WISHES 4 KIDS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 4 APRIL 2025
WISHES 4 KIDS
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| CHARITY NUMBER: 1092962 | |
|---|---|
| Full charity name | Wishes 4 Kids |
| Patrons | Muzzy Izzet |
| Alan Birchenall | |
| Trustees | Paul Bakewell |
| Shirley McKenna | |
| Paul McKenna | |
| Wendy Brickett | |
| Paula McAllister | |
| Trudie Seers | |
| Offices | 67 Regent Road |
| Leicester | |
| LE1 6YF | |
| Bankers | HSBC Bank plc |
| 2-6 Gallowtree Gate | |
| Leicester | |
| LE1 1DA | |
| Independent examiner | Mrs T.M. Bettles M.A.A.T. |
| Bettles Accountancy Limited | |
| Gummies Retreat | |
| Leicester Road | |
| Tilton on the Hill | |
| Leicestershire | |
| LE7 9DB |
WISHES 4 KIDS
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ANNUAL REPORT
YEAR ENDED 4 APRIL 2025
Structure, governance and management
Wishes 4 Kids is registered with the Charity Commission for England & Wales as an Unincorporated Charity (16 July 2002) with the governing document in the form of a constitution adopted 24 April 2002 (Amended 19 June 2002/Amended 13 January 2003/Amended 13 April 2022).
The Charity holds no title to property.
The Charity is administered by the Trustees as listed on page 1. The Trustees are re-elected at the annual general meeting and hold office from the conclusion of that meeting. The governing document provides for a minimum of three Trustees. When there is a requirement for new trustees, these are identified and appointed by the remaining trustees. The remaining Trustees are responsible for the induction of any new Trustee which involves awareness of trustee’s responsibilities, the governing document, administrative procedures and the history of the charity. There are no co-opted members, however, the facility for the Trustees to appoint such members are included in the Charity’s governing document.
Mr G Lowe manages the daily activities of the Charity.
Objectives and activities
The objects of the Charity are to relieve the suffering of children in the East Midlands area with life limited or terminal illness, children who have suffered life changing mental/physical and emotional trauma or children who have suffered severe abuse by the granting of a wish for example - meeting a celebrity or sportsperson, a trip, a toy or whatever the child most desires.
Achievements, performance and financial review
The charity has seen another increase in events income this year. The increase was 22.8%. However there was a small downturn in donations of 16.2%. Overall this results in a small reduction in income. The Trustees are confident that there is no actual downturn in the overall income of the Charity and the downturn is simply due to the timing of when donations and events income are handed over. The Charity has granted and completed 310 wishes during the year.
The Trustees are grateful to the many supporters of the Charity who have given their loyalty and commitment.
The Charity has been “adopted” by a number of corporate sponsors with whom we are working closely to achieve both financial and volunteer support.
The charity has fulfilled its objectives, to the public, by the granting of a wish to children with life limiting and terminal illness, children who have suffered life changing mental/physical and emotional trauma or have suffered severe abuse and who reside or are being treated within our catchment area.
WISHES 4 KIDS
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ANNUAL REPORT
YEAR ENDED 4 APRIL 2025
Public Benefit
The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity’s aims and objectives and in planning future activities. They remain committed to providing a wish to children who are suffering in the East Midlands Area as detailed more fully in previous paragraphs of this report.
Reserves policy
At the end of the financial year the unrestricted reserves were £221,054 which is more than 9 months of current total expenditure. The Trustees consider the level of unrestricted reserves to be satisfactory. Their policy is to keep reserves at a level to withstand any short-term risks to give themselves time to change any financial plans accordingly. The circumstances around Covid-19 are example why such free reserves are held and these are used accordingly to ensure that Wishes 4 Kids remains a going-concern. The adequacy of the reserves policy is reviewed annually or more often if necessary.
Donations in kind
The charity has received considerable support in kind for the granting of wishes the approximate value of which is £5,863 (2024 - £7,353). This is included in donations received and resources expended.
Risk factors
The trustees have continued to assess the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
WISHES 4 KIDS
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ANNUAL REPORT
YEAR ENDED 4 APRIL 2025
Statement of trustee’s responsibilities
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and 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 the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with applicable law, regulations and the charity constitution. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Signed on behalf of the trustees on 15 May 2025.
