EMILY ASH TRUST
TRUSTEES' REPORT
AND
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
Page 1
EMILY ASH TRUST REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
The Trustees present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31st March 2025.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
REGISTERED CHARITY NO. 1106615 PRINCIPAL ADDRESS 106 Knightwood Crescent New Malden Surrey KT3 5JW
The Trustees who served during the year and subsequently were:-
Mr. T. Rolfe, Chairman Mrs. H. Rolfe Mrs. C. Forrester Mr. P. Antino
The Trustees are assisted by a committed group of volunteers comprising:-
Ms. S. May Mr. M. Rolfe Mr. S. Alboni Mr. A. King Mrs. V Rolfe Mrs N Stevens Mrs N Murtagh Mrs K Wilson Gary Lucas Mrs R Lucas Mrs S Miller
PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS
Bankers TSB Bank PO Box 453 Mitcheldean GL14 9LR Independent Examiner Mr. N. Scott-Kilvert FCCA Corondale Preston Hill Wingham Kent CT3 1BY
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EMILY ASH TRUST REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
(continued)
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The Emily Ash Trust is governed by a Trust Deed dated 29th October 2004. The Trust Deed sets out the objects of the Trust and the way it is to operate. The Trust Deed requires a minimum of three Trustees with power to appoint new Trustees being vested in the existing Trustees. New Trustees are considered on the basis of whether their residence, occupation, employment, knowledge of the area of benefit or personal qualifications would enhance the charity.
During 2026 the Trustees will be considering changing the constitution to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation
RISK MANAGEMENT
The Trustees have examined the risks which the charity faces and confirm that systems have been put into place to mitigate those risks. A comprehensive insurance policy has also been taken out by the charity.
OBJECTS AND ACTIVITIES
The Trust has two main objectives:-
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1) to improve the lives of children who are suffering from leukaemia and other child linked cancers; and
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2) to help improve the lives of members of the family unit or guardians who are supporting such children and who are in need.
The Trust pursues these objectives in respect of children and families in the UK and Ireland and is constantly looking into the best means and methods to achieve these objectives.
In pursuing these objectives, the Trust has entered into a range of activities including:-
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1) providing fun activity days for siblings and parents of children undergoing cancer treatment at local hospitals. This included rock climbing, archery, quad biking, with transport and refreshments provided;
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2) providing in hospital Pamper Days for the families of children suffering from cancer related illnesses;
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3) providing holiday accommodation;
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4) providing trips abroad for the families of children suffering from cancer related illnesses;
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5) providing gifts for children who had drawn up their own wish lists. These included televisions, laptops, weekend breaks and theatre/concert trips;
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6) arranging a Winter Wonderland day at Christmas for families of children with cancer.
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7) supporting bereaved parents with events to bring them together and share experiences;
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8) providing families with the means of being able to spend quality time together.
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EMILY ASH TRUST REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
(continued)
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
The Trust has had another challenging year this year. Lockdown &/or the cost-of-living crises that followed continues to affect people’s attitude to involving themselves in charitable activities and donating. This has been offset in the early part of the year by the fact that we had to reduce expenditure, cancelling some of the more expensive activities so that we could continue helping families with their more day-to-day needs. In the latter part of the year the Trustees agreed we should start to reinstate some of these activities and move us back to the core activities that have previously underpinned our Objectives. At all times we have maintained due regard for the Charity Commission’s public benefit guidance when exercising any powers or duties.
Amongst the highlights;
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We continue to provide valuable breaks for beneficiaries in a cost effective and practical way
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Our Summer event had to be cancelled again this year but we did go ahead with the Winter Wonderland event.
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We have reinstated regular events to support bereaved parents
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We continue to use family breaks to help relieve the stresses of treatment as well as to help reunite families where a child has been lost. Our events supporting children in palliative care continue
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Our relationship with YLvC continues successfully and remains centred on the Royal Marsden in Sutton.
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The crEATe programme continues to be suspended until such time as we can be certain our financial position is sustainable
The input from our volunteers remains huge and greatly appreciated. We owe them great thanks for their support over the years. Sally Miller and we have re-organised our deployment of volunteers as we transition to Charitable Incorporated Organisation during 2026.
The Trust’s website has been reviewed, rebuilt and relaunched during the year and we now have regular updates. Gary Lucas and Nicky Murtagh continue to do a great job with our online presence.
The regular monthly finance practices and controls have continued to work effectively, making sure that all income and expenditure is up to date in the management accounts and available to the Trustees to review.
