Annual Report 2025 Blackpool Polar Bears
Charity Objectives
To help people with learning and physical disabilities achieve their full potential and to promote their social inclusion through the provision of recreational and leisure facilities. In particular, access to water sports activities for individuals with disabilities, together with their families and carers, in the interests of social welfare and with the aim of improving their quality of life.
Governance and Management
The charity does not employ any staff. The constitution requires trustees to be elected at the AGM. The following individuaks were elected in March 2025.
Alan Morrison, Ann Foster, Lynda Inglis, Donna Davies, Donna Hollamby, Emma Inglis, Mel Joyce, Tracy Crook, Shantell Christie, Andrew Finlayson.
Membership 2025
Active swimmers – 83 child, 34 adult, =Total 117 Non Active swimmers – 10 child, 6 adult = Total 16 Volunteers – 30 Waiting list = 30
Financials
See accounts with this document. Significant donations over £100 Glasdon - £500 – used for new trophies Clifton Lodge - £400 – medals for special olympics gala Tithebarn Lodge - £200 – summer trip Clifton Lodge - £250 – summer trip Foxhall Lodge - £250 Mrs Stanley - £100
Galas 2025
At the following galas our swimmers came home with: Cheshire Penguins Special Olympics – 5 gold, 8 silver, 3 bronze, 2 fourth,
2 fifth, 3 sixth, 1 seventh, 1 eighth and 8 dqs. Club gala (25[th] anniversary) – 42 gold, 42 silver, 38 bronze Special Olympics, Blackpool – 15 gold, 20 silver, 15 bronze, 9 fourth, 6 fifth, 6 sixth, 1 seventh, 2 dqs and 4 speeding tickets
Special Olympics Yorkshire & Humberside – 19 gold, 13 silver, 9 bronze, 3 fourth, 2 fifth, 3 sixth, 3 seventh,1 dq and 2 speeding tickets. NASCH nationals – 5 gold, 4 silver, 5 bronze, 1 fourth.
Social Events
AGM attended by 121 members and guests
Sponsored Swim – 68 members swam and raised £2691 in total. Summer Trip – to Peak Wildlife Park where we met some real Polar Bears and 75 members and family had a great day out.
Awards
At the Active Blackpool Awards, Lynda Inglis received a “Highly Commended” for her 25 years service with the club.
Phoebe Stephens got a “Highly Commended” in the Young volunteer of the Year category.
Blackpool Polar Bears Summary of Accounts 2025 Description eneral O eratlons Membership /0 Membership Blackpool Council Pool Hire Special Olympics and NASCH Affiliations Staff Training Club Galas Income Expenditure £12,758.75 £520.00 £o.o £o.o £0.00 £0. £o.o £11,162.77 £1,383.35 £o.o Entry Fees and Medals Social Event5 AGM & Presentation Event Christmas Fundraisln Donations Football Cards, raffles & Misc Fundraising Sponsored Swim Merchandise Sales & Stock Purchases Admlnlstratlon Postage. Stationary l Mobile Phones Com etitions Blackpool Palatine Gala he5hire Penguins Gala NASCH Galas Summer Trl Peak Wildlife Park £149.00 £2,103.8 £976.(MJ £219. El,811.02 £2.081.79 & Donations £1.950.32 £375.50 £2,691.00 £o.o £5.96 £o.o £285.90 £29.07 £o.c(J £473.98 £2.073. £782. £420.00 £1.818.12 £720.0 £0. £1,700.00 El,676.8 OTAL £24,900.47 £23.266.7 Openin8 Balance OII0112025 Closing Balance 3111212025 £45,900.42 £47,534.14 Reserves Isklpton) Reserves Iskipton) 0110112026 £566.26 £0. £22,589.16