ANNUAL REPORT 2024-2025 spinal Muscular Atrophyuk SUPPORTING • INFORMING • ADVOCATING
The finances of the charity remain strong despite the pressures faced by the UK charity sector. This is down to you, our incredible and generous supporters as well as our amazing fundraising team. 2024 was our most successful fund raising year ever with so many fantastic fundraiser events and grants from trusts and foundations.
Chair’s Report
It is amazing to think that this year, 2025, is the 40th anniversary of our charity. Founded in 1985 as the Jennifer Trust and merging with the SMA Trust in 2018, SMA UK is the leading charity in the UK for the SMA community. We have achieved so much during these last 40 years and will continue to be here for all those affected by SMA into the future.
We received our second year of funding from The Motability Foundation enabling us to deliver the SMArt grants. We also secured a legacy payment from the Edward Gosling Foundation which will help us well into the future.
2024/25 was another busy and demanding year for our incredible team and I’m extremely proud to look back at the successes and achievements that we have had over the last 12 months.
Four of our trustees ended their terms in office and I would like to say a special thanks to Julian Fiorentini, Michael Collins, Toby Mildon and Ros Quinlivan for their time and expertise whilst serving on the Board. In November we welcomed two new trustees, Hassan Sobati and Dan Worrall and we are excited to have them as part of our Board.
In line with our strategy, ‘Building a Future Together’, supporting anyone living with SMA remains at the core of what we do. Our exceptional Support Team continue to be the backbone of the charity providing information, practical, and emotional support to countless families across the UK. In October, in partnership with Rareminds, SMA UK launched a free confidential counselling service to support anyone affected by SMA.
I’d like to thank my fellow trustees for all the time they give as part of the Board and as part of the charity. I would also like to recognise and thank all of my colleagues at the charity who work so tirelessly to ensure that SMA UK delivers for our community.
Turning to advocacy, we continue to campaign for i[i] SMA to be added to the Newborn Screening a We are in a strong position but it is important we don’t I a 4 Programme and advocating for NHS funding for both hI ifi . : | : become complacent. There are many headwinds in Nusinersen and Risdiplam to continue throuhg the world at the moment and we must remain = i _ . consultations leading to their review in being = F | i : vigilant to the impacts on the economy, fo, a postponed to late 2025. This has allowed the team to => society, and our charity. |. a gather more information from the community on how positively treatment can affect the outcomes of people living with SMA. Furthermore, after several years of planning, in July 2024, we formally launched ,oon 2 f the SMA Care UK project working in partnership with John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre and Newcastle University. Mark Dearlove
Chair of the Board of Trustees
With the website and social media platforms providing regular, up to date and informative PIF accredited information, our community is in the best position to make informed choices and to feel connected with other members of the SMA community.
CEO’s Report
As we approach SMA UK’s 40th year as a charity, I am so proud to look back on 2024/25, particularly the work the SMA UK team have done on behalf of the SMA community.
In July 2024, after months of consultation, we successfully launched our new 4-year strategy: Building a Future Together (2024- 2028). The strategy aims to build on our strong foundations, experiences and expertise to ensure we deliver the best outcomes for the SMA community and make sure that supporting anyone affected by SMA is at the core of everything we do.
Some of the most recent highlights include the changes we made under our Flexi Grant programme as well as introducing a new free counselling service for those affected by SMA.
I can’t thank our incredible supporters and donors enough for all their endeavors over the last 12 months, from sky dives, marathons and other challenges. Without your willingness to go above and beyond, we wouldn’t be able to carry out our vital work.
Giles Lomax Chief Executive Officer
ADVOCACY UPDATE ]111
SMA REACH Steering Committee updates
Portia Thorman (Head of Advocacy and Community) continues to represent SMA UK within the REACH (Research and Clinical Hub) UK Steering Committee.
The SMA REACH UK hub is a strong national network of expert clinicians that supports research and clinical care for people with SMA. It helps develop and improve ways to measure how well treatments work - making sure these measures are useful for both patients and clinical trials. As well as discussing current and evolving issues in the SMA field, the steering committee also review applications to access clinical data for research purposes.
