and other charities and charitable organisations.
We distribute toys at Christmas to children aged 0-16 through our _Toys & Teens_ Appeal.
Where our funds permit, we also provide outings throughout the year for children and their families who couldn't afford to go otherwise. These may be to a theme park, the seaside, a zoo or a farm park; they may also be to local activity centres and adventure playgrounds, theatres and cinemas.
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## CHAIR’S REPORT
## **Overview**
Thanks to our supporters, sponsors, partners and especially to all our amazing members of Reading Family Aid, we have had another successful year bringing smiles to children’s faces.
We have proved that with our tenacity and diligence we can tackle any challenges we face.
This was my first year as chair and it was an honour to have this responsibility.
## **Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service and celebrations**
We have been very thrilled to be honoured with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.
We celebrated this award together at our last AGM with a special cake.
In September, the then Reading’s Mayor Cllr David Stevens met with some from our committee to congratulate us.
Berkshire community foundation invited us for a celebratory afternoon tea at Ascot Racecourse. This was attended by Duke of Wessex who thanked all the volunteers for the work done during covid pandemic. Laura and Sallie attended this afternoon tea on behalf of Reading Family Aid.
We received the award on October 7th at Reading Town Hall from Mr James Puxley, the Lord Lieutenant of Royal County of Berkshire.
We were also invited to Queens Garden party held in May 2022.
## **Summer**
Our summer was jam packed this year.
A wide variety of outings were arranged. They were enjoyed by all age groups and ranged from adventure filled rock climbing and canoeing to a relaxed day at the beach in Caversham lakes, a fun day at play rangers and our all-time favourite Camp Mohawk.
Thanks to Vivienne and team for arranging these outings.
We have started to use online forms for booking onto our events.
We also drafted up a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to sign with our partner organisations. This MoU helps us to clearly identify the roles and responsibilities of
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Reading Family Aid and the partner organisation in respect of working with each other to deliver Outings and Events
We also did a summer toy project this year.
## **Christmas Toy Project**
The number of children in need of our support has been on a steady increase in the last few years.
We have successfully delivered a highly efficient toy project with less resources and supported more children. Special thanks to Laura’s grit and diligence, hard work of our purchasing elves Sallie, Ruth, Roz and Wendy, and to Sue, David and Vivienne for keeping our accounts in check throughout the project. Thanks to VanMen and all the volunteers who helped with our Christmas toy project.
We have supported 2558 children in Reading this year with our Christmas Toys and Teens Appeal.
Reading’s Mayor Rachel Eden and a lot of local companies supported our appeal.
We distributed donated toys and bought toys online as part of our Toy Project. We used more of online forms and streamlined the overall process. A training was given to RFA members having to use the online forms.
The donated toys were sorted and packed into sacks of several age ranges. The requestors who received these sacks sorted and distributed them to families. We carried out a feedback survey and requestors were largely happy with our new approach and happy to continue sorting the toys to families themselves.
We want to take these learnings to future toy projects as this would help us support more children in future.
## **Publicity and Fundraising**
All our success would not be possible without our fantastic and talented publicity team – Thanks to Charlie, Anna, Krista and Maria. Our newsletters, blogs and appeals were very engaging. You have helped spread the word of our good work and bring this community closer together.
Thanks to our fundraising team for all the good work they do with our supporters and sponsors.
We have had the pleasure of working with Maiden Erlegh Chiltern Edge school. Our team went over to MECE school to inspire the young minds to come up with fundraising ideas they could organise. A very positive outcome overall to have these students interested in community charity.
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On Mother’s Day, Glass Ensemble, an all-female choir, held a concert at St Barnabas Church in Emmer Green and the retiring collection was donated to our charity.
## **Accounting and Admin**
Sue stepped in as our new treasurer and did an amazing job. David and Sue did a diligent job keeping our accounts in check. Sue updated our bank mandates this year as per our new roles.
Wendy was my absolute rock as vice chair.
Special thanks to Laura for being the secretary and enduring all the work that the role brings.
Thanks to Ruth for providing valuable guidance and insight with her expertise and experience.
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## FINANCIAL REPORT
## **1. Summary**
The accounts for the year ended 30 April 2022 reflect the continuing uncertainty of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on Reading Family Aid’s activities.
Social distancing and possible lockdown regulations meant that a normal Toy Project, using volunteers to sort and distribute toys was not feasible. A GoFundMe fundraising appeal was again launched and a reduced number of donated toys were collected. Additional toys were purchased and delivered direct.
