e-mail: info@ReadingFamilyAid.org website: www.ReadingFamilyAid.org Registered Charity No. 1022144 

Address: 39, The Crescent, Earley, Reading, RG6 7NW Phone: 07930 033413 


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## CONTENTS 

|**ABOUT THE CHARITY**|**3**|
|---|---|
|**CHAIR’S REPORT**|**4**|
|**FINANCIAL REPORT: Reading Family Aid Group 2025/6**|**11**|
|**TRUSTEES**|**18**|
|**CHARITY COMMISSION & GOVERNING DOCUMENTS**|**19**|




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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 or drug abuse, illness, disability, domestic violence, 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** 

After joining Reading Family Aid in 2023, 2025/26 was my first year as Chair, having taken over from Wendy in July 2025. It has been a fantastic year for the charity, with many successful outings, some significant donations, and our first-ever runners taking part in the London Marathon. 

We are extremely grateful for the generosity of all our supporters. This has been one of our strongest years for major donations. 

In July 2025, we received a £3,000 donation from Procter & Gamble. We were delighted to receive their support once again. 


Procter & Gamble presenting a cheque to Ruth at their offices 

Enterprise Mobility surprised us not once but twice this year, donating £2,500 in July and a further £3,500 in December. They have supported Reading Family Aid for many years, but their generosity this year has been truly exceptional. 


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Enterprise Mobility presenting their cheque to Laura, RFA Secretary, during Toy Week 

BDO, a local accountancy and business services firm, has supported us for many years by providing volunteers for Toy Week. We are now fortunate to have two BDO employees, Vicky and Katie, volunteering on our committee. They have been instrumental in securing a £2,490 donation from BDO. Thank you to BDO for your continued support. 

St Andrew’s Church in Caversham donated a total of £1,940 during the year through a variety of fundraising initiatives, including the Fisherman’s Café, from which we received all proceeds taken in October 2025. 

We also received two donations of £500 from anonymous donors via LocalGiving in April 2026. Although we are unable to thank them personally, we are extremely grateful for their generosity. 

Finally, one of our long-standing supporters, Lorraine Wheeler, donated £1,000 completely unexpectedly. What a wonderful surprise! 

Throughout the year, we ran all our usual outings, including trips to Beale Park, Bournemouth, Odds Farm, and Camp Mohawk, as well as our annual pantomime visit in January. The following message from one of the refugee families we support highlights just how much these experiences mean: 

_"I, together with my family, would like to express our deepest gratitude and heartfelt appreciation for all the support and kindness you have given us. Through your help, we had the opportunity to travel to Bournemouth, including a wonderful visit to the beach. My children were truly happy and excited, and the experience has created special memories that we will always treasure."_ 


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Families enjoying the beach in Bournemouth 


Feeding the goats at Odds Farm 

Summer fetes continue to provide a valuable opportunity to raise funds while increasing awareness of Reading Family Aid and the work we do. In 2025, we had stalls at Woodley Carnival, Winnersh Fete and Earley Green Fair, raising more than £1,000 across the three events. 


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Our ever-popular stall at Earley Green Fair 

Our annual Toys and Teens Christmas Gift Appeal was another huge success in 2025, providing gifts for 2,676 disadvantaged children across our local area. The appeal would not be possible without our generous donors, sponsors, Toy Week volunteers, van drivers and everyone else who contributes in any way. We extend our sincere thanks to every one of you. 


Mayor of Reading in 2025/26, Councillor Dr Alice Mpofu-Coles, visiting RFA volunteers in Toy Week 

In 2026, we donated Easter eggs to several local charities, including Launchpad, Bounce Back 4 Kids, Berkshire Women's Aid, Reading Refugee Support Group, Alana House, Home-Start Wokingham and Grassrootz. We also provided Easter eggs for children in care through Reading Borough Council. 


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Kelvin and Shaelon from Grassrootz, collecting 50 Easter eggs to be given out to kids helping on a litter pick 

Reading Family Aid also reached out to local Muslim communities and, working alongside women’s groups and learning centres, provided Eid-al-Fitr gifts for almost 20 children. We are delighted to have worked with a number of organisations for the first time and look forward to developing these relationships further in the future. 

