OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2025-03-31-accounts

Charity number: 1085775

CHRIS LUCAS TRUST

UNAUDITED

TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

CHRIS LUCAS TRUST

CONTENTS

Page
Reference and administrative details of the Charity, its Trustees and advisers 1
Trustees' report 2 - 5
Independent examiner's report 6
Statement of financial activities 7
Balance sheet 8
Notes to the financial statements 9 - 20

CHRIS LUCAS TRUST

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Trustees Mrs M A A Mackey Mr B Giles Mrs E Giles Mrs D Forster

Charity registered number 1085775 Principal office 95 Lancaster Drive Wallsend Tyne and Wear NE28 9TF Accountants Ryecroft Glenton 32 Portland Terrace Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 1QP Bankers Lloyds Bank Plc 69 Bedford Street North Shields Tyne and Wear NE29 0AU

Page 1

CHRIS LUCAS TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of the Charity for the year 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in the notes to the financial statements and comply with the charity’s governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and the relevant version of the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

Objectives and activities

Policies and objectives

The trust has been established to raise sufficient funds for scientific research: -

In setting objectives and planning for activities, the Trustees have given due consideration to general guidance published by the Charity Commission relating to public benefit, including the guidance 'Public benefit: running a charity (PB2)'.

Main activities undertaken to further the Charity's purposes for the public benefit

The Chris Lucas Trust aims to increase understanding of the difficulties faced by those families suffering through the effects of this particular type of cancer and related situations and problems, and to express the views of its sufferers to relevant agencies to help improve their day to day lives.

The charity provides funding to contribute to the employment of scientific researchers to carry out research into rhabdomyosarcoma and the publication of the results of such research.

Page 2

CHRIS LUCAS TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Achievements and performance

Main achievements of the Charity

Recently family members have increasingly begun to contact the charity for advice about second opinions of diagnosis and protocol of treatment for their children, since they want the best treatment for their children with a desired cure outcome. The charity needs to contact experts and gather information about various radiotherapy treatments not always available on the NHS.

After the charity was established in 2001, families were increasingly making regular contact with the charity asking for various types of advice and support. Children and young adults, and their parents, have to cope with all the day to day problems arising from this particular type of cancer; beginning at the point of diagnosis and continuing through treatment. Problems for the parents include financial problems, the acceptance of future outcomes concerning life expectancy of their children, and their struggle to return to the community after bereavement. These problems are experienced both in the North East and internationally.

Many people are turning to the Internet for counselling and find it to be an ideal way to discuss the death of their child, life’s challenges, personal concerns or emotional problems. Some people opt for ongoing counselling with a single counsellor, while others for a single session with a counsellor just for guidance on a specific matter. Online counselling is a rapidly growing means of communicating with professionals worldwide, via the internet by means of “live” chat or email.

The trust offers a unique, web based, service for rhabdomyosarcoma sufferers and parents, providing access to the trust’s experienced counselling service and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It can be accessed anonymously and from the privacy of home.

During the year fundraising activities have continued and include the major Great North Bike Ride, a charity walk and participation in the Great North Run. Supporters have continued to adopt the charity when taking part in activities and have made other donations. Donations have also been made of prizes for fundraising activities. Fundraising has continued the bike ride and jingle bell walk have continued from post pandemic times.

Lynn and Lynn Lucas, who set up the Chris Lucas Trust after their son died of a rare soft tissue cancer in 2000, have both received a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in honour of their 24 years of dedication to fundraising.

The Chris Lucas Trust has raised over £2 million in the past 24 years to support research into rhabdomyosarcoma, a cancer affecting young people. The Trust has funded innovative research led by Professor Janet Shipley at The Institute of Cancer Research, in collaboration with The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. This research includes developing a genetic test to identify high-risk patients and supporting the collection of biopsy samples from children across Europe, advancing treatment options for rhabdomyosarcoma.

Donations from the Chris Lucas Trust have supported pioneering research that identified how combining two molecularly targeted therapies can block the mechanisms driving the growth of rhabdomyosarcoma — a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among children and young people.

Lynn and Lynn Lucas have been members of The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) Discovery Club since 2014, gaining direct insight into the scientific progress made possible through charitable support. This membership provides opportunities to engage with researchers, attend exclusive events, and receive updates on groundbreaking discoveries aimed at improving outcomes for cancer patients.

Page 3

CHRIS LUCAS TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Achievements and performance (continued)

Investment policy and performance

The charity’s investment powers are conferred by the Trustees’ Act 2000.

Financial review

Going concern

After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the accounting policies.

Reserves policy

The Trustees are continuing to raise money to contribute to the employment of research workers at the Royal Marsden Hospital. In the past the trustees committed grants to fund this research, however, in the current year, no grants were committed and payments were made upon an invoice basis.

The charity had cash reserves of £44,782 as at 31 March 2025. The charity's total reserves amounted to £43,952 at the year end and these will be carried forward into future periods to help fund future research grants.

Structure, governance and management

Constitution

Chris Lucas Trust is a registered charity, number 1085775, and is constituted under a Trust deed.