Throughout the year, Portia has been sharing the views of the UK SMA community, gathered through collaboration with SMA UK’s support team, WhatsApp groups, surveys and in-person community events to help ensure that research focuses on the real needs and priorities of people living with SMA.
Adults' perspective workshops and report
We hosted two insightful workshops in Manchester (17th January 2025) and London (28th February 2025), bringing adults living with SMA and specialist clinicians together to discover adults’ perspectives of clinical care across the UK.
The outcome, the “Adults Perspectives Report”, focuses on the experiences, priorities, and recommendations for adults living with SMA in the UK. It highlights the challenges faced in transitioning from paediatric to adult care, the gaps in clinical and social care, and the need for improved standards of care (SoC) tailored to adults. It was concluded that a single, comprehensive Standards of Care for adults document is needed to guide best practice, reduce inequities, and support funding for Multidisciplinary Team clinics.
It should reflect the social model of disability, focus on individual needs, and promote collaboration between health and social care teams.
Iryna Bernyk who attended the workshop said: ‘As an adult living with SMA, the workshop was truly special for me. It was a fantastic opportunity to not only share my own journey as an adult living with SMA, but, just as importantly, to meet and connect with such an inspiring group of people.
The sense of community, shared determination, and the drive to make a difference were so uplifting. It’s moments like these that remind me how powerful it is to be part of this network – not just fighting together, but also learning from each other, supporting one another, and pushing for meaningful change.
I left feeling more connected, more hopeful, and incredibly grateful for being part of such a strong, supportive network.”
‘ » a . 4 Newborn Screening* ' 7a aE
UK Newborn Screening Commitee (NSC) Progress towards an In-Service Evaluation (ISE)
In February 2025, the UK National Screening Committee (NSC) published an update on the In-Service Evaluation (ISE) for SMA newborn screening. The ISE, similar to a pilot, will screen a percentage of UK newborns over a set period to generate UK-specific evidence. It will inform a final decision on whether SMA should be added to the national newborn screening programme.
To support the ISE delivery, the NSC has established sub-groups focused on laboratories, data and methodology and the clinical pathway. This includes developing parent/professional information. SMA UK is contributing to several of these groups, bringing in vital patient experience.
Delays and Advocacy
Despite planning progress and the commitment of all those involved in the Partnership Board, at the time of writing there was still no confirmed start date for the ISE. We understand the delays have been largely due to the Government’s spending review.
SMA UK, alongside Muscular Dystrophy UK, the SMA REACH UK network, and the Newborn Screening Alliance, is actively pushing for progress. We’ve written to politicians, engaged with the NSC, and raised awareness through meetings, petitions, articles, and public speaking. We're also working with the Scottish government to help prevent inequality in access across the UK.
The Lancet Letter
On 7th February 2025, The Lancet published a powerful letter from leading SMA clinicians, highlighting the stark differences in outcomes between babies born with SMA in the UK and those in countries with newborn screening. The letter shares harrowing statistics, showing that while UK babies treated after symptom onset often face severe disability or death, children in countries like Belgium, treated pre-symptomatically, are thriving.
We urged the SMA community to share this letter and contact their MPs to demand faster action. SMA UK
remains committed to securing SMA newborn screening for every baby born in the UK.
NICE Multi Technology Assessment (MTA) of Risdiplam and Spinraza
On 19th April 2024, SMA UK, in collaboration with other patient organisations and in consultation with NICE, led a joint response to the External Assessment Group (EAG)’s report evaluating the clinical and economic evidence for Spinraza and Risdiplam.
ENMC Workshop
The ENMC Workshop SMN-related neurodevelopmental disorder: type 1 Spinal Muscular Atrophy and the brain was held from 31st January – 2nd February 2025.
Portia Thorman, brought the patient perspective to this international expert workshop. It was highlighted that some children with SMA Type 1, who are now living longer thanks to new treatments, may experience developmental challenges such as speech delays, learning difficulties, or behavioral differences.
