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← The Countess Charity

2025-03-31-accounts

THE COUNTESS CHARITY 1050015

ANNUAL REPORT

AND

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

for the year ended 31st March 2025

Cover

The Countess Charity

Contents

Details Page
Foreword 1
Administrative Information 1
Who we are 2
Charitable Funds Committee 3
How our activities deliver public benefit 4
Our Objects 5
Achievements and Performance 6-7
Our Future Plans 7
Financial Review 8-9
Financial Policies 10
Statement of Trustee's Responsibilities 11
Independent Examiner's Report 12
Statement of Financial Activities 13
Balance Sheet 14
Cashflow 15
Accounting Policies 16-20
Prior year comparatives by type of Fund - Unrestricted Funds 21
Prior year comparatives by type of Fund - Restricted Funds 22
Notes to the Accounts 23-28
Fund Statements and Objectives 29-30

Contents

The Countess Charity TRUSTEE'S ANNUAL REPORT FOREWORD

Welcome to our Annual Report for 2024-25. The Corporate Trustee presents the Charitable Funds Annual Report together with the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025.

The Charity's Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 have been prepared by the Corporate Trustee in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2005. The Charity's report and accounts include all the individual funds registered as Designated Funds and Restricted Funds which are used to further the objectives of the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. They do not by themselves constitute charities for accounts purposes and do not need to be separately registered.

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

The Countess Charity, registered Charity Number 1050015 was created under Trust Deed executed on 19 April 1995 in accordance with the Charities Act 1993.

On the 25th July 2017, a supplemental Deed of declaration was made to amend the Charity's name in line with a programme of rebranding. The charity's name was amended from 'The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Charitable Funds' to 'The Countess Charity'.

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is the Corporate Trustee of the Charitable Funds. The role of Corporate Trustee is therefore carried out by the Board of Directors of the Foundation Trust, the Board being appointed in accordance with the Constitution of the Foundation Trust.

The members of the NHS Foundation Trust Board who served during the financial year were:

----- Start of picture text -----
Executive Directors
Jane Tomkinson OBE Chief Executive Officer From 1st February 2024
Karen Edge Chief Finance Officer From 19th February 2024
Dr Nigel Scawn Executive Medical Director From 1st September 2022
Cathy Chadwick Chief Operating Officer From 29th March 2022
Mark Dale Acting Chief People Officer From 1st January 2024 to 19th May 2024
Debbie Herring Interim Chief People Officer From 1st May 2024 to 31st December 2024
Vicki Wilson Chief People Officer Acting from 1st January 2025, appointed substantively 1st July 2025
Sue Pemberton Director of Nursing & Quality / Deputy From 1st February 2024
Chief Executive Officer
Jonathan Develing Director of Strategic Partnerships From 1st April 2024
Karan Wheatcroft Director of Governance, Risk and From 10th June 2024
Improvement
Non-Executive Directors
Appointed for a three-year term of office from 1st September 2021.
Ian Haythornthwaite Chair Resigned 14th February 2025
Neil Large Chair Interim Chair from 1st March 2025, appointed as Chair 1st July 2025
Non-Executive Director (Senior
Independent Director from 9th February
Michael Guymer 2024) Appointed for a three-year term of office from 1st October 2021.
Appointed for a three-year term of office from 1st March 2020 and
reappointed for a further three-year term of office from 1st March 2023.
Paul Jones Non-Executive Director & Deputy Chair Appointed as Deputy Chair from 9th February 2024.
Appointed as Associate Non-Executive Director for a three-year term of
office from 1st October 2021, then appointed as Non-Executive Director
for a three-year term of office from 1st March 2022. Appointed for a
Pamela Williams Non-Executive Director second 3-year term from 1st March 2025
Appointed for a three-year term of office from 1st November 2019 and
reappointed for a further three-year term of office from 1st November
David Williamson Non-Executive Director 2022.
Prof. Andrew Hassell Non-Executive Director Appointed for a three-year terms of office from 21st January 2024
Wendy Williams Non-Executive Director Appointed for a three-year terms of office from 21st January 2024
Sarah Corcoran Non-Executive Director Appointed for a three-year terms of office from 21st January 2024
----- End of picture text -----

The members of the Charitable Funds Committee who served during the financial year were as follows:

Paul Jones Non-Executive Director (Committee Chair)
Ian Haythornthwaite Chair
Jane Tomkinson OBE Chief Executive Officer
Karen Edge Chief Finance Officer
Dr Nigel Scawn Executive Medical Director

A statement of eligibility to Act as a Trustee is signed by members of the Board of Directors.

Appointment of Corporate Trustee, Induction and Training

The Countess of Chester NHS Hospital Foundation Trust has an Induction Policy for all staff, which is delivered at two levels. Corporate, providing Trust wide information, and local, providing the detail for their department and individual role.

Newly appointed members of the NHS Foundation Trust Board are also given additional information about their responsibilities as the Corporate Trustee which includes the Charity Commission booklet CC3 - Responsibilities of Charity Trustees.

Financial Awareness Training for Charitable Funds provides ongoing training for members of the Corporate Trustee and for Fund signatories.

1

The Countess Charity TRUSTEE'S ANNUAL REPORT WHO WE ARE

The Trust employs over 5,000 staff and provides acute emergency and elective services, primary care direct access services and obstetric services to a population of approximately 264,000 residents mainly in Chester and the surrounding rural area. More than 500,000 patients attend the hospital for treatment every year, ranging from a simple outpatient appointment to major surgery.

The Countess Charity exists to raise funds and receive donations for the benefit of the patients of the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. By securing donations, legacies and sponsorship the Charity can make a real difference to the experience of patients and their families and the staff who look after them.

The Countess of Chester NHS Foundation Trust comprises the Countess of Chester Hospital, a 600 bed hospital providing the full range of acute and a number of specialist services, and also Ellesmere Port Hospital, a rehabilitation, intermediate care and outpatient facility.

Principal Office

Investment Fund Managers

The principal office for the charity is: M & G Charities Executive Office PO Box 9038 The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Chelmsford Countess of Chester Health Park CM99 2XF Liverpool Road Chester CH2 1UL

Bankers:

Lloyds Bank Plc Chester Branch 8 Foregate Street Chester CH1 1XP

Independent Examiners:

Xeinadin North West Limited First Floor, The Foundation Chester Business Park Chester CH4 9GB

2

The Countess Charity TRUSTEE'S ANNUAL REPORT Charitable Funds Committee

The Charitable Funds Committee has the delegated responsibility from the Board of ensuring that the Funds held on Trust are managed in accordance with the Corporate Governance Manual, and according to Charity Commission regulations.

