2024-12-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 01.01.2024 Period start date To 31.12.2024 Period end date Charity name: ROYAL FLEET AUXILIARY ASSOCIATION Charity registration number: 1093950 SCO39054

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	The Royal Fleet Auxiliary Association is an armed forces sector charity with around 595 members world-wide. The aims of the charity are to further the efficiency of the Service, and to give support and relief to serving and retired members of the Service, and their dependants, particularly in times of hardship, sickness, bereavement and supporting serving families during times of military conflict.
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.	Para 1.17 and 1.19	In furthering the aims of the Association, the charity arranges annual reunions, branch social functions and fundraising events. Advice, support, camaraderie and friendship is offered to all the RFA community and to bereaved families, with Service ceremonial arranged where the family wishes it. During hostilities, the Association aims to work closely with the serving RFA to assist with family support groups at key locations in the UK. We hold an archive collection of historic RFA material, and this is added to as ships and individuals give or bequeath papers, records, honours, pictures etc. The archive is located in Building 1/078 within HM Naval Base at Portsmouth with some items loaned to a new RN museum in Hartlepool. The Association helps to promote knowledge and appreciation of the vital logistics support provided to the armed forces by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service and its historic achievements, through participation in national events and initiatives, and publishing information. It also administers the (Commodore RFA) James Coull Memorial Award, which is presented annually to an RFA seafarer who has

		performed an outstanding act or achievement.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	Trustees regularly receive and discuss all newly issued, appropriate, Charity Commission guidance.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

	SORP reference
Policy on grant making	Para 1.38	The charity makes modest grants to serving and retired members of the RFA in time of financial need and to other marine charities sharing our broad aims. Additional help to individuals is in the form of friendship and advice, with referral to the main full time, professional Service and Maritime charities when appropriate. In 2024 Welfare requests increased by 20% over the previous year, Of the 25 received 11 resulted in cash grants being awarded totalling £9278. A Grant of £300 was made to each of our 5 branches for local maritime charitable purposes.
Policy on social investment including program related investment	Para 1.38	There is no policy on social investment.
Contribution made by volunteers	Para 1.38	Our volunteers run the regional branches, provide local welfare support and assist the trustees with their deep maritime experience and expertise. They give greater depth to the identity of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. Their experience, enthusiasm, belief and love of the service are a great asset to the RFA community.
Other		Nil

Achievements and Performance

	SORP reference
Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the	Para 1.20	Fundraising and Publishing. The membership is currently declining as our membership age increases and is currently around 595. Income was stable at £29615 but membership income continues a slow decline to £4423. Costs increased to

charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole.		£226930, with the biggest increases being welfare claims increasing by £1745 to and the £1500 paid out to branches. Information is mainly provided to Members and others via our newly upgraded web site, www.rfaa.uk and on an ad hoc basis sent by Mail Chimp. We operate Facebook and Twitter accounts. A RFAA Handbook and Yearbook is issued to each member in February every year. Normally printing costs is covered by advertising but this year it had to be subsidised by £1000, and its future is not secure. The RFA Memorial. The Association supports the RFA memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum and the RFA Falklands memorial at Marchwood. RFA Historical Society The Association maintains the large amount of material donated by the now defunct RFA Historical Society and meets all website costs. Charity Offices. The Association has its archive held in Room 15, Building 1/078, Stony Lane, HM Naval Base, Portsmouth. This location is significantly cheaper and more secure than other options. Improvements to access continue to be sought. The office is close to RFA HQ in Whale Island. By the very nature of the membership the trustees are scattered throughout the United Kingdom and most of the charity management is conducted using electronic means with 3 video meetings per annum. Remembrance. Trustees and members attended remembrance services around the UK including a small contingent at the Cenotaph in Whitehall. Many small groups and individuals represent the RFA service around the country and poppy wreaths are purchased out of association funds to support this.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

N/A Achievements against Para 1.41 objectives set

Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set	Para 1.41	N/A
Investment performance against objectives	Para 1.41	N/A
Other		N/A

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	The Associations financial position is extremely sound with £199,967 of unrestricted funds held at year end.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	The reserves policy is to hold a minimum of three years average operating costs to enable time for an orderly closedown of the Association should circumstances require this.
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	Current financial reserves allow for a minimum of 7 years at current operating cost levels.
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22	N/A
Details of fund materially in deficit	Para 1.24	N/A
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	Para 1.23	N/A