The principal object of the charity is to provide funding towards the employment of scientific researchers to carry out research into rhabdomyosarcoma and the publication of the results of such research.

The Governing document is a Trust deed dated 14 February 2001.

Methods of appointment or election of Trustees

New trustees are appointed by existing trustees.

Financial risk management

The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the Charity is exposed, in particular those related to the operations and finances of the Charity, and are satisfied that systems and procedures are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.

Page 4

CHRIS LUCAS TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Statement of Trustees' responsibilities

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law applicable to charities in England & Wales 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 its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the Trust deed. They 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.

Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees on 31 October 2025 and signed on their behalf by:

Mrs M A A Mackey

Page 5

CHRIS LUCAS TRUST

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Independent examiner's report to the Trustees of Chris Lucas Trust ('the Charity')

I report to the charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the Trustees of the Charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act').

I report in respect of my examination of the Charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

Your attention is drawn to the fact that the Charity has prepared the accounts in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has been withdrawn.

I understand that this has been done in order for the accounts to provide a true and fair view in accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2015.

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

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

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.

This report is made solely to the Charity's Trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the Charity's Trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an Independent examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Charity and the Charity's Trustees as a body, for my work or for this report.

Signed:

Dated: 31 October 2025

D J Graham FCA

Ryecroft Glenton Chartered Accountants 32 Portland Terrace Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 1QP

Page 6

CHRIS LUCAS TRUST

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Note
Income from:
Donations and legacies
3
Other trading activities
4
Investments
5
Total income
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
6
Charitable activities
8
Total expenditure
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
Net movement in funds
Total funds carried forward
Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
55,791
39,329
179
95,299
47,532
46,046
93,578
1,721
42,231
1,721
43,952
Total
funds
2025
£
55,791
39,329
179
95,299
47,532
46,046
93,578
1,721
42,231
1,721
43,952
Total
funds
2024
£
46,131
39,464
302
85,897
49,686
46,398
96,084
(10,187)
52,418
(10,187)
42,231

The Statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

The notes on pages 9 to 20 form part of these financial statements.

Page 7

CHRIS LUCAS TRUST

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2025

Note
Fixed assets
13
Current assets
Debtors
14
Cash at bank and in hand
Current liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due within one
year
15
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Total net assets
Charity funds
Unrestricted funds
17
Total funds
2,971
44,782
47,753
(3,801)
2025
£
-
43,952
43,952
43,952
43,952
43,952
2,375
42,602
44,977
(2,746)
2024
£
-
42,231
42,231
42,231
42,231
42,231

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees on 31 October 2025 and signed on their behalf by:

Mrs M A A Mackey

The notes on pages 9 to 20 form part of these financial statements.

Page 8

CHRIS LUCAS TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1. General information

Chris Lucas Trust is a charitable Trust, charity number 1085775. the principal office is 95 Lancaster Drive, Wallsend, Tyne and Wear, NE28 9TF.

2. Accounting policies

2.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice 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 Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.

The financial statements have been prepared to give a 'true and fair' view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a 'true and fair' view. This departure has involved following the Charities SORP (FRS 102) published in October 2019 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.

Chris Lucas Trust 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.

2.2 Going concern

After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.

2.3 Income

All income is recognised once the Charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.

Income tax recoverable in relation to investment income is recognised at the time the investment income is receivable.

2.4 Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity.

Expenditure on raising funds includes all expenditure incurred by the Charity to raise funds for its charitable purposes and includes costs of all fundraising activities events and non-charitable trading.

Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the Charity's objectives, as well as any associated support costs.

Page 9

CHRIS LUCAS TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

2. Accounting policies (continued)

2.4 Expenditure (continued)

Grants payable are charged in the year when the offer is made except in those cases where the offer is conditional, such grants being recognised as expenditure when the conditions attaching are fulfilled. Grants offered subject to conditions which have not been met at the year end are noted as a commitment, but not accrued as expenditure.

2.5 Interest receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the Charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the institution with whom the funds are deposited.

2.6 Debtors

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

2.7 Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and 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.

2.8 Liabilities

Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably.

Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the Charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.

2.9 Financial instruments

The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.

2.10 Fund accounting

General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.

Investment income, gains and losses are allocated to the appropriate fund.

Page 10

CHRIS LUCAS TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

3. Income from donations and legacies

Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
Donations
55,791
Unrestricted
funds
2024
£
Donations
46,131
4.
Income from other trading activities
Income from fundraising events
Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
Fundraising events
39,329
Unrestricted
funds
2024
£
Fundraising events
39,464
5.
Investment income
Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
Investment income
179
Total
funds
2025
£
55,791
Total
funds
2024
£
46,131
Total
funds
2025
£
39,329
Total
funds
2024
£
39,464
Total
funds
2025
£
179

Page 11

CHRIS LUCAS TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

5. Investment income (continued)

Unrestricted Total
funds funds
2024 2024
£ £
Investment income 302 302

6. Expenditure on raising funds

Costs of raising voluntary income

Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
Fundraising costs
41,772
Wages and salaries
5,760
47,532
Unrestricted
funds
2024
£
Fundraising costs
43,926
Wages and salaries
5,760
49,686
Total
funds
2025
£
41,772
5,760
47,532
Total
funds
2024
£
43,926
5,760
49,686

Page 12

CHRIS LUCAS TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

7. Analysis of grants

Grant making
Grant making
Grants to
Institutions
2025
£
25,000
Grants to
Institutions
2024
£
25,000
Total
funds
2025
£
25,000
Total
funds
2024
£
25,000

The grant funds a research worker at the Royal Marsden Hospital, London, to carry out research into rhabdomyosarcoma.