Governance

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Board approves the Corporate Governance Manual which comprises the documents for the regulation and proceedings of business. These include:

These documents set the framework within which all Directors and employees of the Trust must operate. These documents apply equally to the Trust's Charitable Funds as to the Foundation Trust. The Board considers that these arrangements ensure that the activities of the Charity are considered and applied in accordance with the strategic and operational objectives of the Corporate Trustee, thus ensuring that the same consistency and openness is applied to all the Trust's funds.

The NHS Foundation Trust Board has devolved responsibility for the on-going management of funds to the Charitable Funds Committee which administers the Funds on behalf of the Corporate Trustee. This Committee has specific terms of reference approved by the Trust Board and the membership comprises the Chair and nominated Executive and Non-Executive Directors of the Trust.

During the Financial Year, the Charitable Funds Committee usually meets on a quarterly basis to monitor the overall appropriateness of expenditure from the funds. The minutes of these meetings are submitted to a full Trust Board.

The Chief Finance Officer is the Executive Director nominated by the Board to have prime responsibility for the administration of the Trust's Charitable Fund activities. All expenditure over £10,000 is reported to the Charitable Funds Committee.

Acting for the Corporate Trustee, the Charitable Funds Committee is responsible for the overall management of the Charitable Funds. The committee is required to:

The Foundation Trust Finance Department, located at the Principal Office maintains the application process, records all financial transactions and provides a management information service to Fund signatories. The financial records are kept on the main Foundation Trust financial system and Fund signatories receive quarterly fund statements.

The Corporate Trustee fulfils its legal duty by ensuring that funds are spent in accordance with the objects of each fund and by designating funds the Trustee respects the wishes of our generous donors to benefit patient care and advance the good health and welfare of patients, carers and staff. Where funds have been received which have specific restrictions set by the donors a restricted fund has been established. Further details of funds can be found on pages 29 and 30.

3

The Countess Charity TRUSTEE'S ANNUAL REPORT

How our activities deliver public benefit

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is the main beneficiary of the charity and is a related party by virtue of being Corporate Trustee of the charity. By working in partnership with the Trust, the charitable funds are used to best effect for the benefit of the public served by the Trust. When deciding upon the most beneficial way to use charitable funds, the Corporate Trustee has regard to the main objectives, strategies and plans of the Trust, whilst ensuring that the grants reflect the wishes of patients and staff.

At the core of every charity is the requirement to provide benefit to the public. This is the foundation of their charitable status, and each charity must demonstrate how this requirement is met through their aims and activities.

The focus of our activities as described below are to benefit the public who utilise the services of the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. This hospital mainly serves the community of Chester and its surrounding rural areas, all of which have equal access to its facilities. Charitable expenditure is made by way of direct grants to the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to enhance the patient care already provided.

The Trustee refers to Charity Commission guidance on achieving public benefit when reviewing the aims and objectives of the charity, and in the planning of future activities.

During the year the funds continued to provide a wide range of charitable and health related activities to benefit patients, staff and the wider community. Funds are generally used to purchase a range of additional goods and services over and above the NHS provision. This includes medical and other equipment, furniture and fittings to enhance the patient environment.

In addition to the designated funds on page 30, each ward has their own staff and patient charitable funds, and donations are made specifically to the wards that the donors would like to acknowledge. The funds can then be used for charitable activities to benefit the staff and patients on that ward, including investing in staff to attend courses to help update them on new techniques and developments in their individual specialties.

The Fundraising team work to support their main appeal as well as other smaller fundraising projects during the year. The appeals have continued to attract support from individuals, families, companies and members of staff who have offered us their support in a range of inspiring and innovative ways. We have continued to promote the charity within the hospital to staff, patients and visitors using the fundraising noticeboard, and are engaging with new staff through involvement in the staff induction courses.

How we manage the Money Our Grant Making Policy

The Countess Charity makes grants from both its unrestricted and restricted funds

General Funds - These funds are received with no particular preference expressed by donors. These funds are utilised when applications are made by the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust for monies to be spent on charitable expenditure which will enhance the patient experience.

Designated (earmarked) Funds - contain donations where the donor expressed a wish that the funds be used within a certain department or specialty without any further constraints. Their nomination of an individual fund is not binding on the Trustee and the designated funds are overseen by fund holders who can made recommendations on how best to spend the money in their specialty.

4

The Countess Charity TRUSTEE'S ANNUAL REPORT OUR OBJECTS

Governing Document

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Trust gained Foundation Trust status in April 2004 following the official passing through Parliament of the relevant statutory instrument. Prior to the creation of the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Trust, Chester Health Authority administered the various charitable funds as part of a pooling arrangement under the provision of the NHS Act 1973. The charitable monies were transferred to the Trust by Statutory Instrument 1994 No. 1301 which came into effect on 9th June 1994. The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is legally recognised by the Charity Commission as Sole Corporate Trustee for all its funds held for the benefit of staff and patients. It is empowered to hold and administer funds for Charitable Health purposes within the scope for the National Health Service Act 2006.

Mission Statement

The Charity aims to use the charitable income it receives to enhance and improve the patient experience at our hospital, focusing on areas not covered or fully supported by NHS funds. The charity aims to generate income for general purposes and specific projects, and administers all donations in a manner that is both professional and sensitive to the needs of the donor.

The charity has NHS wide objectives as follows:

"The Trustees shall hold the Trust Fund upon trust to apply the income, and at their discretion, so far as may be permissible, the capital for charitable purposes relating to the general or any specific purposes of the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust or to purposes relating to the health service"

By raising new funds and careful management of our existing funds, the Countess Charity is able to make grants to the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and to the benefit of the wider health service.

Grants are made in accordance with charity law, our fund constitution and the wishes and directions of donors. In making grants, we endeavour to reflect the wishes of patients and staff in spending the funds where they feel the money would be best spent.

Objectives

The charity has income from three different areas

  1. Donations received often as a result of care given

  2. Active fundraising for a “smaller” appeal

  3. Income generated for a “large or major appeal”

Unsolicited donations are targeted at an area of care at the wish of the donor. The fund holder for that area is informed and decisions are taken clinically as to the best way of using the donation. These are usually smaller donations.

The decisions on utilisation of a larger donation such as a legacy would also be the decision of the fund holder

with Executive level support.