PAUL BAKEWELL Trustee
WISHES 4 KIDS
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF WISHES 4 KIDS
YEAR ENDED 4 APRIL 2025
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 4 April 2025 which are set out on pages 6 to 11.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination and I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
- Accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act;
or
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The accounts do not accord with those records; or
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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.
Mrs T.M. Bettles MAAT
BETTLES ACCOUNTANCY LIMITED
Gummies Retreat Leicester Road Tilton on the Hill Leicestershire LE7 9DB
15 May 2025
WISHES 4 KIDS
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STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
YEAR ENDED 4 APRIL 2025
| Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies Other trading activities Fundraising events Other income Profit on disposal of fixed asset Total Expenditure on: Raising funds Charitable activities Cost of wishes provided Total Net income/(expenditure) Transfers between fund Net movement in funds for the year Reconciliation of funds Fund balances at 5 April 2024 Fund balances at 4 April 2025 |
Total Total Notes 2025 2024 3 144,676 172,674 104,584 85,148 - - ---------- ---------- 249,260 257,822 ---------- ---------- 4 56,455 59,660 5 235,882 185,725 ---------- ---------- 292,337 245,385 ---------- ---------- (43,077) 12,437 - - ---------- ---------- (43,077) 12,437 264,131 251,694 ---------- ---------- £221,054 £264,131 ======= ======= |
|---|---|
The funds for 2025 and 2024 are unrestricted.
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BALANCE SHEET
AT 4 APRIL 2025
| Fixed assets Tangible fixed assets Current assets Debtors Cash at bank and in hand Short-term creditors Net current assets Net assets Represented by: Unrestricted funds Total charity funds |
Notes 2025 2024 8 229 20,686 9 12,436 30,561 209,274 213,769 ---------- ---------- 221,710 244,330 10 885 885 ---------- ---------- 220,825 243,445 ---------- ---------- £221,054 £264,131 ======= ======= 221,054 264,131 ---------- ---------- £221,054 £264,131 ======= ======= |
|---|---|
These financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 15 May 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
PAUL BAKEWELL Trustee
WISHES 4 KIDS
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NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 4 APRIL 2025
1. Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014, with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102),with the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Practice as it applies from 1 January 2015.
Wishes 4 Kids meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.
The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention, modified to include certain items at fair value. The trustees have considered the level of funds held and the expected level of income and expenditure for the 12 month period from the date of authorising these financial statements. The budgeted income and expenditure together with the level of reserves is sufficient for the charity to be able to continue as a going concern.
The financial statements are presented in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity.
The charity has applied Updated Bulletin 1 as published on 2 February 2016 and does not include a cash flow statement on the grounds that it is applying FRS 102 Section 1a
2. Accounting policies
The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years presented unless otherwise stated.
- (a) Income is recognised in the SOFA when the charity becomes entitled to the resources, it is more than likely to receive the resources and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability.
Legacies are included in the SOFA when receipt is probable, that is, when there has been grant of probate, the executors have established that there are sufficient assets in the estate and any conditions attached to the legacy are either within the control of the charity or have been met.
Donated services and facilities are included in incoming resources in the SOFA (with an equivalent amount in resources expended) at the value of the gift to the charity where this can be quantified.
Gift Aid receivable is included in income when there is a valid declaration from the donor. Any Gift Aid amount recovered on a donation is considered to be part of that gift and is treated as an addition to the same fund as the initial donation unless the donor or the terms of the appeal have specified otherwise.
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(b) Liabilities are recognised where it is more likely than not that there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources and the amount of the obligation can be measured with reasonable certainty. Expenditure, including the related irrecoverable VAT, has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs relating to the category.
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(c) Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of resources (time spent by staff).
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(d) Tangible fixed assets are capitalised and are written off by depreciation, calculated to write down the cost by equal instalments, over their expected useful lives. The rates applicable are as follows:-
Fixtures, fittings & equipment - 10% per annum on cost. Motor vehicles
- 33.33% per annum on cost
WISHES 4 KIDS
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NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
YEAR ENDED 4 APRIL 2025
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(e) The unrestricted funds are funds which can be used in accordance with the charitable objects at the discretion of the trustees.
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Restricted funds are to be used for specific purposes as laid down by the donor. Expenditure which meets the criteria is charged to the fund
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(f) The charity only enters into basic financial instruments transactions that result in the recognition of financial assets and liabilities like other debtors and creditors.
Short term debtors and creditors are measured at the transaction price.