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	Para 1.47	The charity’s income is derived from member subscriptions (enhanced by Gift Aid), social internal fundraising events (e.g. the annual Reunion) and sales of books and regalia (within permitted limits). The RFAA Golf Society holds an annual commercially sponsored golf tournament, and this is now the major funding source raising £8.6k profit in 2024. No funding is received from the serving RFA or from public fundraising.
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	Para 1.46	Our reserves are held in cash deposits. It has been decided not to increase financial risk by investing in equities in these financially turbulent times. Policy is to earn good interest with minimum financial risk.
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46	The risks to the Association, its property and to the trustees, are regularly assessed and appropriately insured. A formal risk management process is in place. Principle

risks are loss of sponsors as the maritime industry faces hard economic times and loss of RFA relationship as a new Commodore is appointed. Loss of members is increasing due to an ever-ageing community and IT risks remain as attacks on business systems continues to increase in society. Nil Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	Constitution, which was amended in 2024 to incorporate requirements of the Charity Act 2022 and to change a meeting quorum from people present, to a minimum number of votes cast in person and by post.
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	Unincorporated Association
Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees	Para 1.25	Up to eleven trustees can be elected from amongst the full membership. These trustees are selected to provide a wide representation of geographical areas, specialisations and ranks and both former officers and ratings are represented. Three further trustees may be co-opted, and there is one ex-officio trustees (serving RFA) Trustees may serve for up to nine years in a single term but must be re-elected by the membership each year.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements	Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements	where relevant about:
Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees	Para 1.51	Every effort is made to identify recruits to ensure continuity and the spread of expertise. New trustees are provided with Charity Commission guidance documents and encouraged to read themselves into their role. An area on the RFA Association website (www.rfaa.uk) exists to provide a central point of information, guidance and recent history.
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works	Para 1.51	The charity has a governing board, which is led by the Chair of the Trustees. There are six branches throughout the UK, each with Branch Chair and a committee of volunteers, who deliver the aims of the charity locally though the Midlands branch is currently inactive due to lack of a local committee.
		The charity has a Memorandum of

Relationship with any related parties	Para 1.51	Understanding (MOU) with the parent Service (RFA) that is of mutual benefit. The Association is a member of the Confederation of British Servicemen’s’ and ex-Servicemen’s’ Organisations (COBSEO) and of National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO).
Other		Nil

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	Royal Fleet Auxiliary Association
Other name the charity uses	RFAA
Registered charity number	1093950 and SCO39054 (Scotland)
Charity’s principal address	12a Beechcroft Road Gosport Hampshire PO12 2ER

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

	Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole **year **	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany)
	Mr A Morle	National Chair	1.1.24 - 31.12.24	Members AGM
	Mr P M Fry	DeputyChair	1.1.24– 31.12.24	Members AGM
	Mr M Troman	Welfare Director	1.1.24 - 31.12.24	Members AGM
	Mr A Sherlock		1.1.24 – 31.12.24	Members AGM
	Mr R Bennett	Membership Secretary	1.1.24 - 31.12.24	Members AGM
	Mrs G Forth		1.1.24 - 31.12.24	Members AGM
	Mr A August	Archivist & Almoner	18.5.24 – 31.12.24	SecondedpendingAGM 25
	Mr M Day		1.1.24 – 18.5.24	Members AGM -resigned

– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved

Director name Nil

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year Nil

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others.

Description of the assets Nil held in this capacity

Name and objects of the N/A charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for N/A safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of adviser Name Address
N/A
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
N/A

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details N/A

Other optional information

N/A

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date	Signed on original	Signed on original
	Andrew Morle	Peter Fry
	National Chair	Deputy Chair and Treasurer
	30 May 2025
	30 May 2025