One of our proudest achievements this year was becoming involved with the 2026 London Marathon. Back in autumn 2024, we were thrilled to secure two charity places through the charity bond scheme. These places were taken up by two dedicated runners, George Kelleher and Conal McLean. Together, they exceeded their fundraising targets, raising almost £4,500 (£3,247 in 2025/26 financial year). Both completed the marathon despite the unseasonably warm conditions, with Conal even running in fancy dress as a Christmas present! 


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George and Conal before starting the London Marathon 

The London Marathon has been a tremendous success for Reading Family Aid, and we are delighted to have secured two places for each year through to 2029. 

Sadly, this year marked the retirement of some of our longest-serving committee members. Jill Barker, Ruth Perkins, Val Sansom and Sallie Wall stepped down after collectively contributing well over 100 years of service to Reading Family Aid. Their dedication has helped bring joy to thousands of children and families, and we thank them for their remarkable commitment. 


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RFA Committee members at the 2025 AGM 

At the same time, we were delighted to welcome several new committee members in early 2026. Kathy Davis, Katie Jones and Annie Oakey have already made valuable contributions to our Publicity, Outings and Toys & Teens Appeal teams, and we look forward to working with them in the years ahead. 

None of this would be possible without the commitment and generosity of the many people and organisations who support Reading Family Aid. To our volunteers, donors, sponsors, fundraisers, partner organisations and committee members, thank you for everything you do. Your time, energy and kindness make a real difference to the lives of local children and families, and we are incredibly grateful for your continued support. 

It has been a privilege to serve as Chair of Reading Family Aid during the past year. I am proud of everything we have achieved together and excited to see what my second year as Chair will bring. 

Anna Gilbert 

June 2026 


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## **FINANCIAL REPORT: Reading Family Aid Group 2025/6** 

## **1. Summary** 

Total income and expenditure for the last two years are set out in the table below. Further information is provided in sections 2 and 3 and the Income and Expenditure report overleaf. 

||2025/6|2024/5|Change|
|---|---|---|---|
||£|£|£|
|Total income|33,698.80|48,231.61|-14,532.81|
|Total expenditure|37,806.06|33,062.04|4,744.02|
|**Surplus / Deficit**|**-4,107.26**|**15,169.57**|**-19,276.83**|



At the end of April 2026 there was a bank balance of £44,293.83 (April 2025 48,401.09). 



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## **2. Income** 

Total income in 2025/6 was £33,698.80, £14,532.81 less than the previous year. Donations included a further £3,000 from P & G Gillette’s Community Impact Program. 

St Andrews Church in Caversham adopted RFA as their charity to support for a year and collected a further £1,940.34 this year through their fundraising. 

BDO charitable trust donated £2,490 matched funding for their employees fundraising. The employee fundraising will be received in our next financial year. 

Thanks to Enterprise Mobility[TM] for donating £6,000 this year. 

No funding was applied for. 

A Christmas GoFundMe appeal raised £4,792. Many more generous donations from local businesses, schools, churches, many individuals and gift aid provided further income. 

Fundraising by the committee brought in another £1,865.84 through local fetes and sale of goods. Wendy and her husband donated £50 per month towards the storage facility, Laura’s father in law donated his Reading lottery winnings once again this year and other committee members or their families made individual donations or matched funding with their employer. 

Our 2 amazing London marathon runners have collected £3,246.59 so far, this financial year in sponsorship. 

A huge thanks once again to all our supporters. 


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## **3. Expenditure** 

Total expenditure in 2025/26 was £37,806.06, £4,744.02 more than 2024/25. The detail is below: 


## **Christmas Toy Project expenditure** 

||2025/6|2024/5|Change|
|---|---|---|---|
||£|£|£|
|Toys and batteries|17,822.70|15,193.96|2,628.74|
|Contribution for use of hall|350.00|350.00|-|
|Labels, bags, publicity and stationery|906.65|684.58|222.07|
|Van insurance, travel and fuel|420.29|421.11|-0.82|
|Food for helpers|53.81|71.66|-17.85|
|Storage|2,054.17|2,004.32|49.85|
|**Total**|**21,607.62**|**18,725.63**|**2,881.99**|



£17,822.70 was spent on Christmas toys this year. This was an increase of £2,629 on last year mainly spent on sensory toys and for the over 10 year olds. 