Fundraising efforts have continued in their different guise. The Annual Ball was again a bigger success than we could have hoped for. The change of venue has proved a great success. We have been able to continue introducing new contacts and supporters through the year. Funds raised in the year were again, much reduced but things started to pick up as the year progressed. We have continued to focus on our development of new fundraising events and encouraging people to challenge themselves with new and unique ways to generate funds. I am delighted to say that this has been successful and towards the end of 2025 this has continued to grow our fundraising income.
We have had amazing support from some of the local businesses and their teams.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The Trust has managed a to maintain its financial position and still carries a reasonable reserve of funds to support activities. Although this figure continues to be lower than previous years, it is a reflection of the unforeseen impacts on our ability to fundraise in the past. However, the team have done amazingly well in finding new events and activities to challenge our supporters, which is starting to bear fruit. It is also in keeping with our philosophy of not holding high reserves but deploying the funds raised rapidly in aid of the intended beneficiaries,
The needs of the families we support haven’t changed, in fact they have escalated, and we have been able to help them on a one-to-one basis, despite the downturn in income.
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PLANS FOR FUTURE YEARS
The Trust continues to build on the activities it manages both to raise funds and to distribute them appropriately. Amongst these are planned to be:
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1) Sponsorship of information booklets etc for families requiring advice and guidance, as required.
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2) Continued programme of Pamper Days, Holidays, Build a Bear events, events for bereaved parents, our Winter Wonderland and Family Day events.
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3) The crEATe programme for teenagers and young adults will be suspended until we see a marked upturn in our fundraising income
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4) Utilising our new website and supporting documentation to maximise the profile and access to our services.
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5) Continued development of links with the local community, support groups as well as new links to local hospitals in addition to the Royal Marsden, ensuring a better reach and profile for the Trust.
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6) Development of new fundraising activities that can help us build regular fundraising support; and
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7) Work to develop a range of new relationships with businesses and clubs to achieve sponsored charity status and participation in corporate giving as well as staff fund raising activity.
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8) We will continue to progress a small-scale relationship with a professional fundraising organisation to see how beneficial this source of funding might be in the future.
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9) On the horizon is a change in the NHS strategy for treating children’s cancer. This will likely mean a move away from the Royal Marsden in Sutton and a major disturbance in our key relationships. The Trustees are considering what this means for the Trust as the details of the likely changes unfold. It will likely mean significant change, but we are in a gradually strengthening position with the best base of volunteer help that we have ever had and feel confident in our ability to adapt and continue with the charities work.
RESERVES POLICY
It is the Trust’s policy to hold sufficient reserves to enable the continued funding of charitable activities in the short term (up to three years) in the event of no future donations being received. As at 31[st] March 2025 reserves totalled £176,398 (2024: £184,403).
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FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
EMILY ASH TRUST REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
(continued)
PUBLIC BENEFIT REQUIREMENT
The Trustees have complied with the duty in Section 4 of the Charities Act 2006 to have regard to guidance published by the Charity Commission concerning the public benefit requirement.
APPROVAL
The Report of the Trustees was approved by the Board of Trustees on 23[rd] January 2026 and signed on its behalf by:-
………………, T. ROLFE, TRUSTEE.
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF
EMILY ASH TRUST
I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31st March 2025 which are set out on pages 7 to 12.
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 43(2) of the Charities Act 1993 (the Act), as amended by section 28 of the Charities Act 2006) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts (under section 43 of the Act, as amended);
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follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners (under section 43(7)(b) of the Act, as amended); and
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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 Commissioners. 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 the seeking of explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and, consequently, I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the trustees have not met the requirements to ensure that:
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proper accounting records have been kept (in accordance with s41 of the Act); and
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accounts have been prepared which agree with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Act; or
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(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Mr. N. Scott-Kilvert FCCA Corondale Preston Hill Wingham Kent CT3 1BY 4[th] January 2026
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EMILY ASH TRUST STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
| UNRESTRICTED FUNDS INCOME FROM: Other trading activities Investments Profit on sale of fixed asset TOTAL EXPENDITURE ON: Raising funds Charitable activities Gifts, holidays, programmes etc. TOTAL NETMOVEMENT IN FUNDS Total funds brought forward TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD |
Note 3 7 4 5 |
2025 £ 135,973 5 - 135,978 135,978 56,870 87,113 143,983 (8,005) 184,403 176,398 ====== |
2024 £ 107,751 4 - 107,755 |
2024 £ 107,751 4 - 107,755 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
107,755 |
||||
51,102 |
||||
61,622 |
||||
| 112,724 | ||||
(4,969) 189,372 |
||||
184,403 ====== |
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EMILY ASH TRUST BALANCE SHEET AT 31ST MARCH 2025
| FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets CURRENT ASSETS Cash at bank and in hand LIABILITIES Creditors: amounts falling due within one year NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL NET ASSETS ====== Represented by: The funds of the Charity Unrestricted funds |
Notes 7 8 |
2025 | £ - 176,398 176,398 ====== 176,398 ====== |
2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ 178,048 (1,650) |
£ 186,003 (1,600) |
£ - 184,403 |
|||
184,403 ====== 184,403 ====== |
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on 23[rd] January 2026 and signed on their behalf by:-
----- Start of picture text -----
T. ROLFE - Trustee
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The notes on pages 9 to 12 form part of these financial statements.