It was agreed at the workshop that early monitoring, timely therapy (especially speech therapy), and strong family support can make a big difference. Families should be encouraged to share concerns with healthcare providers, who can track development over time and tailor support.
Experts are now working together internationally to: Launch a global survey on developmental challenges in SMA
- Develop better care and diagnostic guidelines Involve families in shaping future research and support systems
These efforts aim to ensure every child with SMA gets the care and opportunities they deserve.
We submitted our response in September 2024. NICE acknowledged the concerns raised by SMA UK, partner organisations, clinicians, and pharmaceutical companies, including that the EAG report:
Did not give equal weight to real-world evidence compared to clinical trials.
Focused narrowly on mobility outcomes, overlooking SMA's broader impact on daily life.
Did not account for the inherent limitations in trial size and duration in rare diseases like SMA, highlighting the importance of ongoing realworld data collection.
Overlooked the need for individualised treatment options.
-
Failed to value disease stabilisation as a major positive outcome.
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Relied on quality-of-life measures that are too limited to reflect the full benefits of treatment.
In December 2024, NICE postponed its committee meeting on the clinical and cost effectiveness of the drugs and commissioned a new EAG report to build on the original.
Partnerships
SMA UK worked with a number of our partner organisations including Scope, the Disabled Childrens Partnership and Genetic Alliance throughout 2024 on a wide range of campaigns, raising awareness of key issues such as rights on transport, inclusion in education and the need for faster diagnosis.
In December 2024, SMA UK joined the Wheelchair Alliance, an organisation that represents the voices of wheelchair users. We will work with them in calls for a more integrated approach to wheelchair provision and greater prioritisation of wheelchair services in the NHS.
SMA Care UK is a 3-year project established by clinicians and patient groups to update and implement UK Standards of Care for people of all ages living with SMA.
The current Standards of Care for SMA were written before disease-modifying treatments began to emerge and were published in two articles in 2017. A Family Friendly Guide was published in the following year. They covered a wide range of topics such as nutrition and bone health through to respiratory care. The new updated standards (SMA Care UK) will reflect how developments around treatments have changed the care and management needs of people of all ages living with SMA.
Its goal is for this care to be accessible to all who have SMA, wherever they live and whichever hospital they attend. People living with SMA are central to this work. Given the wide-ranging impact of SMA, there are many areas of care to consider. Respiratory, hip, spine, and transition to adult services will be the first topics to be reviewed.
In July 2024, Vanessa Christie-Brown was appointed as the SMA Care UK Project Manager and will be working in partnership with John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Newcastle University. . Vanessa will be working with a team of healthcare professionals and patient representatives to bring the project to fruition.
INFORMATION,- UPDATE trpplw SMA TPEATMENTS: ARIGHT, NOTA PRIVILEGE
PIF Tick Information Guides
Our twenty-seven information guides about SMA and related care, treatment and management topics are all available on our website. We send out printed copies when asked to do so.
Each guide is reviewed by experts and readers interested in the topic. This review is an important part of our information production system which we follow when we produce these guides.
The system supports our aim of producing accurate, evidence-based, up to date and accessible information. It was again accredited by the Patient Information Forum (PIF) this year.
All these guides carry the PIF Tick. The top four during this report period were:
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|Looking After Your|Adult Onset SMA|
|Child SMA Type 1|Diagnosis and Care|
|Page Views|3,002|Page Views|1,464|
|Active Users|2,144|Active Users|1,179|
|Symptoms and|The Genetics of 5qSMA|
|effects of 5q SMA|
|Page Views|1,602|
|Page Views|1,463|Active Users|1,178|
|Active Users|1,041|
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We continue to produce many other pages following similar principles. These include information about research and treatments with the top three areas in this section as follows:
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|---|---|---|
|Page|Page Views|Active Users|
|Zolgensma / Onasemnogene Abeparvovec|2,008|1,524|
|Spinraza/ Nusinersen|1,472|928|
|Evrysdi / Risdiplam|1,319|1,025|
|Our website pages about day-to-day living with SMA cover a wide range of topics from nursery and school|
|to travel, sport, equipment and adaptations, financial benefits and many more. Each section focuses on|
|topics of relevance to the age group and were accessed as follows:|
|Page|Page Views|Active Users|
|Adults|3,832|1,113|
|Teenagers|3,152|897|
|Children|1,840|1,014|
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Page
Our website pages about day-to-day living with SMA cover a wide range of topics from nursery and school to travel, sport, equipment and adaptations, financial benefits and many more. Each section focuses on topics of relevance to the age group and were accessed as follows:
Webinars
When members of the SMA community raise questions that need expert answers that we don’t have, we do what we can to find them. When possible, this results in a webinar hosted by a community member.
