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2024-03-31-accounts

Company no. 03005230 Charity no. 1043280

M. S. Research Treatment and Education Limited

Report and Unaudited Financial Statements

31 March 2024

M. S. Research Treatment and Education Limited

Reference and administrative details

For theyear ended 31 March 2024
Company number 03005230
Charity number 1043280
Registered office and The Vassall Centre
operational address Gill Avenue
Fishponds
Bristol
BS16 2QQ
Trustees Trustees, who are also directors under company law, who served during
the year and up to the date of this report were as follows:
Ben Clacy Company Secretary and Interim Chair
Philippa Cotton-Zaum Appointed 09 June 2023
Resigned 03 October 2023
Ropafadzo Pearl Gore Appointed 26 July 2023
Resigned 22 November 2023
Sarah Joiner Appointed 4 November 2024
Brian Pagington Resigned 4 November 2024
Olga Pagington Resigned 4 November 2024
Laurence Robb Resigned 10 September 2023
Neil Sood Appointed 19 May 2023
Resigned 4 November 2024
Christine Singleton Appointed 4 November 2024
Bankers CAF Bank Ltd National Westminster Bank Plc
25 Kings Hill Avenue PO Box 30038
Kings Hill Victoria Street
West Malling London
ME19 4JO SW1H 0H
Independent Godfrey Wilson Limited
examiners Chartered accountants and statutory auditors
5th Floor Mariner House
62 Prince Street
Bristol
BS1 4QD

1

M. S. Research Treatment and Education Limited

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Reference and administrative information set out on page 1 forms part of this report. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements, the Memorandum and Articles of Association and the Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting and Reporting by Charities (effective from January 2019).

1. Governance and structure

The organisation is a company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 23 December 1994 and is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association. The company was registered with the Charity Commission on 12 January 1995. Since 2013, it has operated from offices at the Vassall Centre in Bristol, a barrier free workspace initially set up as a not-for-profit social concern in disused hospital buildings that is fully accessible to people who have disability.

2. Achievements and performance

Objectives and activities

The Charity has referred to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the Charity’s aims and objectives during this unusual time. This particularly includes seeking to make advice and patient support more readily available on-line to reach a wider audience of those who have Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and those who care for them by extending the advice available on MS and on the progress of clinical developments during the pandemic and beyond.

The focus of MS Research remains provision of grant funding for research projects and programmes that aim to advance the treatment and management of the condition. The charity also supports further development of some successful treatment strategies beyond the research phase, providing “real world” evidence to support the aims of promoting new treatment modalities and better treatment strategies for people who have MS.

Our focus during the year on research going forward meant a new process for approving grants was introduced with more rigour around the process itself and a panel to review grant applications.

From this we approved one new grant with the first window of grant applications. The second window provided further applications of which any successful applications will fall in the next financial year.

Status of approved research projects during 2023-2024

Dr Sarah Thomas in the amount of £50,629 for FACETS digital toolkit: extending its reach and piloting (the Project). The intended start date for this Project was 1 September 2023 for a term of 12 months.

3. Financial review

Reserves policy

In the past our policy on managing reserves has been two-fold, committed funds and contingency reserves, as detailed below.

  1. To keep in hand a sum of money to enable the completion of on-going research studies, or to initiate new studies with appropriate funds in hand to ensure there are no delays in starting or funding approved new research studies or to continue essential treatment and education programmes to the end of a financial year. These are referred to as committed funds.

2

M. S. Research Treatment and Education Limited

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2024

  1. Contingency reserves are to enable a basic office service to continue with the aim of promoting recovery or other actions as needed in the case of income failure. A contingency fund of £65,000 was agreed for skeleton office staffing, essential running costs and rent to ensure time for recovery in the case of the forced ongoing disruption of income due to the pandemic in 2020 and beyond.

In preparation for the merger with MS Trust, outlined later in this report, these reserves were combined with general reserves in the year.

Our current reserves sit significantly beyond our policy due to high levels of fundraising over the last three years.

Although for the saddest of reasons, our income was significantly boosted by several large donations arising from legacies. Interim payments of £14,484 on 30 August 2023, £98,320 on 31 October 2023 and £5,000 on 22 December 2023 were received and notification of a further three legacies was received during 2023 - 2024.

Our income for the year ending 31 March 2024 was £188,962 (2023: £222,025), expenditure £144,568 (2023: £75,985), leaving a surplus of £44,394 (2023:£146,040). Trustee expenses during 2023-2024 amounted to £375 of approved travel expenses.

Post balance sheet events

MS Research began conversations with fellow MS charity The MS Trust* regarding working collaboratively in the future.

It became clear that the MS Trust had a keen interest in research and that the two charities would be stronger together. At a meeting with representatives of both parties, a merger between the parties was agreed in principle, subject to due diligence, with the overriding objective of providing the best outcomes for people with Multiple Sclerosis, particularly in the areas of research and education, and in furtherance of the charitable purposes of both parties.