When seeking to solicit and proactively raise funds for a specific project, the agreed strategy is to consider the various methods of fundraising and then decide upon the most appropriate way of securing funding based on the requirements of each individual project. These methods include: community fundraising, event organisation, grant applications, trust fundraising, corporate fundraising, social media campaigns and direct donor mailings.

For larger or 'major' appeals, the charity sets up a Fundraising Committee incorporating members of the fundraising team, clinical staff, plus internal and external volunteers. The Committees are usually chaired by an external volunteer who is often a high profile member of the business community, whenever possible with a personal involvement in the cause. The committee monitors the fundraising progress and uses its contacts to support the work of the team and organises personal events.

5

The Countess Charity TRUSTEE'S ANNUAL REPORT

Achievements and Performance Highlights of 2024-25

April 2024 The first event of the financial year held for the new Retinal Scanner Appeal was the much loved Chester Duck Race in April 2024 which reached a record number of 101 Corporate ducks and a huge increase in attendance from the community, the lord Mayor Razia Daniels judged the competition, many schools were involved along with the local ladies Rock Choir, an amazing £31,000 was raised.

Our continued relationship with the Chester Lions enabled x 4 much coveted places for the 2024 London Marathon which resulted in over £10,000 being raised for the Blue Skies Balcony Appeal and the Retinal Scanner Appeal, the charity also had x 16 places in the Chester Half marathon, one of which was taken by our very own CEO Jane Tomkinson.

The Countess Charity was able to provide funding from Legacies left to the charity for a newly constructed Staff Wellbeing hub. The hub was opened by local celebrity Ian Puleston Davies. This new hub will provide an area for staff to access a variety of health benefits to assist in their wellbeing. Statistics show a higher than anticipated footfall to the hub which shows just how important this facility is for our staff.

As members of the NHS Charities together the charity was also able to further their relationship with Octopus Legacy, this enabled us to role out a Free Will making service to our staff and local community. Records show that over 100 staff and local community have now written their Free Will, seven of which have left a Legacy to the Countess Charity.

The Bereavement booklet that the trust provides to families experiencing loss was revised, the charity is now providing a reviewed and updated, more aesthetically improved booklet

During the first 6 months of 2024 the charitable committee invited a Consultancy in to evaluate and advise the charity on their future, (the cost for this was covered by a grant applied for to NHS Charities Together) The consultancy delivered an informative a structured report suggesting three options for the charity to move forward, the Charitable Funds Committee opted for a blend of options one and two, moderate to significant growth, (option 3 was Maximum growth) this was chosen due to the current cost of living crisis and the size of the fundraising team (4 people) . The charities aim for the forthcoming year is to complete the Optus Retinal Scanner appeal which will then lead to the launch of a 4-year plan, Year 1- completing the Retinal Scanner appeal target and gathering information for the next appeal, year 2 & Year 3- Launch of new appeal and Year 4 creation and launch of a new Million pound appeal, the 4 year plan will see further funds being raised to provide More for our patients.

During Summer 2024 the charity supported many Individual Fundraising events alongside the charity’s own staple events of Raffles held in the main corridor, Boots VIP evenings and online auctions. We have facilitated x 10 successful Skydives, signed up x 3 Camino de Santiago Treks and x 5 Shark dives at Blue Planet Aquarium.

6

The Countess Charity TRUSTEE'S ANNUAL REPORT

Achievements and Performance Highlights of 2024-25 (cont.)

A charity walk was held by the Chester Business club where many NHS Staff teams signed up, walked and raised funds for their chosen area within the hospital. The retinal scanner appeal benefitted from Play write Gail Youngs production of Cheshire cats held at St Marys Creative space, The Eye unit staff took on a Snowden hike challenge were 7 staff scaled Snowden.

The charity’s 5th Lunch in the city event at the Old Palace Hotel was a great success in aid of the retinal scanner appeal with speakers from the Ophthalmology department.

The charity’s annual Tress of Light ceremony was sadly cancelled in 2024 due to storm Darra, donations collected for this event benefitted the hospitals bereavement service by way of funding a book ‘Oscars Story’ which is aimed at answering the questions that siblings may have when there has been baby loss in a family, funding was also made available for the provision of new furniture for the counselling service offered to families experiencing loss.

The annual Sporting lunch held at Crowne Plaza was well attended with guest speaker footballer Sammy Lee along with a comedian, the proceeds from this event benefited the Retinal Scanner appeal. The annual Santa Dash celebrated its 14th year and welcomed over 2200 participants dashing through the streets of Chester raising vital funds for the charity.

The charity also invested in contactless giving stations, funding was provided by a NHSCT grant, keeping up with current giving trends will enable the charity to maintain donations as we move into a less cash motivated climate.

In March it was announced that the Charity had reached the set fundraising target of £200,000 for the Retinal Scanner, this state-of-the-art piece of equipment which is over and above NHS Core provision will benefit the 40,000 patients that are seen each year in the Westminster Eye Unit.

Blue Skies Balcony building began and we are hoping to move patients onto the balcony facility late 2025.

7

The Countess Charity TRUSTEE'S ANNUAL REPORT FINANCIAL REVIEW

Money Received: Sources of Funds

The statement of financial activities shows the total income for the year was £664,000. This is split into five main sources of income:

During 2024-25, fundraising income was relatively stable and donations saw a boost from the launch of the new Retinal Eye Scanner Appeal. While the income from legacies was lower than the prior year, the charity received a higher level of income through grants. Increased interest rates during the year also generated higher levels of investment income (shown under the heading 'Other').

8

The Countess Charity TRUSTEE'S ANNUAL REPORT

FINANCIAL REVIEW

A Review of our Finances and Performance

The net assets of the Charitable Funds as at 31st March 2025 were £1,919,000 (2023/24 £1,676,000), an increase of £243,000 during the financial year.

Total incoming resources this year amounted to £664,000 (2023/24 £630,000). Donations and income from fundraising events were broadly in line with the previous year. The Retinal Eye Scanner Appeal was launched in 2023 and is raising funds to purchase an advanced retinal imaging scanner for the Westminster Eye Unit. The Appeal received income of £201,000 in 2024/25.

Of the total expenditure of £442,000 (2023/24 £730,000), expenditure on charitable activities was £234,000 (2023/24 £556,000) and expenditure on raising funds was £208,000 (2023/24 £174,000).

