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2023-12-31-accounts

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 04117495 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1086146

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND

UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

FOR

THE EYECARE TRUST (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

Haines Watts Chartered Accountants Old Station House Station Approach Swindon Wiltshire SN1 3DU

THE EYECARE TRUST

CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Page
Report of the Trustees 1 to 6
Independent Examiner's Report 7
Statement of Financial Activities 8
Statement of Financial Position 9
Notes to the Financial Statements 10 to 15

THE EYECARE TRUST

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2023. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Objectives and aims

During the year the charity continued its recovery from the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

a. Principal activity

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.

The charity's purpose is to promote ocular health in the primary care sector and to educate the public about ocular health and good vision, and the ways of achieving this.

It aims to encourage increased uptake of routine eye tests and vision screening; support people to make informed choices about their eye care; and, inspire healthy lifestyle choices to benefit eye (and general) health.

b. Activities for achieving objectives

As a champion for ‘prevention’ the charity creates resources and runs public health campaigns designed to educate and motivate people to actively look after their eyes.

The charity’s primary public health campaign is National Eye Health Week.

Multi-channel eye care

Digital health information is a key tool for all our eye health promotions. Did you know Google receives more than 1 billion health-related questions every day?

Our multi-channel approach to public health promotion ensures a diverse range of eye care advice and information is available whenever and wherever people need it.

More than a quarter of a million people access our online advice and information every year. Whilst our public information service, which can be accessed via email or phone, provides a unique and direct response to individuals with concerns about their, or a loved-ones, eye health.

Popular digital resources included our fact sheets on retinal detachment, blepharitis, cataracts, squint, eye care for screen users, sight tests and buying sunglasses.

Our Instagram, Facebook and Twitter feeds also helped keep the profession and the public up-to-date with the latest eye care news and provided valuable channels for sharing important and timely eye care advice.

Public health promotion

During 2023 the charity addressed a wide-range of eye care topics including, dry eye; eyesight standards for motorists; the importance of spending time outdoors for the prevention and control of myopia; how the menopause can affect eye health; wearing and caring for your contact lenses; the importance of wearing sunglasses; and, eye care in the work place.

These initiatives generated press coverage in national and local media, and, across online and offline communication channels.

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THE EYECARE TRUST

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Practitioner resources

The charity also continued its commitment to provide eyecare practitioners (ECPs), healthcare professionals and educators with tools and resources to assist them in the promotion of engaging eye care messages to their local communities. This included a new set of resources highlighting the importance of good vision for driving.

Eye health within a wider public health context

To highlight the link between eye health and wider public health issues the charity supported a number of other relevant and high-profile public health campaigns during 2023. These included Diabetes Awareness Week and National No Smoking Day.

National Eye Health Week (18 – 24 September 2023)

Across seven days of intense public health promotion, we shared essential advice about looking after your eyes – from the importance of having regular sight tests and keeping up-to-date with vision screening, to explaining why making healthy lifestyle choices can benefit your vision.

During the Week we published a map which illustrated areas of the UK at increased risk of ‘future eye disease’ – a useful tool for public health teams and commissioners.

Fig 1. Future Risk of Sight Loss Map

Three and a half thousand individuals and organisations used resources created by the charity to spread the word on eye health and together generated 610 million ‘opportunities to see’ in traditional and online media and secured a reach of 20 million+ on social media, not to mention many more conversations on eye health in workplaces, on high streets and in the community.

Contributions from key opinion leaders, including Health Minister Neil O’Brien, Katie Piper OBE and celebrity chef Marcus Wareing, helped extend the campaign reach and resonance.

Internet searches around eye health rose 36% during the Week and there was a clear up-tick in the number of sight tests conducted.

An executive summary of National Eye Health Week 2023 can be found here: https://www.visionmatters.org.uk/downloads/nehw-executive-summary-nov-23.pdf

Read the online edition of Vista, the official magazine for National Eye Health Week here: https://www .vistamagazine.co.uk/imag/vista2023/

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THE EYECARE TRUST

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Is Your Vision Roadworthy?

