## **CHAIRMAN’S REPORT FOR THE YEAR TO 31 MARCH 2026** 

This year has seen strong growth in our fundraising with receipts exceeding £25,000 for the first time (excluding past legacies). Additional publicity, more events and new ways of donating, all contributed to broadening the Charity’s donor base and attracting over £14,000 worth of individual donations in excess of £500. We are very grateful to all our donors, who value the quality of service offered by the Surgery and, without whose generosity, we would be unable to fund the much needed medical equipment purchases and support. 

Operational payments reduced by 12% to £8,636. Equipment maintenance payments for the year decreased by 19% to £6,897 as a result of the timing of advance support payments on the three newly purchased portable ECG monitors. Other operational payments were in line with the previous year. 

The resulting increase in net operational receipts, from £2,144 last year to £16,748, has allowed the Charity to meet the year’s planned purchase payments of £5,613 for replacement equipment. The Charity has now met the targets for the first two years of its 24/29 Five Year Plan. Purchases for the year included a third portable 24 hours ECG monitor, a Doppler Probe and a Nobreath Feno device. 

The Charity appears to be turning a corner in its ability to raise funds. There is clearly a desire amongst the Surgery’s patients in its catchment area to contribute more towards the purchase of equipment which the NHS will not fund. Finding new donors who are willing and able to make significant donations must be the priority. 

In order to achieve this, the Charity is focussing on further opportunities to promote its cause, including a half-yearly newsletters in local parish magazines. It is also looking to grow its supporter base with a more interactive offering via its refreshed website. By making more people directly aware of the local benefits of the Charity and providing increasing opportunities for making donations will help the Charity to complete its Five Year Plan and continue to build its reserves for the future. 

This year has ended with the recruitment of three new trustees – Chris Marks, a retired professor and consultant surgeon; Jane Emsell, an established local volunteer; and Camilla Teden, who brings much needed knowledge of modern technology. 

After ten years in the chair, I have made the decision to stand down as chairman, but I will remain a trustee. I have greatly enjoyed chairing the Charity through some difficult times, not least the effects of the Surgery fire in 2019. I would like to thank my fellow trustees during the past decade for their much valued support and forbearance. 


Chairman 

Simon Inchbald 

20 May 2026