The Charity Commission approved the Cy-Pres scheme for the excess income from the 2020/21 Toy and Teens appeal to be used for toys in subsequent years. This was used for toys purchased during the summer 2021 and the rest for the Christmas Toy Project.
Outings were arranged to local venues rather than involving longer journeys in coaches.
Total income and expenditure are set out in the table below. Further information is provided in sections 2 and 3.
|provided in sections 2 and 3.||
|---|---|
|Total income
Total expenditure
**Surplus/(deficit)**|2021/22
2020/21
Change
£
£
£
31,708.37
44,778.54 (13,070.17)
(37,877.64) (30,387.30)
(7,490.34)|
||**(6,169.27)**
**14,391.24**
**20,560.51**|
## **2. Income**
The main components of income are set out in the table below.
|**Income**
General/toy project donations
Local Giving donations
Fundraising and other
Funding
Sale of goods
**Total**|2021/22
2020/21
Increase/
(decrease)
£
£
£
30,372.82
40,183.62
(9,810.80
946.89
1,351.09
(404.20)
306.58
243.83
62.75
-
3,000.00
(3000.00)
82.08
-
82.08|
|---|---|
||**31,708.37**
**44,778.54 (13,070.17)**|
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Total income in 2021/22 was £31,708.37, £13,080.17 lower than the previous year.
General/toy project monetary donations were £9,810.80 lower than the previous year. This includes £22,272.63 raised to purchase toys and gifts for the 2021 Toy Project. (£31,550.59 was raised for the 2020 Toy Project). The excess income from 2020 Toy and Teens appeal was also available to purchase toys via the Cy-Pres scheme.
Donations through Local Giving were £404.20 lower, as again, we used a GoFundMe fundraising page for the Toys and Teens appeal.
No funding was received in 2021/22. Last year £3,000 was received from the Toy Trust.
Fundraising and other income decreased by £1,135.70 to £243.83. No fundraising activities were arranged in 2021, due to the Covid-19 pandemic uncertainties.
## **3. Expenditure**
The main components of expenditure are set out in the table below.
|**Expenditure**
Toy project
Summer toys
Toy Trust and other toys
Summer outings
Pantomime
Camp Mohawk
Easter 2022 Outing
Room hire/storage
Liability insurance
Other
**Total**|2021/22
2020/21
Increase/
(decrease)
£
£
£
24,241.46
21.207.28
3,034.18
5,431.10
4,480.20
950.90
-
3,026.13
(3026.13)
3,072.00
-
3,072.00
2,342.00
-
2,342.00
675.00
-
675.00
941.65
-
941.65)
81.77
986.88
(905.11)
502.94
468.16
34.78
589.72
218.65
371.07|
|---|---|
||**37,877.64**
**30,387.30**
**7,490.34**|
|||
Total expenditure in 2021/22 was £37,877.64, £7,490.34 higher than the previous year. We spent funds on purchasing toys at both Christmas and during the summer.
We spent £4,688.65 on outings and £2,342 on the pantomime, neither of which were possible in the previous year due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Room hire/storage was £905.11 lower than the previous year. The storage unit was
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kindly donated and only insurance costs were incurred for a few weeks.
Further information on the Toy Project expenditure is provided in the table below. Again, we raised funds to purchase toys which were delivered directly by the supplier. We also had some toys donated, which were sorted and delivered mainly by our own committee to ensure social distancing. Increased requests meant that we spent £3,099.32 more on toys, gifts and batteries than the previous year.
|**Toy Project expenditure**
Toys, gifts, and batteries
Contribution for use of hall
Labels, rubber bands and stationery
Bags for delivery
Van insurance, travel and fuel
Food for helpers
**Total**|2021/22
2020/21
Increase/
(decrease)
£
£
£
23,697.21
20,597.89
3,099.32
250.00
250.00
-
67.06
114.23
(47.17)
-
150.00
(150.00)
224.19
95.16
129.03
3.00
-
3.00|
|---|---|
||**24,241.46**
**21,207.28**
**3,034.18**|
## **4. Funds**
The movement in funds is set out in the table below.
In normal times, a significant proportion of our expenditure arises in the first quarter of the year when the Camp Mohawk and summer outings take place. We therefore aim to have higher level of funds in place at the financial year end in order to fund these activities.
|Funds at start of year
Expenditure in year
Income raised during the year
**Total**|2021/22
2020/21
£
£
31,764.05
17,372.81
(37,877.64) (30,387.30)|
|---|---|
||(6,113.59) (13,014.49)
31,708.37
44,778.54|
||**25,594.78**
**31,764.05**|
## **5. Looking forward**
Funds are in place for activities and outings currently planned for the year to 30 April 2023 and admin costs. To continue to purchase additional toys at Christmas, as well as rely on toy donations, further funds may need to be raised.