ROYAL FLEET AUXILIARY ASSOCIATION

End of year accounts 01/01/2024 to 31/12/2024

	ROYAL FLEET AUXILIARY ASSOCIATION	ROYAL FLEET AUXILIARY ASSOCIATION	ROYAL FLEET AUXILIARY ASSOCIATION
a	ROYAL FLEET AUXILIARY ASSOCIATION
				End of year accountsyear accountsear accounts
				01/01/2024 to 31/12/2024
~~es~~	~~es~~	~~es~~
~~es~~	~~es~~	~~es~~
Receipts andpayments ~~es~~	~~es~~	~~es~~
Receipts in		2024	2023	2022	2021
Donations and Fund Raising Activities		£17,814.77	£21,841.46	£57,574.86	£14,983.55
RFA Golf Event	£12,821.90		£12,672.55	£5,027.00	£13,532.00
Fundraising Events/General Donations	£4,130.77		£8,093.91	£51,547.86	£951.55
Donation to J.Coull				£1,000.00	£500.00
Welfare Donations	£862.10		£1,075.00
Membership Fees		£4,423.00	£4,373.00	£5,191.00	£5,772.00
Annual Subscriptions	£4,123.00		£4,373.00	£4,591.00	£5,142.00
Life Memberships	£300.00			£600.00	£630.00
Reunion Income		£2,649.10	£1,423.46	£1,933.00	£3,440.44
Branch Fundraising		£1,369.20	£895.60	£1,192.19	£1,019.70
Plymouth & District	£795.85		600.00	£1,014.19	£500.00
Solent				£56.00	£59.56
North West
S&N	£144.00			£87.00
Retailling	£429.35		£295.60	£35.00	£460.14
Bank Interest		£3,359.35	£2,752.85	£606.94	£7.37
Total Receipts		£29,615.42	£31,286.37	£66,497.99	£25,223.06
~~a~~	~~a~~
Payments out ~~a~~	~~aGG~~	~~GG~~	~~GG~~	~~GG~~	~~GG~~
Payments out Business and Operational Costs ~~a~~		£17,818.70	£17,144.21	£13,419.46	£12,841.81
Accounts Administration	£3,000.00		£6,000.00		£4,500.00
Yearbook, Force4 and Curating
Website, eForce4, Ceremonial	£710.00		_£2,557.00 _	£ 548.00
Rent and Rates	£75.94		_£453.61 _	£ 445.28	£758.14
Postage	£1,576.10			£ 1,495.51	£1,019.79
Insurance	£763.67		_£814.37 _	£ 755.60	£571.40
Branch Costs	£1,500.00			£ 1,250.00
Printing	£1,682.00				£230.00
Telephone			_£143.88 _	£ 100.90	£143.88
Trustees Expenses (Mandatory)	£1,231.29		_£1,141.00 _	£ 3,060.44	£72.84
Other Ceremonial Expenses	£197.40			£ 1,249.50
Office Supplies	£76.51		_£144.89 _	£ 43.00	£69.70
Bank Charges
Subscriptions/Professional Fees	£265.00		_£260.00 _	£ 391.00	£1,169.00
AGM costs	£2,505.00		£2,117.20		£1,018.00
Golf Expenses	£4,235.79		_£3,512.26 _	£ 4,080.23	£3,289.06
J.Coull Award		£0.00	£0.00	£11.51	£23.26
Welfare Support		£9,111.50	£7,366.30	£0.00	£1,500.00
Other Trustee Expenses
Total Payments		£26,930.20	£24,510.51	£13,430.97	£14,365.07
		2024	2023	2022	2021
Receipts - Payments =		£2,685.22	£6,775.86	£53,067.02	£10,857.99
Balance in bank 31/12/2023		£211,555.38	£204,779.52	£151,712.50	£140,854.51
Total Funds accounted foryear end		£214,240.60	£211,555.38	£204,779.52	£151,712.50
Banked at:
Lloyds TSB Current Account		£145,314.20	£145,988.33	£141,965.32	£89,505.24
CCLA Savings Account		£68,926.40	£65,567.05	£62,814.20	£62,207.26
Total Funds in bank atyear end		£214,240.60	£211,555.38	£204,779.52	£151,712.50
Restricted Monies - in bank butnot available for the RFA Association to spend freely.
J Coull Memorial Endowment Fund		£7,513.77	£7,397.77	£7,302.74	£6,295.33
RFA Memorial Fund		£6,759.06	£6,759.06	£6,759.06	£7,479.06
Total Restricted Funds		£14,272.83	£14,156.83	£14,061.80	£13,774.39
Designated Monies in bank but ring-fenced
RFA Summer Ball		£2,200.00	£2,200.00	£2,200.00	£2,200.00
Welfare		£10,000.00	£10,000.00	£9,000.00	£9,000.00
	Golf	£5,000.00	£5,000.00	£5,000.00	£5,000.00
Total Designated Funds		£17,200.00	£17,200.00	£16,200.00	£16,200.00
UN-RESTRICTED FUNDS AVAILABLE AT THE END OF THE YEAR	UN-RESTRICTED FUNDS AVAILABLE AT THE END OF THE YEAR	UN-RESTRICTED FUNDS AVAILABLE AT THE END OF THE YEAR	UN-RESTRICTED FUNDS AVAILABLE AT THE END OF THE YEAR
Total Funds - Restricted Money =		£199,967.77	£197,398.55	£190,717.72	£137,938.11
			Additional Monetary Assets	Plymouth and District Branch	£1,813.36
				Scottish and Newcastle	£634.98
				Solent Branch	£2,901.23
				London	£839.14
				North West	£950.60
				Midlands	£2,008.31
Signed by two trustees on behalf of all the trustees			P M Fry Treasurer		A Morle Chair

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Association (Charity Registration in England and Wales 1093950. In Scotland SC039054)

I report on the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 December 2024 which are set out on pages 1 to 2 attached to the Trustees Annual Report.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) or under Regulation 10(1)(d) of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (the 2006 regulations and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to

• examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 and section 44(1) (c) of Charities and Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 (the 2005 Act);

• to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act, and

• to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent examiner’s report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission and in accordance3 with Regulation 11 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustee for any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a “true and fair view” and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner’s statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention

• (1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements

• to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act and section 44(1)(a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations; and

• to prepare accounts that accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act and section 44 (1)(b) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 9 of the 2006 Regulations

have not been met, or

• (2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed on Original

P A Nicholls MBE MAAT 5 Nursery Road Havant Hants PO9 3BG

1 April 2025