3. Donations and legacies
Donations and legacies include Donations In Kind of £5,863 (2024 - £7,353).
4. Analysis of expenditure on raising funds
| Direct | Support | Total | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| cost | costs | 2025 | 2024 | |
| Fundraising costs | £25,489 | £30,966 | £56,455 | £59,660 |
| ===== | ===== | ===== | ====== | |
| 5. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activity | ||||
| Direct | Support | Total | Total | |
| cost | costs | 2025 | 2024 | |
| Cost of wishes provided | £173,101 | £62,781 | £235,882 | £185,725 |
| ===== | ===== | ===== | ===== | |
| 6. Allocation of support costs | ||||
| Charitable | Raising | Total | Total | |
| Support costs | activity | funds | 2025 | 2024 |
| Printing, postage & stationery | 2,167 | 1,068 | 3,235 | 2,556 |
| Sundry expenses | 952 | 469 | 1,421 | 990 |
| Repairs & renewals | 1,830 | 903 | 2,733 | 1,960 |
| Rent & rates | 6,210 | 3,062 | 9,272 | 9,271 |
| Heat & light | 1,187 | 586 | 1,773 | 2,538 |
| Telephone | 2,143 | 1,057 | 3,200 | 5,064 |
| Bank charges | 142 | 71 | 213 | 229 |
| Insurance | 1,404 | 693 | 2,097 | 2,557 |
| Depreciation | 13,791 | 6,802 | 20,593 | 20,575 |
| Salaries (note 6) | 26,593 | 13,116 | 39,709 | 37,093 |
| Motor | 5,793 | 2,858 | 8,651 | 7,901 |
| Governance | ||||
| Accountancy | 569 | 281 | 850 | 850 |
| --------- | --------- | ---------- | --------- | |
| £62,781 | £30,966 | £93,747 | £91,584 | |
| ===== | ====== | ====== | ====== |
The charity undertakes direct charitable activities only and allocates its Support Costs on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
All accountancy fees relate to the preparation and independent examination of the charity’s financial accounts.
WISHES 4 KIDS
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NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) YEAR ENDED 4 APRIL 2025
7. Staff costs
| 7. Staff costs | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| Wages and salaries | 38,767 | 36,230 | |
| Social security costs | - | - | |
| Employer’s pension contributions | 942 | 863 | |
| ---------- | ---------- | ||
| Total emoluments | £39,709 | £37,093 | |
| ====== | ====== | ||
| No employee received a salary in excess of £60,000 per annum. | |||
| Average number of employees | 1 | 1 | |
| == | == | ||
| There were no Key Management personnel employed during the year. | |||
| 8. Tangible fixed assets | |||
| Fixtures | |||
| Motor | Fittings & | ||
| Vehicles | Equipment | Total | |
| Cost | |||
| At 5 April 2024 | 61,542 | 18,576 | 80,118 |
| Additions | - | 136 | 136 |
| Disposals | - | - | - |
| ----------- | ----------- | ----------- | |
| At 4 April 2025 | 61,542 | 18,712 | 80,254 |
| ----------- | ----------- | ----------- | |
| Depreciation | |||
| At 5 April 2024 | 41,024 | 18,408 | 59,432 |
| Charge for the year | 20,518 | 75 | 20,593 |
| Disposals | - | - | - |
| ----------- | ----------- | ----------- | |
| At 4 April 2025 | 61,542 | 18,483 | 80,025 |
| ----------- | ----------- | ----------- | |
| Net book amount | |||
| At 4 April 2025 | £- | £229 | £229 |
| ======= | ======= | ======= | |
| At 4 April 2024 | £20,518 | £168 | £20,686 |
| ======= | ======= | ======= | |
| 9. Debtors | |||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| Prepayments | 6,159 | 9,656 | |
| Other debtors | 6,277 | 20,905 | |
| ----------- | ----------- | ||
| £12,436 | £30,561 | ||
| ======= | ======= | ||
| 10. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year | |||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| Other creditors | - | - | |
| Accruals | 885 | 885 | |
| ----------- | ----------- | ||
| £885 | £885 | ||
| ======= | ======= |
WISHES 4 KIDS
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NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) YEAR ENDED 4 APRIL 2025
11. Trustees’ remuneration and expenses
No trustees received any remuneration either directly or indirectly, during the year or previous year. Included in Sundries are Meeting expenses reimbursed to Trustees of £nil (2024 – £nil).