Both parties sought legal advice to protect existing interests and ensure that our newly combined charity would adhere to the Objects agreed by both parties to ensure compatibility. The merger was completed on 4 November 2024 and Ben Clacy joined the Board of the MS Trust on this date. All staff and existing commitments were carried over on 4 November 2024.

*Multiple Sclerosis Trust (“MS Trust”), registered charity no. 1088353 and a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales no. 4247766, registered office: Spirella Building, Letchworth Garden City, SG6 4ET.

Statement of responsibilities of the trustees

The trustees (who are also directors of the charity 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, including Financial Reporting Standard 102: The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

3

M. S. Research Treatment and Education Limited

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the income and expenditure of the charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and which enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Members of the charity guarantee to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 to the assets of the charity in the event of winding up. The trustees are members of the charity but this entitles them only to voting rights. The trustees have no beneficial interest in the charity.

Independent examiners

Godfrey Wilson Limited were re-appointed as independent examiners to the charitable company during the year and have expressed their willingness to continue in that capacity.

Approved by the trustees on 19 December 2024 and signed on their behalf by

Ben Clacy - Interim Chair

4

Independent examiner's report

To the trustees of

M. S. Research Treatment and Education Limited

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of M. S. Research Treatment and Education Limited (the charitable company) for the year ended 31 March 2024, which are set out on pages 6 to 17.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charitable company (and also 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 charitable 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 charitable company's accounts as 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

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

William Guy Blake

Date: 19 December 2024 William Guy Blake ACA Member of the ICAEW For and on behalf of: Godfrey Wilson Limited

Chartered accountants and statutory auditors 5th Floor Mariner House

62 Prince Street Bristol BS1 4QD

5

M. S. Research Treatment and Education Limited

Statement of financial activities (incorporating an income and expenditure account)

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Restricted Unrestricted
Note
£
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
2
-
186,499
Investments
-
2,463
Total income
-
188,962
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
-
16,977
Charitable activities
-
127,591
Total expenditure
4
-
144,568
Net income
7
-
44,394
Transfers between funds
-
-
Net movement in funds
-
44,394
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
500
1,051,168
Total funds carried forward
500
1,095,562
2024
Total
£
186,499
2,463
188,962
16,977
127,591
144,568
44,394
-
44,394
1,051,668
1,096,062
2023
Total
£
220,611
1,414
222,025
22,105
53,820
75,925
146,100
-
146,100
905,568
1,051,668

All of the above results are derived from continuing activities. There were no other recognised gains or losses other than those stated above. Movements in funds are disclosed in note 14 to the accounts.

All income and expenditure in the prior period was unrestricted.

6

M. S. Research Treatment and Education Limited

Balance sheet

As at 31 March 2024

Note
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
10
Current assets
Debtors
11
Cash at bank and in hand
£
3,937
1,101,912
2024
£
-
2023
£
-
16,837
1,039,528
Liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due within 1 year
12
1,105,849
(9,787)
1,056,365
(4,697)
Net current assets 1,096,062 1,051,668
Net assets
13
1,096,062 1,051,668
Funds
14
Restricted funds
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
General funds
500
-
1,095,562
500
79,000
972,168
Total charity funds 1,096,062 1,051,668

The directors are satisfied that the company is entitled to exemption from the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 (the Act) relating to the audit of the financial statements for the year by virtue of section 477, and that no member or members have requested an audit pursuant to section 476 of the Act.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for:

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

Approved by the trustees on 19 December 2024 and signed on their behalf by

Ben Clacy - Interim Chair

7

M. S. Research Treatment and Education Limited

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

1. Accounting policies

a) Basis of preparation

M. S. Research Treatment and Education Limited is a charitable company registered in England and Wales. The registered office address is The Vassal Centre, Gill Avenue, Fishponds, Bristol, BS16 2QQ.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities in 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.

M. S. Research Treatment and Education Limited 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.

b) Going concern basis of accounting

The accounts have been prepared on the assumption that the charity is able to continue as a going concern which the trustees consider appropriate as on 4 November 2024 its assets and activities were transferred in full to Multiple Sclerosis Trust; a registered charity no. 1088353 and a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales no. 4247766. The charity will remain open for the collection of notified legacies.

c) Income

Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the items of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Income from the government and other grants, whether 'capital' grants or 'revenue' grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.

For legacies, entitlement is taken as the earlier of the date on which either: the charity is aware that probate has been granted, the estate has been finalised and notification has been made by the executors to the Trust that a distribution will be made, or when a distribution is received from the estate. Receipt of a legacy, in whole or in part, is only considered probably when the amount can be measured reliably and the charity has been notified of the executor's intention to make a distribution. Where legacies have been notified to the charity, or the charity is aware of the granting of probate, and the criteria for income recognition have been met, then the legacy is treated as a contingent asset and disclosed if material.