Performance of Investments

Since July 2003, The Countess Charity has invested with M&G's Charities Investment Managers Ltd in a unit trust fund called Charifund. This is designed to provide a high and growing income for charities, whilst at the same time protecting their capital from the erosive effect of inflation. The investment remains for the long term, and does not have a maturity date. Investment income received from M&G was £32,000 (2023/24 £32,000) before deducting management fees.

The gain in the valuation of our unrealised investments with M&G was £21,000 (2023/24 loss of £10,000).

In addition to the long term investments, short term deposits are invested with nominated Commercial Banks. The investment income received from this amounted to £108,000 (2023/24 £110,000).

Purchase of new equipment, new building and refurbishment

This year saw a number of pieces of equipment being purchased through the charitable funds. The total spent on additional medical equipment for the Trust was £84,000 (2023/24 £413,000) while spend on furniture and fittings was £14,000 (2023/24 £35,000). During the year, spend on computer equipment via the charity amounted to £7,000 (2023/24 nil).

Staff Education and Welfare

Each ward has its own staff amenities fund. Donations made specifically to these funds are then utilised for the benefit of the staff. During the year, £31,000 (2023/24 £21,000) was spent on direct staff amenities. These funds also enable consultants and staff to attend additional courses not funded by the NHS, which allows them to keep up to date on modern techniques and developments in their individual specialties. A total of £2,000 (2023/24 £9,000) was spent on staff attending external training courses. These figures are shown in the accounts within grant funded activity.

Patient Education and Welfare

The total spend on direct patient welfare amounted to £20,000 (2023/24 £9,000). This expenditure includes the purchase of flowmeters, patient monitors, weighing scales and small gifts for those patients who were with us at Christmas.

9

The Countess Charity TRUSTEE'S ANNUAL REPORT

FINANCIAL POLICIES

Risk Management

The major risks to which the charity is exposed, as identified by the Corporate Trustee, have been reviewed and systems have been established to manage those risks. Due to the close relationship between the charity and the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust itself, the charity benefits from the risk and control framework in place at the Foundation Trust.

A specific Charitable Funds risk register categorises risks facing the charitable funds and considers the actions taken to mitigate the risk. The risk policy, and the risks and controls are reviewed by the Charitable Funds Committee every three years.

"Principal risks" are those risks which have a high likelihood of occurring and would, if they occurred, have a severe impact on operational performance, achievement of aims and objectives or could damage the reputation of the charity, changing the way the Trustee, supporters or beneficiaries might deal with the charity.

The Countess of Chester mitigates the principal risks by regularly engaging with the Fundraising Department to ensure a co-ordinated approach to raising funds.

Reserves Policy

The Trustee is under a legal duty to apply charity funds within a reasonable time of receiving them. In order to comply with this duty, the Trustee has developed a reserves policy to explain the level of reserves held and set out how they will be managed.

The reserves policy applies to unrestricted funds, and states that the level of reserves should be sufficient to:

Cover between one and three years administration, fund-raising and support costs; and

Therefore, the Trustee considers it prudent that the target range of unrestricted reserves is between £500,000 and £1,500,000 to ensure that the charity can run efficiently and meet the needs of its beneficiaries. The Balance Sheet shows that the unrestricted reserves of £820,000 at the end of the financial year are within the range required by the policy.

Restricted funds are excluded from this policy, in accordance with Charity Commission guidance, as they are subject to specific trusts and are not freely expendable at the discretion of the Trustee.

On an annual basis, the funds will be examined to ensure compliance with this reserves policy.

Investment powers and policy

The Trustee's investment powers are governed by the Trust Deed, which permits the charity's funds to be invested in any security listed on the Stock Exchange.

The Investment Policy's aim is to generate a steady income stream to maximise contribution towards the costs of central overheads, while protecting the real value of capital. The policy seeks to obtain the best financial return from the charity's investments, through investing consistently and with commercial prudence. The Trustee is duty bound to act with prudence, and shall not make speculative or hazardous investments. The Trustee should also ensure that there is adequate diversity of investment to minimise the risk of individual institutions performing poorly.

The Trustee should decline to invest in a particular company if its activities are directly contrary to the charitable purposes.

The charity's investments have continued to be managed in line with our Investment Policy and the Trust Deed. The Investment Policy is reviewed every three years.

The main aims of the Policy are:

The portfolio of Investments are monitored by the Charitable Funds Committee on a quarterly basis.

10

The Countess Charity TRUSTEE'S ANNUAL REPORT

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEE'S RESPONSIBILITIES IN RESPECT OF THE TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Under the trust deed of the charity and charity law, the Corporate Trustee is responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations. The trustees have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland.

The financial statements are required by law to give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the excess of income over expenditure for that period.

In preparing these financial statements, generally accepted accounting practice entails that the trustee:

• select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

• make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

• state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards and the Statement of Recommended Practice have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;

• state whether the financial statements comply with the trust deed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and

• prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.

The Trustee is required to act in accordance with the trust deed of the charity, within the framework of trust law. They are responsible for keeping proper accounting records, sufficient to disclose at any time, with reasonable accuracy, the financial position of the charity at that time, and to enable the trustee to ensure that, where any statements of accounts are prepared by them under section 132(1) of the Charities Act 2011, those statements of accounts comply with the requirements of regulations under that provision. They have general responsibility for taking such steps as are reasonably open to them to safeguard the assets of the charity and to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities.

By Order of the Corporate Trustee

Signed:

Chair

Neil Large

Chief Executive Officer

Jane Tomkinson OBE

11

The Countess Charity IfrIDEPENOENT EXAMINEWS REPORT TO THE TrUSTEES OF THE COUNTESS CHARITY I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Counte55 Charity (Charity No: 105m151 for the year ended 31" March 2025. which are set ¢xrt on pages 13 to 30. Responslbilltles and ba￿$ of repNt As the chartty trusteeS1 you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordarKe the Charities Act 20111.the Arfl. I report in respect of my examination of the Chart¢s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Art and in carrying out my examination. I havefollowed all the applicable direchons given bythe Charrty Commission under Section 14515llbl of the Act. Inde￿[MI￿nt examinerfs statement The charitys gross income exceeded Q50.CAX> and l am qualified to undertake the examination by being qualified member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. I have completed my examination. I can confimi that no material matters have come to my attention In connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe in, any material respect,- the accounting records were not kept in accordance wtth section 130 of the Act- or the accounts did not accord wtth the accounting record5- or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the forni and content of accounts set out in the Charitie5 IAccounts and Reports) Regulations 2CK)8 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'trtJe and fairf view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other wnatter5 in conrEction wtth the examinatiofi to which attention Should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper urMlet5tarKlirvd of the account5 to be reached. stephanie Baker ACA Xe•nadin North West limiied charter￿ Accountants Hrst Floor The Foundatlon Herons%vay Chester Business Par* CHESTER CH4 9GB t. October 2025 12