Together with the Older Drivers Forum, the charity led a multi-agency vision and driving campaign to raise awareness of the importance of ensuring your vision is fit to drive.

Activity included road-side vision screening conducted by police forces across the country, the production of a campaign report, publication of a dedicated website, out of home advertising and media relations.

Powerful data and compelling human stories helped create strong public engagement and wide-spread press and social media coverage – including stories featured on ITV, Daily Telegraph and Autocar.

Public Affairs

Raising awareness of eye health by creating ‘better public health messaging’ was at the heart of briefings to Ministers and public health teams during the year.

Social connections

This year the charity’s social conversation on eye health – across Instagram, X and Facebook – had a reach of more than 30 million.

Third party partnerships

The charity continued to build upon the foundations it has established over recent years, working with its supporters as well as third and public sector organisations to extend the reach and impact of its public health promotions.

In particular, the trustees would like to thank and acknowledge the vital support of the official partners of National Eye Health Week – Asda Opticians, Central Optical Fund and Specsavers – And, our supporting organisations Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO), College of Optometrists, Federation of Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians(FODO) and the Optical Suppliers Association (OSA).

FINANCIAL REVIEW

a. Reserves policy

It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to three months expenditure (approximately £18,000 at current levels).

The trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity's current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. Free reserves at the end of this reporting period amount to £51,157. This is surplus to the required minimum set out above.

b. Financial position

The year-end position of the charity is set out on page 9. Total reserves at the year-end amounted to £57,584 of which £6,427 represented restricted reserves. The present level of funding is adequate to support the continuation of the charity's activities in the short-term. In these challenging times the trustees consider the financial position to be satisfactory.

The negative financial impact COVID-19 brought to the charity has been stemmed and revenue is building back to pre-pandemic levels.

During this year the charity also benefited from a generous bequest from the estate of Sean Nickels. The trustees would like to extend their sincere gratitude and appreciation for this legacy.

c. Risk review

The trustees recognise their responsibility to manage the risks facing the charity and have implemented a risk management system which includes the maintenance of a risk register.

Risk levels are monitored regularly as part of a wider risk strategy.

The trustees currently consider the maintenance of a sustainable unrestricted / non-commercial income stream to the biggest risk facing the charity.

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THE EYECARE TRUST

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

d. Fundraising

Eye Health UK is registered with the Fundraising Regulator, an independent body who set and maintain the standards for charitable fundraising. Public fundraising forms a very small part of the charity's income and is mostly made-up of funds raised by National Eye Health Week supporters at charity bake sales.

The number of complaints received by the charity about its fundraising activity is nil.

e. Principle funding sources

Charity income streams include levy payments from eyecare practitioners, charitable donations and sponsorship. This income is used to fund the administration of the charity and its public health promotions.

f. VAT

In line with Charity Taxation Regulations the charity adopts a practice of partial exemption on goods and services which promulgate the charity's objects.

FUTURE PLANS

Main activities and achievements planned for 2024 include:

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Charity constitution

a. Constitution

The charity was established by its Memorandum (amended by Special Resolution on 5 March 2011) and Articles of Association on 30 November 2000 and is a company limited by guarantee.

The charity's objects, as set out in the Memorandum of Association, are to promote improved ocular health to the public generally; to educate the public about ocular health and good vision and the means of achieving this; and to promote the advancement and improvement of the ophthalmic profession and its suppliers for the public benefit in a generic manner without favouring or promoting any individual supplier of services or appliances.

The trustees are responsible for the governance of the charity; however, the day-to-day running of the charity is delegated to an administrator.

b. Method of appointment or election of trustees

As set out in the Articles of Association, the board of trustees has the right, from time to time, to appoint a person as a trustee.

The charity has a requirement for a minimum number of six trustees at any one time, up to a maximum of nine.

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THE EYECARE TRUST

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

A potential trustee will be offered for consideration at any time that the board deems appropriate. The appointment of the potential trustee is formally discussed at the next scheduled board meeting.