This year we were asked many questions about different types of diet. We were fortunate to find two experts willing to share their knowledge across three webinars that were released in February 2025. At the time of writing, they had been viewed a total of 148 times. There have been other topics where we have not had such success with finding an expert, but we haven’t given up and will keep looking.
*~ il a We hope the range of information we offer continues - * » a aa to respond to the needs of people new to and living — with the condition.
‘ ‘The support & information F i section was very helpful
SUPPORTI SERVICE UPDATE Il I: Ih, IA,
Adaptions
Supporting members of the SMA Community remains at the core of everything we do at SMA UK.
This year our Support Team have provided high quality advice, information and practical and emotional support to 492 families and individuals across the whole of the UK.
The chart to the right shows our top ten enquiries. Other enquires for support where in the following areas; Newley Diagnosed, Counselling, Financial benefits, Treatments, Housing, Social Connections, Supporting Letters, Legal Support, Orthotics, Vehicles, Travel, Bereavement, Transition, Advocacy, Clinical care and support crisis, Car seat, CHC, Hydrotherapy, Insurance, Mental health, Mobility, Newborn screening, Nutrition, Home visit request, Safeguarding, Sibling support and transport.
Medical
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Resources
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Care and Support (child)
New Diagnosis (Type 1)
Education/EHCP Genetics/Testing
Equipment /- | — er! vi re - 4 Care and Support |, Ew glee | i c ta i f > — Emotional Support and Info Grants
Enquiries
2024 - 2025
Other Enquiries
The support team have also responded to 93 enquires from healthcare professionals:
The support provided by the SMA UK Support Team has been incredibly a i important to me. I received a ‘> significant reduction in my care budget which severely impacted my i =; independence and quality of life. As soon as I reached out to the Team about this, they demonstrated their dedication to providing me with | support – meeting with me on f numerous occasions, giving me very useful advice, carefully writing 7 supporting letters, guiding me through the process.
25 enquiries 2 enquiries Resources Care and Support (Child) 12 enquiries Emotional Support FCG Legal Medical 11 enquiries New Diagnosis (type 2) Housing Supporting letter
9 enquiries New Diagnosis (type 1)
1 enquiry CHC Equipment FCG2 Grants Mailing/first contact New family/contact with others (LED) Ongoing support SMA - SMARD
8 enquiries Care and Support (Adult)
This made an enormous difference in helping me through this difficult time and resulted in a re-assessment being performed for my care needs. I am really grateful for their commitment and continued support.
5 enquiries Car Seat
3 enquiries Education
Transition Workshop
We understand that there are many questions and complexities that arise when a young person is transitioning into adulthood. Therefore, we were delighted to be able to welcome thirteen young people aged 13 – 18 years and their eighteen family members and their carers to this interactive day of free workshops in April 2024.
Hosted by our Support Team and five young adult volunteers at the Midlands Arts Centre, the event was attended by our guest speakers who led sessions that explored a wide range of topics.
Speakers covered key transition topics including the T- KASH framework (Marie McGee), accessing adult health and social care (Jane O’Connor & Lisa Cutsey), housing options (David Abbey), managing PAs at university (Tim & Christopher Pool), university support (Kate Waugh, Birmingham University), driving and transport adaptations (Dominic Hibbin & Becky Brown, RDAC), the Duke of Edinburgh Award (Sarah Lalieu & Matthew Lanham), and accessible travel (Cheryl Everitt).