8

M. S. Research Treatment and Education Limited

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

1. Accounting policies (continued)

d) Donated services and facilities

On receipt, donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt.

e) Interest receivable

f) Funds accounting

Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of the charity. Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose. Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the charity's work or for specific projects being undertaken by the charity.

g) Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.

h) Allocation of support costs

Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Governance costs are the costs associated with the governance arrangements of the charity, including the costs of complying with constitutional and statutory requirements and any costs associated with the strategic management of the charity’s activities. These costs have been allocated between cost of raising funds and expenditure on charitable activities on the following basis, being the respective proportion of total costs:

2024 2023
Raising funds 12% 29%
Charitable activities 88% 71%

9

M. S. Research Treatment and Education Limited

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

1. Accounting policies (continued)

i) Grants payable

Grants which have been authorised and paid are included as expenditure in the Statement of Financial Activities. Grants which have been authorised but not yet paid are accrued in the balance sheet and are included within creditors falling due within one year or after one year (as appropriate).

j) Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write down the cost of each asset to its estimated residual value over its expected useful life. The depreciation rates in use are as follows: Computer equipment 4 years

Items of equipment are capitalised where the purchase price exceeds £1,000.

k) Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

l) Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

m) Creditors

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

n) Pension costs

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for its employees. There are no further liabilities other than that already recognised in the SOFA.

o) Accounting estimates and key judgements

In the application of the charity's accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and underlying assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.

There are no key sources of estimation uncertainty that have a significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements.

10

M. S. Research Treatment and Education Limited

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

2. Income from donations and legacies

Donations from online platforms
Donations from purchasing partners
Regular donations
One-off donations
Legacies
In memoriam
Total income from donations and legacies
2024
Total
£
499
625
11,199
17,538
156,638
-
186,499
2023
Total
£
6,721
130
11,331
12,803
180,156
9,470
220,611

Income from donations and legacies in both the current and prior period was fully unrestricted.

3. Government grants

The charity received no government grants in the current or prior period.

4. Total expenditure

Grants payable (note 5)
Staff costs (note 8)
Online platform fees
Fundraising event costs
Premises costs
Office running costs
Accountancy
Bank charges
Travel and subsistence
Depreciation
Legal and professional
Sub-total
Allocation of support and governance costs
Total expenditure
Raising
funds
£
-
8,786
72
477
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
9,335
7,642
16,977
Charitable
activities
£
£
50,629
-
18,816
21,173
-
-
-
-
-
10,967
-
11,375
-
3,480
-
143
713
-
-
-
-
17,937
70,158
65,075
57,433
(65,075)
127,591
-
Support and
governance
costs
2024
Total
£
50,629
48,775
72
477
10,967
11,375
3,480
143
713
-
17,937
144,568
-
144,568

Total governance costs in the period were £20,952 (2023: £2,676).

11

M. S. Research Treatment and Education Limited

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

4.
Total expenditure (continued)
Prior period comparative
Raising
funds
£
£
£
Grants payable (note 5)
-
6,642
-
Staff costs (note 8)
8,271
16,331
19,920
Online platform fees
324
-
-
Fundraising event costs
925
-
-
Premises costs
-
-
10,135
Office running costs
-
-
9,184
Accountancy
-
-
3,440
Bank charges
-
-
264
Travel and subsistence
-
185
-
Depreciation
-
-
304
Sub-total
9,520
23,158
43,247
Allocation of support and governance costs
12,585
30,662
(43,247)
Total expenditure
22,105
53,820
-
5.
Grants payable
Grants made during the year were as follows:
2024
£
Grants to organisations:
University of Bournemouth
50,629
North Bristol NHS
-
Grants to individuals:
In 2023 research and education grants were made to 1 individual
-
50,629
6.
Grant commitments
2024
£
Grants payable:
Grant commitments brought forward
-
Grants committed to during the period
50,629
Grants paid during the period
(50,629)
Grant commitments carried forward
-
Support and
governance
costs
Charitable
activities
2023
Total
£
6,642
44,522
324
925
10,135
9,184
3,440
264
185
304
75,925
-
75,925
2023
£
-
5,452
1,190
6,642
2023
£
878
6,642
(7,520)
-

12

M. S. Research Treatment and Education Limited

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

7. Net movement in funds

This is stated after charging:

Depreciation
Operating lease payments
Trustees' remuneration
Trustees' reimbursed expenses
Independent examiner's remuneration (excluding VAT)
2024
£
Nil
9,511
Nil
375
2,300
2023
£
305
9,511
Nil
36
2,200

Trustees reimbursed expenses relate to travel costs to attend trustee meetings for 3 trustees during the year (2023: 1)

8. Staff costs and numbers

Staff costs were as follows:

Salaries and wages
Pension costs
2024
£
47,555
1,219
48,774
2023
£
43,352
1,170
44,522

No employee earned more than £60,000 during the current or prior year.