Trustees are considered on the basis of relevant skills, experience, and willingness to take an active part in the running of the charity. Following a majority vote of the existing board of trustees, a potential trustee will be appointed to the board. There is no minimum period of service, and a trustee can retire at any time.

The official appointment requires a quorum to agree the appointment, and, following completion of appropriate Companies House documentation, the new trustee is formally welcomed to the board at the following board meeting.

c. Policies adopted for the induction and training of trustees

New trustees are briefed on the charity’s activities prior to their appointment. They are also provided with the minutes of the last board meeting and agenda of the next meeting as well as the previous year's annual report. All trustees are informed of their obligations under charity and company law, the content of the Articles of Association and the procedures that govern the trustees' actions and nature of the resources of the charity.

d. Organisational structure and decision making

The trustees who served the charity during the period were as follows:

DC Cartwright (chairman) RK Plahay (interim vice chair) RN Gavzey (interim secretary) AC Bithell (College of Optometrists) (Resigned on 30 November 2023) JT Holmes (ABDO) R Stoner (OSA formerly FMO) SA Tinger (FODO)

None of the trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute up to £10 in the event of a winding up.

All the trustees give their time voluntarily and received no benefits from the charity. Any expenses reclaimed are set out in note 7 of the accounts.

The subscribers to the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the charity are recorded in these documents and will remain for the lifetime of the charity.

Article 2 states that subscribers are admitted to membership and article 2.3 provides for a member retiring providing that the number of members does not fall below two. The Articles of Association are not changed to reflect subsequent changes in membership; these are reflected in the annual accounts and AGM minutes.

Article 29 provides for each member as a subscriber to the charity, to appoint one person as a trustee and to remove such person as a trustee. On retiring as a member this right is terminated and the trustee appointed by this member must also retire.

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THE EYECARE TRUST

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Company number

04117495 (England and Wales)

Registered Charity number

1086146

Registered office

The Countess of Huntingdon's Chapel Vineyards Bath BA1 5NA

Independent Examiner

Haines Watts Chartered Accountants Old Station House Station Approach Swindon Wiltshire SN1 3DU

27 September 2024 Approved by order of the board of trustees on ............................................. and signed on its behalf by:

................................................................. Mr D C Cartwright - Trustee

Page 6

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE EYECARE TRUST

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The Eyecare Trust ('the Company')

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2023.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

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

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

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

  3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act 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; or

  4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)).

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.

Susan Plumb ACA Haines Watts Chartered Accountants Old Station House Station Approach Swindon Wiltshire SN1 3DU

Date: 27 September 2024

Page 7

THE EYECARE TRUST

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING AN INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Unrestricted
fund
Notes
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
2
38,400
Charitable activities
4
Promoting ocular health
45,492
Investment income
3
569
Total
84,461
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
5
Promoting ocular health
57,087
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
27,374
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
23,783
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
51,157
Restricted
funds
£
-
33,398
-
33,398
34,271
(873)
7,300
6,427
2023
Total
funds
£
38,400
78,890
569
117,859
91,358
26,501
31,083
57,584
2022
Total
funds
£
235
77,760
72
78,067
96,869
(18,802)
49,885
31,083

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 8

THE EYECARE TRUST

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION 31 DECEMBER 2023

2023 2022
Notes £ £
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors 8 3,607 872
Cash at bank 57,181 44,737
60,788 45,609
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year 9 (3,204) (14,526)
NET CURRENT ASSETS 57,584 31,083
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT
LIABILITIES 57,584 31,083
NET ASSETS 57,584 31,083
FUNDS 11
Unrestricted funds 51,157 23,783
Restricted funds 6,427 7,300
TOTAL FUNDS 57,584 31,083

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 December 2023.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on

27 September 2024

............................................. and were signed on its behalf by:

............................................. Mr D C Cartwright - Trustee

The notes form part of these financial statements

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THE EYECARE TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, 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)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the entity and rounded to the nearest £.

Going Concern

The charity is dependent on continues supports from its sponsors/partners. The trustees see no reason why this support would be withdrawn. The financial statements are therefore prepared on a going concern basis.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Expenditure

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 a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

Cash

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

Debtors and Creditors

Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable or payable within one year are recorded at transaction price. Any losses arising from impairment are recognised in expenditure.