The Countess Charity

Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 March 2025

Note
Unrestricted
Funds
2024-25
£000
Incoming Resources
2
Income and endowments from:
Donations and Legacies
2.1
137
Income from trading activities
2.2
24
Investment income
2.5
80
Total incoming resources
241
Resources Expended
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
3.1
(45)
Charitable Activities:
Grant Funded Activity
3.2
(148)
Total expenditure
(193)
Net incoming/(outgoing) resources
48
Net gains/(losses) on investments
10
Net income/(expenditure)
58
Transfers between funds
2.3
-
Net movement in funds
58
Reconciliation of Funds
Total Funds brought forward
762
Fund balances carried forward
820		 Restricted
Funds
2024-25
£000
127
235
61
423
(163)
(86)
(249)
174
11
185
-
185
914
1,099		 Total
Funds
2024-25
£000
264
259
141
664
(208)
(234)
(442)
222
21
243
-
243
1,676
1,919		 Total
Funds
2023-24
£000
244
244
142
630
(174)
(556)
(730)
(100)
(10)
(110)
-
(110)
1,786
1,676

The notes on pages 16 to 30 form part of these financial statements. All income and expenditure is derived from continuing operations.

13

The Countess Charity

Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2025

Notes Total Funds at 31 Total Funds at 31
March 2025 March 2024
£000 £000
Fixed Assets
Investments 6.2 519 497
Total Fixed Assets 519 497
Current Assets
Debtors 7 30 54
Cash and cash equivalents 1,462 1,200
Total Current Assets 1,492 1,254
Liabilities
Creditors: Amounts falling due
within one year 10 92 75
Net Current Assets 1,400 1,179
Total Assets Less Current Liabilities 1,919 1,676
Funds of the Charity
Restricted Income Funds 1,099 914
Unrestricted Income Funds 820 762
Total Charity Funds 1,919 1,676

The notes at pages 16 to 30 form part of this account.

Approved by the Chair of the Board on 27th January 2026

Signed:

Neil Large

14

The Countess Charity

Cashflow
Note
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net Cash provided by (used in) operating activities
9
Cash flows from investing activities:
Interest from investments
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period		 Total
Funds
2024-25
£000
121
141
141
262
1,200
1,462		 Total
Funds
2023-24
£000
(215)
142
142
(73)
1,273
1,200

15

The Countess Charity

Notes to the Account

Accounting Policies

1.1 Basis of Preparation

The Financial Statements have been prepared under the historic cost convention, with the exception of investments which are included at market value at the Balance Sheet date. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charity’s governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practise 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)

The trust constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

The Trustee considers that there are no material uncertainties about the Countess Charity's ability to continue as a going concern.

In future years, the key risks to the Countess Charity are a fall in income from donations or investment income, but the Trustee has arrangements in place to mitigate those risks (see the risk management and reserves sections of the annual report for more information).

The financial statements are prepared in pound sterling (£).

16

The Countess Charity

1.3 Incoming Resources

Donations are recognised when the Charity has been notified in writing of both the amount and settlement date. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance before the charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charity and it is probable that those conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period.

b) Legacies

Legacies are accounted for as incoming resources on a case by case basis once the receipt of the legacy is probable.

Receipt is probable when:

c) Gifts in Kind

Gifts in kind, such as food and care packages are not accounted for when they are accepted and immediately distributed unless a donation is material. A donation is considered material if the individual items are valued at more than £20 each.

Gifts of tangible assets such as microwaves and coffee machines are recognised as a donation at fair value (market price) on receipt and charitable expenditure when they are distributed

Where gifts in kind are held before being distributed to beneficiaries, they are recognised at fair value as stock until they are distributed.

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The Countess Charity

1.4 a) Expenditure Recognition

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. All expenses including support costs and governance costs are allocated or apportioned to the applicable expenditure headings. For more information on this attribution, refer to note (b) below.

Grants payable are payments made to the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust which is classed as a related party, in furtherance of the charitable objectives of the funds held on trust. In the case of an unconditional grant offer this is accrued once the recipient has been notified of the grant award. The notification gives the recipient a reasonable expectation that they will receive the one-year or multi-year grant. Grant awards that are subject to the recipient fulfilling performance conditions are only accrued when the recipient has been notified of the grant and any remaining unfulfilled condition attaching to that grant is outside of the control of the Charity.

Provisions for grants are made when the intention to make a grant has been communicated to the recipient but there is uncertainty as to the timing of the grant or the amount of grant payable.

b) Allocation of Support and Governance Costs

Support costs have been allocated between governance costs and other support costs. Governance costs comprise all costs involving the public accountability of the charity and its compliance with regulation and good practice. These costs include costs related to statutory audit and legal fees.

Governance costs and support costs relating to charitable activities have been apportioned between costs of raising funds and expenditure on charitable activities on a proportional basis. The allocation of support and governance costs is analysed in note 3.3

c) Expenditure on Raising Funds

The costs of generating funds includes the direct costs associated with running fundraising events, staff salaries and office costs, investment management fees, and the support and governance costs associated with these activities. Further details are shown in note 3.1

d) Expenditure on Charitable Activities

Costs of charitable activities include grants made to the Countess of Chester NHS Foundation Trust to support the purchase of equipment, training and other activities as well as the support and governance costs associated with these activities. Further details are shown in note 3.2

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The Countess Charity

1.5 Irrecoverable VAT

Irrecoverable VAT is charged against the category of resources expended for which it was incurred.

1.6 Funds Structure

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by the donor.

Funds where the capital is held to generate income for charitable purposes and cannot itself be spent are accounted for as endowment funds. The Countess Charity has four funds which are classed as restricted, with a further eighteen funds having an element of their balance classed as restricted. This is due to funds receiving grants and legacies with associated restrictions. The charity has no endowment funds.

Unrestricted income funds comprise those funds which the Trustee is free to use for any purpose in furtherance of the charitable objects. Unrestricted funds include designated funds earmarked by Trustees, where the donor has made known their nonbinding wishes, as outlined explicitly on the donation receipt form.

Transfers between funds are approved by the Charitable Funds Committee in line with agreed expenditure procedures and in accordance with the Standing Financial Instructions.

Details of the funds are shown on page 30.