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Reading Family Aid Group
Income and Expenditure Report
Yearentfed
30 Aprll
Year ended
30April
2021
Income
Donation5
General linduding toy projertl
tocal Giving (incl FundraisiTh8 and GiftAidl
30.172.82
946.89
31,319.71
40,183.62
1,351.09
41.534.71
Fundin
Toy Trust
3.0(Kl.LhJ
3.OtN).LKI
fundraisin
£arleyGreen Fair
Winnet5h fetp
Sale of Goods
Toy prolett iterns
82.08
Other Income
Deposit Account Inte$1
GIftd on donations made directtyto U5
1.51
10.58
305.07
306.58
233.25
243.83
Totsl In¢ome
Expenditure
Toy Proje
fjener31 expenses
Toy5, gifts & battsrl
PantDmirne 2021
Summeroutings 2021
Camp Mohawk outing 2021
Easter Outing 2022
Summertoys
ToyTrust and othertDy5
Admin & Éeneral expenses
Local Giwn8 5ubscr*ption5
Rootn hire15torage
LIalitY Insurance
Website
Yotal Expenditure
31.708.37
44.778.54
544.25
23,697.21
2,342.
3,072.(M)
675.
609.39
20.597.89
941.6S
5A31.10
4.480.20
3,026.13
84.95
96.00
986.88
468.16
37.70
30.387.ao
470.82
96.00
81.77
502.94
22.90
37 877.64
Surplu5lldefidtl of Sncomeoverewndiiure
16.169.271
14,391.24
Page 10 of 14
Reading Family Aid Group
Balance Sheet
Asat
30 April
2022
Asat
30 Aprll
2021
Balan¢e at Bank
BardByS Currenr Account
Barclay5 Dep051t Account
4.941.70
20,653.08
3,212.48
28.551.57
Total As*ets
25 594.78
31 764.05
Fund5 at beginnin8 of year
surplu[derlcitj ol incomè over expendilure
Funds at end of VEar
31,764.05
16.169.271
25
94.78
17.372.81
14.391.24
31 764.05
Prepared by.. S. Marson, Treasurer
Date.. 24 June 2022
Independent Examiner's Statemènt
I have examlned the accounts for the year ended 30 April 2022.1 conflrm that no mèterlal
matters have wrne to myattentlon in connection wlth the exarnination which give me tause
to believe that, in any fflaterial respect..
a¢counting records were not kept In aicordance with secrion 130 of the CharStie5 Act 2011 or
- the accounts do not bccord with the accounting record5.
I have no coniern5 and have tome across no other matters in connectk>n with the
examinatlon to which attentlon should be drawn In or(fer to enèble a proper understanding of
the accounts to be reathed.
Name.. Julian Pearce
Date.. 24 June 2D22
Notes to the accounts
Ba$ls of Preparatlon
The accounts are prepa0 on the receipts and payments basis.
Fund$
T¢tal funds at 30 Aprll 2022 are E25,594.78. £25 has been donated towards a Camp Mohawk trip.
All other funds are Unrtr¢ted.
It 15 currentFy planned to use mosr of the existingfunds to finance attivSties in theyear endlng
30 Apiil 2023, including a vi51t to Camp Mehawk,various other trip5 and Summer activities.
The remaindeT will finance the 2022 Christma5 actNities and ongoingcosts.
Page 11 of14
## TRUSTEES
Chair Sravanthi Yellapragada
Vice Chair Wendy Howell Secretary Laura Windisch Treasurer Sue Marson (from 3[rd] March 2022) Others: Roslyn Heinze Ruth Perkins Valerie Sansom Vivienne Simpson Sallie Wall David Berry
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## CHARITY COMMISSION & GOVERNING DOCUMENTS
## Governing Document
Reading Family Aid Group operates in accordance with its constitution adopted on 21 April 1993, as amended on 16 June 2004, 19 July 2016 and 4 March 2021.
UK Charity Commission registration number: 1022144
## Charity Commission for England and Wales Public Benefit Guidance
The trustees have had due regard to the public benefit guidance issued by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
## Charity Commission for England and Wales Cy-Pres Scheme Application
The trustees applied for a cy-pres scheme to the Charity Commission to allow them to use the excess funds raised in the 2020 Christmas Toys and Teens Appeal on toys and gifts in the future and received final approval on May 7[th] 2021.
## Charity Registered Address
61 Woodcote Road, Caversham, Reading, RG4 7EX
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