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EMILY ASH TRUST NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Accounting Convention
The Emily Ash Trust meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared 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) (effective 1 January 2015) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006. The Emily Ash Trust meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest pound.
Going Concern
The trustees have assessed whether the use of the going concern basis is appropriate and have considered possible events or conditions that might cast significant doubt on the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern. The trustees have made this assessment for a period of at least one year from the date of approval of the financial statements. In particular the trustees have considered the charity’s forecasts and projections and have taken account of pressures on donation and investment income. After making enquiries the trustees have concluded that there is a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The charity therefore continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing its financial statements.
The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are set out below:
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash held in hand, deposits held at call with banks and cash held as investments.
Income
All incoming resources are recognised in the year in which the Charity is entitled to receipt, the amount can be measured with reasonable certainty and the receipt is probable.
Expenditure
Expenditure is included in the SOFA on an accruals basis.
Expenditure on raising funds are costs incurred in attracting voluntary income to support the charity's activities.
Charitable activities include grants payable to individuals in furtherance of the charitable objects of the trust, together with attributable support costs.
Grants payable are recognised in the year in which the claims have been recognised and approved by the Trustees.
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EMILY ASH TRUST NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Support costs include costs related to the approval and monitoring of grant awards together with central office and administration costs.
Governance costs, which are included within support costs, are costs incurred in connection with the strategic management of the charity and in compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements.
Financial Instruments
The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments. Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic financial instruments are measured at amortised cost.
Judgements and Key Sources of Estimation Uncertainty
In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
The most significant estimates and assumptions which affect the carrying amount of assets and liabilities in the accounts relate to:
Useful Economic Lives - The annual depreciation charge for the caravans is sensitive to change in the estimated useful economic lives and residual value of the asset. This is reassessed annually and amended where necessary to reflect current circumstances. The caravans were sold in 2017-18.
Fund Accounting
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objects of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Taxation
As a registered charity, the Trust generally exempt from Corporation Tax but not from VAT. Irrecoverable VAT is, in accordance with standard accounting practice, included in the cost of those items to which it relates.
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EMILY ASH TRUST NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
1.
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Fixed Assets
Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated at the
Following annual rate in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life:
Caravan
30% per annum on a reducing balance basis
The caravans were sold in 2017-18.
2. STAFF COSTS
There were no employees who were paid in excess of £60,000 (including benefits in kind) in the period.
The charity considers that the key management personnel comprise the trustees. Neither the independent examiner, the trustees, nor any person connected with them, received any remuneration during the period.
3. INCOME FROM OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES
4.
| INCOME FROM OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Donations Fundraising Activities RAISING FUNDS Expenditure relating to the Ball Other Fundraising Expenditure Allocation of Support Costs |
2025 £ 74,419 61,554 135,973 2025 £ 45,068 9,835 1,967 56,870 |
2024 £ 43,159 64,592 107,751 2024 £ 44,728 1,888 4,486 51,102 |
5. GIFTS, HOLIDAYS, PROGRAMMES ETC.
| Gifts and Events for Bereaved Parents Christmas Gifts/Experiences Build a Bear Days Holidays and Other Trips Other Gifts Allocation of Support Costs |
2025 £ 732 22,544 - 1,541 59,283 3,013 87,113 |
2024 £ 344 - 1,249 22,791 31,828 5,410 61,622 |
|---|---|---|
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EMILY ASH TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
6. GOVERNANCE COSTS
Governance costs of £1,650 (2024: £1,600) are included within support costs. These relate solely to the cost of accountancy and bookkeeping.
7. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
| TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS | |
|---|---|
| Cost At 1.4.2024 At 31.3.2025 Depreciation At 1.4.2024 At 31.3.2025 Net book value At 31.3.2025 At 31.3.2024 |
Caravans |
| £ - - ===== - - ===== - ===== - ===== |
The caravans were sold in 2017-18.
- CREDITORS: amounts falling due within one year
| Accruals | 2025 2024 £ £ 1,650 1,600 ==== ==== |
2024 |
|---|---|---|
Included in the above creditors are financial liabilities of £1,650 (2024: £1,600) measured at amortised cost.