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continued...

THE EYECARE TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

2.
DONATIONS AND LEGACIES
2023
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
funds
£
£
£
Donations
1,125
-
1,125
Legacies
37,275
-
37,275
38,400
-
38,400
3.
INVESTMENT INCOME
2023
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
funds
£
£
£
Deposit account interest
569
-
569
4.
INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
2023
Promoting
ocular
health
£
Membership fees
18,138
Leaflet and other merchandise sales
104
National Eye Health Week Sponsorship
27,500
Seed Fundraising
14,750
Road Vision Project
18,398
78,890

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continued...

THE EYECARE TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

5. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS

Promoting ocular health:
National Eye Health Week
Roadworthy project
Media line
Other
Marketing and business support
Website development costs
Postage and stationery
Office phone and broadband
Bookkeeping and professional
fees
Insurance
Rent
Office computer expenses
Bank charges
Independent examination
Sundries
Restricted
Funds
£
14,000
11,039
-
9,110
68
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
34,217
Unrestricted
Funds
£
10,788
-
149
39,466
-
31
138
1,944
419
1,705
37
60
2,100
304
57,141
Total
Funds
2023
£
24,788
11,039
149
48,576
68
31
138
1,944
419
1,705
37
60
2,100
304
91,358
Total
Funds
2022
£
40,825
100
-
-
5,536
23
72
2,286
489
2,411
60
1,800
283
98,869

6. NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):

Independent examination 2023
£
2,100
2022
£
1,800

7. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 December 2023 nor for the year ended 31 December 2022.

Trustees' expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 December 2023 nor for the year ended 31 December 2022.

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THE EYECARE TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

8. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

2023 2022
£ £
Trade debtors 3,000 12
VAT - 144
Prepayments and accrued income 607 716
3,607 872
9. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
2023 2022
£ £
Trade creditors 563 12,409
VAT 755 -
Accruals and deferred income 1,886 2,117
3,204 14,526
10. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS
2023 2022
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
fund funds funds funds
£ £ £ £
Current assets 54,361 6,427 60,788 45,609
Current liabilities (3,204) - (3,204) (14,526)
51,157 6,427 57,584 31,083
11. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
Net
movement At
At 1/1/23 in funds 31/12/23
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 23,783 27,374 51,157
Restricted funds
National Eye Health Week 188 - 188
Optician First Campaign 7,112 (1,172) 5,940
Is Your Vision Roadworthy? - 299 299
7,300 (873) 6,427
TOTAL FUNDS 31,083 26,501 57,584

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THE EYECARE TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

11. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
National Eye Health Week
Optician First Campaign
Is Your Vision Roadworthy?
TOTAL FUNDS
Incoming
resources
£
84,461
15,000
-
18,398
33,398
117,859
Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(57,087)
27,374
(15,000)
-
(1,172)
(1,172)
(18,099)
299
(34,271)
(873)
(91,358)
26,501

Comparatives for movement in funds

Net
movement At
At 1/1/22 in funds 31/12/22
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 41,853 (18,070) 23,783
Restricted funds
National Eye Health Week - 188 188
Optician First Campaign 8,032 (920) 7,112
8,032 (732) 7,300
TOTAL FUNDS 49,885 (18,802) 31,083

Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming Resources Movement
resources expended in funds
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 48,067 (66,137) (18,070)
Restricted funds
National Eye Health Week 30,000 (29,812) 188
Optician First Campaign - (920) (920)
30,000 (30,732) (732)
TOTAL FUNDS 78,067 (96,869) (18,802)

National Eye Health Week - funds to be used for the sole purpose of implementing the National Eye Health Week (NEHW) campaign.

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THE EYECARE TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

11. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Optician First Campaign - A public health campaign with advice and information for the treatment of minor / urgent eye conditions.

Is Your Vision Roadworthy? – A vision and driving campaign to raise awareness of the importance of ensuring your vision is fit to drive.

12. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 December 2023.

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