1.7 Fixed Asset Investments

Investments are a form of basic financial instrument. They are initially recognised at their transaction valued and are subsequently measured at their fair value (market value). The Statement of Financial Activities includes the net gains and losses arising on revaluation during the year.

The Investment Fund Units are included in the Balance Sheet at the closing valuation at 31 March 2025.

The main form of financial risk faced by the charity is that of volatility in equity markets and investment markets due to wider economic conditions, the attitude of investors to investment risk, and changes in sentiment concerning equities and within particular sectors or sub sectors.

1.8 Realised Gains and losses

All realised gains and losses are taken to the Statement of Financial Activities as they arise. Realised gains and losses on investments are calculated as the difference between sales proceeds and opening market value (or date of purchase if later). Unrealised gains and losses are calculated as the difference between market value at the year end and opening market value (or date of purchase if later).

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The Countess Charity

1.9 Tax

The Countess Charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 Finance Act 2010, and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable trust for UK income tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Part 10 income Tax Act 2007 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.

1.10 Debtors

Debtors are amounts owed to the charity. They are measured on the basis of their recoverable amount.

1.11 Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash at bank and in hand is held to meet the day to day running costs of the charity as they fall due. Cash equivalents are short term, highly liquid investments, usually in 90 day notice interest bearing savings accounts.

1.12 Creditors

Creditors are amounts owed by the charity. They are measured at the amount that the charity expects to have to pay to settle the debt.

Amounts which are owed in more than a year are shown as long term creditors.

1.13 Prior year comparatives by type of fund

The primary statements provide prior year comparatives in total, pages 21 and 22 provides prior period comparatives for the Statement of Financial Activities and the Balance Sheet for each of the two types of fund that the Countess Charity manages.

1.14 Related Party Transactions

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust body is the Corporate Trustee of the Countess Charity. The patients of which are the main beneficiaries of the charity.

The charity has made revenue and capital grant payments to the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

In 2023/24, the expenditure on charitable activities was £234,000 (2023/24: £556,000) of which £148,000 (2023/24: £279,000) was expenditure from unrestricted funds and £86,000 (2023/24: £277,000) was expenditure from restricted funds to the Corporate Trustee, the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

None of the Corporate Trustee members has undertaken any transactions with the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust or received any benefit from the charity in payment or kind.

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust makes a number of clerical transaction services available to the charity. These include:

Fundraising services and office costs of £153,000 (£150,000 in 2023/24) - see note 3.1 Administrative services at a cost of £25,000 (£28,000 in 2023/24) in support of the charity's grant making activities which are included within support costs - see note 3.3

The charity is able to utilise the finance system in place within the Trust to facilitate payments to suppliers and to record other amounts owing between the two organisations. The payments to suppliers are made by the Trust on behalf of the charity and they are subsequently reimbursed. The outstanding balance of £1,000 at 31st March 2025 is included on the balance sheet as a debtor - see note 7.

20

The Countess Charity

Prior year comparatives by type of Fund

Unrestricted Funds - Statement of Financial Activity for the year ended 31 March 2025

Incoming Resources
Income from:
Donations and legacies
Other trading activities
Investments
Total Incoming resources
Resources Expended
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
Charitable activities:
Grant Funded Activities
Total expenditure
Net incoming/(outgoing) resources
Net gains/(losses) on investments
Net income/(expenditure)
Transfers between funds
Net Movement in funds
Reconciliation of Funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
Unrestricted Funds - Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2025
Fixed Assets:
Investments
Total Fixed Assets
Current Assets:
Debtors
Cash and cash equivalents
Total Current Assets
Liabilities:
Creditors falling due within one year
Net Current asset/(liabilities)
Total Assets less Current Liabilities
Total Unrestricted Funds		 Unrestricted
Unrestricted
Funds
Funds
2024-25
2023-24
£000
£000
137
162
24
49
80
86
241
297
(45)
(60)
(148)
(279)
(193)
(339)
48
(42)
10
(5)
58
(47)
-
-
58
(47)
762
809
820
762
2024-25
2023-24
£000
£000
222
219
222
219
21
19
626
529
647
548
49
5
598
543
820
762
820
762

21

The Countess Charity

Prior year comparatives by type of Fund

Restricted Funds - Statement of Financial Activity for the year ended 31 March 2025

Incoming Resources
Income from:
Donations and legacies
Other trading activities
Investments
Total Incoming resources
Resources Expended
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
Charitable activities:
Grant Funded Activities
Total expenditure
Net incoming/(outgoing) resources
Net gains/(losses) on investments
Net income/(expenditure)
Transfers between funds
Net Movement in funds
Reconciliation of Funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
Restricted Funds - Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2025
Fixed Assets:
Investments
Total Fixed Assets
Current Assets:
Debtors
Cash and cash equivalents
Total Current Assets
Liabilities:
Creditors falling due within one year
Net Current asset/(liabilities)
Total Assets less Current Liabilities
Total Unrestricted Funds		 Restricted
Funds
2024-25
£000
127
235
61
423
(163)
(86)
(249)
174
11
185
-
185
914
1,099
2024-25
£000
297
297
9
836
845
43
802
1,099
1,099		 Restricted
Funds
2023-24
£000
82
195
56
333
(114)
(277)
(391)
(58)
(5)
(63)
-
(63)
977
914
2023-24
£000
278
278
35
671
706
70
636
914
914

22

The Countess Charity

2 Incoming Resources

2.1 Income from Donations and Legacies

Donations
Grants Received
Legacies		 Unrestricted
Funds
£000
125
-
12
137		 Restricted
Funds
£000
38
89
-
127		 Total
2024-25
£000
163
89
12
264		 Total
2023-24
£000
92
29
123
244

Donations from individuals are gifts from members of the public, relatives of patients and staff.

2.2 Other Trading Activities

Corporate Sponsorship
Total
Fundraising events		 Unrestricted
Funds
£000
24
-
24		 Restricted
Funds
£000
193
42
235		 Total
2024-25
£000
217
42
259		 Total
2023-24
£000
234
10
244

2.3 Transfers between Funds

A number of low value transfers occurred during the year and were the result of closing or merging small funds with other similar funds. All transfers related to unrestricted funds.

23

The Countess Charity

2.4 Role of Volunteers

Fund advisors - there are over 100 Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust staff who manage how the charity's designated funds should be spent. These funds are designated (or earmarked) by the Trustee to be spent for a particular purpose or in a particular ward or department. Each fund advisor has delegated powers to spend the designated funds that they manage in accordance with the Trustee wishes and in accordance with the fund purpose. All expenditure is approved by the Trust's finance department prior to commitment to ensure that the spend is in accordance with the governing documents and that the money is available in the fund.