Page 13

CHRIS LUCAS TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

8. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities

Summary by fund type

Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
Grant making
25,000
Counselling
21,046
46,046
Unrestricted
funds
2024
£
Grant making
25,000
Counselling
21,398
46,398
Total
2025
£
25,000
21,046
46,046
Total
2024
£
25,000
21,398
46,398

9. Analysis of expenditure by activities

Grant making
Counselling
Activities
undertaken
directly
2025
£
-
11,520
11,520
Grant
funding of
activities
2025
£
25,000
-
25,000
Support
costs
2025
£
-
9,526
9,526
Total
funds
2025
£
25,000
21,046
46,046

Page 14

CHRIS LUCAS TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

9. Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)

Grant making
Counselling
Analysis of direct costs
Staff costs
Staff costs
Activities
undertaken
directly
2024
£
-
11,520
11,520
Grant
funding of
activities
2024
£
25,000
-
25,000
Support
costs
2024
£
-
9,878
9,878
2025
£
11,520
2024
£
11,520
Total
funds
2024
£
25,000
21,398
46,398
Total
funds
2025
£
11,520
Total
funds
2024
£
11,520

Analysis of support costs

Staff costs
Office expenses
Independent Examiners fee
2025
£
1,920
5,806
1,800
9,526
Total
funds
2025
£
1,920
5,806
1,800
9,526

Page 15

CHRIS LUCAS TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

9. Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)

Analysis of support costs (continued)

Staff costs
Office expenses
Independent Examiners fee
10.
Independent examiner's remuneration
Fees payable to the Charity's independent examiner for the independent
examination of the Charity's annual accounts
2024
£
1,920
6,230
1,728
9,878
2025
£
1,800
Total
funds
2024
£
1,920
6,230
1,728
9,878
2024
£
1,728

11. Staff costs

2025
£
Wages and salaries
19,200
19,200
The average number of persons employed by the Charity during the year was as follows:
2024
£
19,200
19,200
2025
No.
Fundraising, counselling and administration
1
No employee received remuneration amounting to more than £60,000 in either year.
2024
No.
1

The aggregate remuneration of the key management of the charity amounted to £19,200 in the year.

Page 16

CHRIS LUCAS TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

12. Trustees' remuneration and expenses

During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2024 - £NIL) .

During the year ended 31 March 2025, no Trustee expenses have been incurred (2024 - £NIL) .

13.
Tangible fixed assets
Cost or valuation
At 1 April 2024
At 31 March 2025
Depreciation
At 1 April 2024
At 31 March 2025
Net book value
At 31 March 2025
At 31 March 2024
14.
Debtors
Due within one year
Prepayments and accrued income
2025
£
2,971
2,971
Computer
equipment
£
1,353
1,353
1,353
1,353
-
-
2024
£
2,375
2,375

Page 17

CHRIS LUCAS TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

15. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

Other taxation and social security
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income
Financial instruments
Financial assets
Financial assets measured at fair value through income and expenditure
2025
£
331
1,193
2,277
3,801
2025
£
44,782
2024
£
497
521
1,728
2,746
2024
£
42,602

16. Financial instruments

Financial assets measured at fair value through income and expenditure comprise cash at bank and in hand.

Page 18

CHRIS LUCAS TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

17. Statement of funds

Statement of funds - current year

Unrestricted funds
General Funds
Statement of funds - prior year
Unrestricted funds
General Funds
Balance at 1
April 2024
£
42,231
Balance at
1 April 2023
£
52,418
Income
£
95,299
Income
£
85,897
Expenditure
£
(93,578)
Expenditure
£
(96,084)
Balance at
31 March
2025
£
43,952
Balance at
31 March
2024
£
42,231

18. Analysis of net assets between funds Analysis of net assets between funds - current year

Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
Current assets
47,753
Creditors due within one year
(3,801)
Total
43,952
Total
funds
2025
£
47,753
(3,801)
43,952

Page 19

CHRIS LUCAS TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

18. Analysis of net assets between funds (continued)

Analysis of net assets between funds - prior year

Current assets
Creditors due within one year
Total
Unrestricted
funds
2024
£
44,977
(2,746)
42,231
Total
funds
2024
£
44,977
(2,746)
42,231

19. Related party transactions

The Charity has not entered into any related party transaction during the year, nor are there any outstanding balances owing between related parties and the Charity at 31 March 2025.

Page 20