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## **Trips and Activities Expenditure** 

||2025/6|2024/5|Change|
|---|---|---|---|
||£|£|£|
|Coach /(s) to Bournemouth and expenses|1,840.00|1,788.22|51.78|
|Autumn/Christmas trips for older children|4,000.00|3,355.00|645.00|
|Beale Park|1,163.00|1,031.50|131.50|
|Camp Mohawk|1,310.00|1,260.00|50.00|
|Panto|3,010.00|2,281.00|729.00|
|Easter Outing to Odds Farm|1,427.90|1,471.10|-43.20|
|**Total**|**12,750.90**|**11,186.82**|**1,564.08**|



In 2025/26 the cost of the Hexagon Pantomine tickets had increased to £3,010 (£729 more than the previous year). The trips organised for the older children in 2025/6 included 2 coaches to Thorpe Park and a Christmas trip to Reading’s Winter Wonderland. 

## A **dmin and General Expenses** 

|A**dmin and General Expenses**||||
|---|---|---|---|
||2025/6|2024/5|Change|
||£|£|£|
|Postage, Stationery, Phone|25.16|274.88|-249.72|
|Website & email service|492.52|421.93|70.59|
|Room Hire|83.00|44.00|39.00|
|Liability Insurance|640.12|499.14|140.98|
|Fundraising Expenses|10.83|1,004.00|-993.17|
|Admin subscriptions|467.88|514.88|-47.00|
|Committee Training|60.00|60.00|-|
|Equipment purchases|354.00|271.56|82.44|
|Miscellaneous|30.00|-|30.00|
|**Total**|**2,163.51**|**3,090.39**|**-926.88**|




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The entry fee for the 2026/27 London Marathon bond will be paid in the 2026/27 financial year. In 2024/5 this was £960. 

Equipment purchase in 2025/6 was for a printer. 

As we held a healthy level of funds in 2025/6 it was agreed to purchase and distribute birthday toys, Easter eggs and Eid presents at a cost of £1,284.03. In 2024/5 £59.20 was spent on Easter eggs. 


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READING FAMILY AID GROUP
INCOME AND EXPENDrruRE REPORT FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDING 30TH APRIL 2026
INCOME..
Year eThJed 30th April 2026
Yearethjed 30th Aprll 2025
Donations
GenEral (Ir￿lUdIng Toy Project and Gift Aid)
28.041.26 £
35,642.27
Fundir
7,832.¢Jl
Fundr3iyng
F3irs. Car bwt. texriles
Small Strin85 Concert
Londcffj marat￿
1.091.47 £
1.492.77
2,282.15
3.246.59
Sale of Good5
774.37 £
465.(Al
Other Income
Deposit Account Intere
545.11 £
517.42
Total Income
33.698.80 £
48,231.61
ExpEND￿vRE.
Toy Project.. General expense5
Toy Project..Tws, Gift5 and w)ucher5
Toy Project.. Storage
Toy Proiect".Adveni51ng
I,499.￿ £
17,822.70 £
2,054.17 £
231.f￿ £
1,367.02
15,193.96
2,CXM.32
IEI).33
Pantomime
Summer/ Autumn outings
Camp Mohawk oJti
Easter out1￿ 2026- Odds Farm
Easter E8851 Eid presents
Fundraising exp5.. Marathon entry
Adrnin & general expenses
Equiprnent
Total Expenditure
3.010.¢XJ £
7.(K13.(Kl £
1.310.(KI £
I.427.￿ £
1,284.03 £
IOA3 £
1.798.68 £
354.￿ É
37.806.06 £
2.2BI.¢XJ
6,174.72
1.471.10
59.20
1,039.96
1,754.83
295.60
33.062.04
Surplus/ldefKlt-l of income o%Er expenth.ture
4.107.26 £
15,169.57
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Page 17 of 19

## **TRUSTEES** 

Chair: Anna Gilbert Vice Chair: Paul Cooper Secretary: Laura Windisch Treasurer: Sue Marson Others: Carolyn Cheney (from January 2026) Wendy Howell Charlotte McLean Vivienne Simpson 


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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, 4 March 2021 and 11 Jan 2024 

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 Registered Address: 

39, The Crescent, Earley, Reading, RG6 7NW 

## **Bankers:** 

Barclays Bank PLC 

**Independent Examiner** : 

## Ms Annette Parker 




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