Due to the varied nature of our work, we are able to incorporate the skills of many different volunteers into the fundraising department. We have recruited retired professionals as well as working with companies who allow staff volunteer days. This brings a wide mix of skills to the team and allows the core team to focus on fundraising activities.

We have volunteers who help enter donations on to the database and produce personalised thank you letters for the Head of Fundraising to check and sign. Volunteers also assist with administrative tasks such as processing Gift Aid claims and updating notice boards.

Other volunteer roles include selling raffle tickets and running tombolas both at the hospital and at external venues. Volunteers also help extensively with the annual Duck Race and Santa Dash.

All volunteers have a staff member as a point of contact and are aware of their responsibilities.

In accordance with the SORP, due to the absence of any reliable measurement basis, the contribution of these volunteers is not recognised in the accounts.

2.5 Investment Income

Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
Funds Funds 2024-25 2023-24
£000 £000 £000 £000
Short term investments and deposits
and cash on deposit 61 46 107 110
Unit Trust Fund Income 19 15 34 32
80 61 141 142

24

The Countess Charity

3 Resources Expended

3.1 Analysis of expenditure on raising funds

Fundraising Office
Fundraising events
Investment Management
Support costs
Total		 Unrestricted
Funds
Direct Costs
£000
42
1
2
0
45		 Restricted
Funds
Direct Costs
£000
111
47
1
4
163		 Total
2024-25
£000
153
48
3
4
208		 Total
2023-24
£000
150
21
2
1
174

3.2 Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities

Training
Equipment
Building
Other
Total		 Unrestricted
Funds
Grant Funded
Activity
£000
2
53
14
65
134		 Support
Costs
£000
0
5
2
7
14		 Restricted
Funds
Grant Funded
Activity
£000
0
53
1
25
79		 Support
Costs
£000
0
5
0
2
7		 Total
2024-25
£000
2
116
17
99
234		 Total
2023-24
£000
9
470
17
60
556

The Charity does not make grants to individuals. All grants are made to the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to provide for the care of NHS patients in furtherance of our charitable aims. The total cost of making grants including support costs, is disclosed on the face of the statement of financial activities and the actual funds spent on each category is disclosed in note 3.2.

All support costs are initially apportioned between restricted and unrestricted funds on an average balance basis, reflecting the charges allocated against the funds during the year. Support costs are subsequently apportioned to categories of expenditure based on the levels of expenditure for each category as a percentage of the overall expenditure.

3.3 Allocation of Governance and Support Costs

Allocated to:

Governance Costs:
Independent Examiners Fee
Management charge
Support Costs:
Financial Services
Total		 Raising
Funds
£000
0
0
4
4		 Charitable
Activities
£000
2
0
19
21		 Total
2024-25
£000
2
0
23
25		 Total
2023-24
£000
2
0
26
28

25

The Countess Charity

4 Analysis of Staff Costs

Salaries and wages
Social security costs
Employers pension contribution
Average monthly number of staff in the year:		 Total
2024-25
£000
106
10
15
131
3		 Total
2023-24
£000
112
10
15
137
3

No employees had emoluments in excess of £60,000 (2023/24 none) Staff costs relate to employees of the related party - the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

The Directors of the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust do not receive any remuneration or reimbursement of expenses from the Charity.

5 Independent Examiner

The independent examiner's fee of £2,400 (2023/24 £2,220) related solely to the examination with no other additional work undertaken.

26

The Countess Charity

6
Analysis of Fixed Asset Investments
6.1
Movement in Fixed Asset Investments:
Market value at 1 April
Unrealised gain/(loss) on revaluation
Market value at 31 March
Historic cost at 31 March
6.2 Market value:
Investments in a Common Investment
Fund		 Held in UK
£000
519
519		 31 March 2025
Total
£000
497
21
518
353
31 March 2025
Total
£000
519
519		 31 March 2024
Total
£000
507
(10)
497
353
31 March 2024
Total
£000
497
497

All investments are held at fair value.

All the Fixed Assets investments are held in a Common Investment Fund with M&G Investments. The main risk from these financial instruments lies in the combination of uncertain investment markets and volatility in yield. The main principle of the investment policy is to protect the real value of capital and generate a steady income stream to maximise contribution towards the costs of central overheads. The investments continue to grow at a steady rate whilst maintaining an increase in investment income year on year.

The investment is benchmarked on a regular basis and the impact of any economic uncertainty is monitored and reported to the Charitable Funds Committee.

6.3 Investment Management Costs

The investments in the M&G unit trust fund incurs an annual charge of 0.47% of the average balance of the funds held by them.

6.4 Analysis of Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash in hand
Notice deposits (less than 3 months)
Total Cash and Cash Equivalents		 31 March 2025
£000
1,462
0
1,462		 31 March 2024
£000
1,200
0
1,200

The notice deposits are sums held on interest bearing deposit fixed term deposits with the National Loans Fund.

No cash or cash equivalents or current asset investments were held in non-cash investments or outside of the UK.

All of the amounts held on interest bearing deposits are available to spend on charitable activities.

27

The Countess Charity

7 Analysis of Debtors

Analysis of Debtors
31 March 2025 31 March 2024
Amounts falling due within one year: £000 £000
Other Debtors 1 14
Accrued income 29 40
Total debtors falling due within one year 30 54

Other debtors represent sums owed at the year end to the charity by a related party, the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

8 Cash at Bank and in Hand 31 March 2025
31 March 2024
£000
£000		 31 March 2025
31 March 2024
£000
£000
Bank balances at 1 April 1,200
1,273
Net change in year 262
(73)
Cash and cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows at 31 March 1,462
1,200
9 31 March 2025
31 March 2024
£000
£000
Reconciliation of net income/(expenditure) to net cash flow from operating activities
Net income/(expenditure) as per the Statement of Financial Activities 243
(110)
Gains/losses on investments (21)
10
Dividends and interest from investments (141)
(142)
Decrease / (increase) in debtors 23
(20)
Increase / (decrease) in creditors 17
47
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 121
(215)
10 Analysis of Creditors
Amounts falling due within one year: 31 March 2025
31 March 2024
£000
£000
Accruals 57
75
Deferred Income 35
-
Total creditors falling due within one year 92
75

11 Contingent Asset

The charity had been notified of entitlement at the year-end to one bequest through a legacy. The value of the legacy cannot accurately be measured as the charity's interest is residuary and has not been recognised yet in the financial statements.