The key management personnel of the charitable company comprise the trustees and Fund Development Manager. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel were £30,460 (2023: £28,464).

Average head count 2024
No.
4
2023
No.
3

9. Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax as all its income is charitable and is applied for charitable purposes.

13

M. S. Research Treatment and Education Limited

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

10. Tangible fixed assets

Cost
At 1 April 2023
Disposals
At 31 March 2024
Depreciation
At 1 April 2023
On disposals
At 31 March 2024
Net book value
At 31 March 2024
At 31 March 2023
11. Debtors
Prepayments
Accrued income
Other debtors
12. Creditors : amounts due within 1 year
Trade creditors
Grants payable (note 6)
Accruals
Pension
£
£
1,219
1,705
(1,219)
(1,705)
-
-
1,219
1,705
(1,219)
(1,705)
-
-
-
-
-
-
2024
£
493
-
3,444
3,937
2024
£
5,407
-
4,185
195
9,787
Computer
equipment
Fixtures and
fittings
Total
£
2,924
(2,924)
-
2,924
(2,924)
-
-
-
2023
£
1,179
14,485
1,173
16,837
2023
£
1,071
-
3,417
209
4,697

14

M. S. Research Treatment and Education Limited

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

13. Analysis of net assets between funds

Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Net assets at 31 March 2024
Prior year comparative
Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Net assets at 31 March 2023
£
-
500
-
500
£
-
500
-
500
Restricted
funds
Restricted
funds
£
-
-
-
-
£
-
79,000
-
79,000
Designated
funds
Designated
funds
£
-
1,105,349
(9,787)
1,095,562
£
-
976,865
(4,697)
972,168
General
funds
General
funds
Total
funds
£
-
1,105,849
(9,787)
1,096,062
Total
funds
£
-
1,056,365
(4,697)
1,051,668

15

M. S. Research Treatment and Education Limited

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

14. Movements in funds

Restricted funds
British Science Week Grant
Total restricted funds
Designated funds:
Contingency fund
Future projects & growth
Total designated funds
General funds
Total unrestricted funds
Total funds
Unrestricted funds
At 1 April
2023
£
500
500
65,000
14,000
79,000
972,168
1,051,168
1,051,668
Income
£
-
-
-
-
-
188,962
188,962
188,962
£
-
-
-
-
-
(144,568)
(144,568)
(144,568)
Expenditure
Transfers
between
funds
£
£
-
500
-
500
(65,000)
-
(14,000)
-
(79,000)
-
79,000
1,095,562
-
1,095,562
-
1,096,062
At 31 March
2024

Purposes of restricted funds British Science Week To fully fund a Digesting Science event to educate children and families Grant who are directly affected by a family member living with MS.

The Hollister To fully fund or contribute to medical research to benefit those living Research Fund with MS.

Purposes of designated funds

Contingency fund

Represents money held in a reserve account in case of an unexpected shortfall between income and expenditure in future years.

Future projects & growth Represents funds set aside for future projects and charity growth.

Purposes of transfers

The contingency and future projects funds have been transferred to general funds ahead of the merger with MS Trust.

16

M. S. Research Treatment and Education Limited

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

14. Movements in funds (continued) Prior period comparative

Prior period comparative
Restricted funds
British Science Week Grant
The Hollister Research Fund
Total restricted funds
Designated funds:
Contingency fund
Future projects & growth
Total designated funds
General funds
Total unrestricted funds
Total funds
Unrestricted funds
At 1 April
2022
£
500
10,000
10,500
65,000
14,000
79,000
816,068
895,068
905,568
Income
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
222,025
222,025
222,025
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
(75,925)
(75,925)
(75,925)
Expenditure
Transfers
between
funds
£
£
-
500
(10,000)
-
(10,000)
500
-
65,000
-
14,000
-
79,000
10,000
972,168
10,000
1,051,168
-
1,051,668
At 31 March
2023

15. Operating lease commitments

The charity had operating leases at the year end with total future minimum lease payments as follows:

Amount falling due:
Within 1 year
Within 1 - 5 years
2024
£
2,378
-
2,378
2023
£
9,474
-
9,474

16. Related party transactions

There were no related party transactions during the current or prior period.

17. Post balance sheet events

As outlined in the trustees' annual report, M. S. Research Treatment and Education Limited transferred all of its assets and activities to MS Trust on 4 November 2024.

Multiple Sclerosis Trust (“MS Trust”), is a registered charity no. 1088353 and a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales no. 4247766,

17