28

The Countess Charity

FUND STATEMENTS AND OBJECTIVES

TYPE OF FUND
General Purpose Fund
Restricted Funds
Designated Funds
Cumulative Unrealised (Loss)/Gain on investments		 31 Mar 2025
£
339,660
1,040,775
520,991
17,870
1,919,296		 31 Mar 2024
DETAILS
£
ON PAGE
330,476
29
866,774
29
481,827
30
(3,391)
1,675,686

The unrealised loss on investments has been allocated between restricted and unrestricted funds on a percentage of the total balance at the 31st March 2024 as shown on the Balance Sheet in Total Funds.

UNRESTRICTED GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS

Held by the Countess of Chester NHS Charitable Funds

The General Purpose Fund income is generally available for the benefit of patients, their families and staff.

Name of Fund
Purpose
Hospital Fund
General Purposes
Total Unrestricted General Purpose Funds
RESTRICTED FUNDS
Held by the Countess of Chester NHS Charitable Funds
Name of Fund
Purpose
Critical Care Unit
To benefit Critical Care including Staff & Patient Amenities
The Babygrow Appeal
To build and equip a new neonatal unit - surplus to 9091
Trees Of Life
To improve bereavement care
Small Appeal - Breast Scanner
Purchase of ultrasound scanner for the Breast Care Unit
Small Appeal - Memory Lane
Enhance Wards 50 & 51, which specialise in elderly care
Small Appeal - Cardiac Equipment
Fund purchase of cardiac equipment
Charities Together Fund
To utilise monies granted from Charities Together
Blue Skies Balcony Appeal
To fund the construction of a balcony for Intensive Care patients to access
Grant Fund
Receive legacies and administer grants from external grant-making bodies
Hospital Fund
General Purposes
Retinal Eye Scanner Appeal
Fund purchasing a retinal eye scanner. Residual balance to Ophthalmology
Patients Amenities
Benefit of patients at Countess of Chester Hospital
Women & Children Build Fund
Support the new Women & Children's building
Other restricted funds
Total Restricted Funds		 Fund
Balance
Bfwd
Income
Expenditure
Interfund
transfers
31 Mar 2024
£
£
£
£
330,476
73,596
(66,200)
1,788
330,476
Fund
Balance
Bfwd
Income
Expenditure
Interfund
transfers
31 Mar 2024
£
£
£
£
21,260
107,763
8,978
(9,676)
29,863
12,757
(12,766)
6,657
243
(258)
14,670
527
(3,319)
2,615
341
889
14,696
595
(15,291)
517,732
55,938
(50,643)
70,492
(437)
1,044
50,000
26,816
206,909
(87,898)
14,195
-
(14,195)
-
81,765
(50,927)
38,970
5,249
(4,780)
866,774		 Cumulative
Unrealised
Gains &
Losses
£
(15,966)
(15,966)
Cumulative
Unrealised
Gains &
Losses
£
1,191
6,000
1,673
372
665
215
-
29,311
3,926
2,861
8,172
-
1,728
2,212
58,326		 Fund
Balance
Cfwd
31 Mar 2025
£
323,694
323,694
Fund
Balance
Cfwd
31 Mar 2025
£
22,451
113,065
31,527
7,014
12,543
4,060
-
552,338
73,981
53,905
153,999
-
32,566
41,651
1,099,101

Restricted Funds

The restricted funds have arisen as they are appeals funds and therefore the donors have an expectation that the funds will be spent in the way advertised in the fundraising literature. Once the appeal targets have been reached the remaining funds will be unrestricted to enable the Trustees to utilise the funds in accordance with the objects of the charitable funds.

Restricted funds also arise when a legacy bequest is received, and the legator bequeaths the funds for a specific purpose. These funds are held as restricted funds until the legacy is fully expended.

In addition, the charity applies to grant making bodies for funding to purchase equipment or to support ongoing appeals. These grants are often restricted in nature and only allow us to use the funding in line with the application submitted to the grant making body. These grants are held as restricted until the funding is fully utilised

The Trustee set an opening or closing balance of £10,000 or above as the threshold for the separate reporting of material restricted funds.

29

The Countess Charity

DESIGNATED FUNDS

Held by the Countess of Chester NHS Charitable Funds

Name of Fund
Purpose
Chester Cardiac Fund
Support and improve cardio respiratory services. Staff amenities
Coronary Care Unit
Equipment & staff training
Breast Care Unit Fund
To benefit the unit including staff and patient amenities
Haematology and Oncology Fund
Benefit the haematology and oncology suite and staff & patient amenities
Neonatal Fund
Funds for the purpose of the neonatal unit. Staff amenities
Palliative Care
For the ongoing improvement including education and research
Patients Amenities
Benefit of patients at Countess of Chester Hospital
Renal Dialysis Unit Fund
Purchase of equipment for Dialysis Unit, Staff and Patient amenities
Staff Amenities
Benefit of staff at Countess of Chester Hospital
Chester Eye Fund
To benefit ophthalmic patients.
Stroke Area Fund
To upgrade ASAA e.g. purchase of equipment. To support staff training.
EPH General Fund
For the benefit of patients & staff amenities
Critical Care Fund
To benefit Critical Care including Staff & Patient Amenities
Other unrestricted funds
Total Unrestricted Funds		 Fund
Balance
Bfwd
Income
Expenditure
Interfund
transfers
31 Mar 2024
£
£
£
£
54,470
4,906
(4,935)
40,607
14,230
(4,321)
22,801
13,778
(6,443)
32,997
24,996
(4,003)
54,706
7,017
(6,929)
10,583
3,540
(7,880)
93,932
26,265
(13,539)
11,251
12,126
(16,828)
31,192
8,923
(5,446)
11,928
1,062
(8,030)
16,622
2,549
(14,879)
9,954
2,465
(1,973)
2,433
18,277
(3,143)
88,351
27,211
(28,044)
(1,788)
481,827		 Cumulative
Unrealised
Gains &
Losses
(2,559)
(2,375)
(1,417)
(2,523)
(2,576)
(293)
(4,953)
(308)
(1,634)
(233)
(202)
(499)
(826)
(4,092)
(24,490)		 Fund
Balance
Cfwd
31 Mar 2025
£
51,882
48,141
28,719
51,467
52,218
5,950
101,705
6,241
33,035
4,727
4,090
9,947
16,741
81,638
496,501

30