Attendee feedback: “Huge thank you to @sma_uk for a great day, and for introducing us to people and opportunities we’d never dream of”
SMArt Moves
Our SMArtMoves grant ran for the second year thanks to The Motability Foundation. This grant has enabled us to support more people living with SMA in purchasing wheelchairs and wheelchair adaptations.
From 1st April 2024 – 31st March 2025 we supported 65 children and adults with new wheelchairs and adaptations.
By working alongside other grant giving charities, we have supported adults to secure funds to purchase new powered wheelchairs.
We have also enabled families to access their child’s first manual or powered chair.
The grant scheme is split into three sections:
SMArt Moves 1.1
Offering grants to fully fund powered wheelchairs and manual wheelchairs that cost up to a maximum of £5,000.
SMArt Moves 1.2
Offering grants of £5,000 towards powered wheelchairs and manual wheelchairs that cost over £5,000.
SMArt Moves 2
Offering grants up to £2,500 for other mobility equipment, including risers, batteries etc.
Rareminds Counselling Service
In October 2024, we launched a new pilot counselling service for all those affected by SMA.
Working in partnership with Rareminds, a specialist, nonprofit, rare disease counselling and psychotherapy service, we have been allocated two SMA counsellors offering six to twelve sessions to individuals or couples affected by SMA.
Our dedicated Rareminds counsellors provide a safe, confidential relationship where you can explore difficult thoughts or feelings and consider new ways of working through your difficulties.
FlexiGrant programme
In July 2024 we relaunched our FlexiGrant program to the SMA Community. There are two grants:
During the pilot a total of 14 individuals accessed the service, 10 who have SMA, 3 parents and 1 partner, with 101 counselling sessions provided. Following a full review of the pilot we are continuing to work in partnership with Rareminds to provide this service.
FlexiGrant 1: A maximum grant of £500 to help with the costs of accessing NHS funded treatment or assessment e.g. travel costs.
FlexiGrant 2: A maximum grant of £600 to assist with buying items that support independence and alleviate hardship.
From the 1st April 2024 – 31st March 2025, we supported 128 people with these grants totalling £40,401.18
Family feedback:
“Thank you so much for the award of this grant. It is greatly appreciated, and we are blown away by the quick turnaround and generosity of SMA UK!”
“Thank you very much to the SMA UK staff for all your help and support, not just with these grants but on the whole. This charity supports the community so well and without the Support Team I'm not sure where my family would be.”
“I found the sessions so helpful. I have had support in the past but never felt they understood / I could talk about my disability and I got exactly what I needed from the sessions. I was supported through ongoing as well as current issues and feel in a much better place now going forward being able to manage challenges. I am very grateful and would highly recommend to others” - Client
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Illj 41
SMA UK Ambassadors
In September 2024 we welcomed two volunteer Charity Ambassadors on board! Molly Everitt and Sanah Rauf are working with SMA UK to help spread awareness about SMA and support the important work we do.
Hi, I’m Molly – one of SMA UK’s first Ambassadors! I’m 21 and studying Law with Criminology at the University of Liverpool.
Diagnosed with SMA Type 3 as a toddler, I’ve been connected with SMA UK ever since, and they’ve supported me and my family in countless ways.
Thanks to their SMArt Moves grant, I now have a lifechanging wheelchair that’s boosted my independence.
I’m passionate about raising awareness around accessibility, especially in music venues, and I’m so proud to support a charity that means so much to me. I’m excited to see where this Ambassador role takes me!
Hi, I’m Sanah Rauf – a 27-yearold artist, content creator, and proud SMA UK Ambassador! I have SMA Type 2 and use my platforms on Instagram and TikTok to share my journey, raise awareness, and inspire others.
With a background in Film and TV, I now run art workshops, speak at events, and create content that promotes self-belief and resilience.
Living with SMA has taught me that mental strength matters most, and I’m passionate about helping others with SMA feel fearless and empowered.
Thank you to everyone who came and enjoyed our Picnic in the Parks in 2024!
We loved seeing so many old faces as well as welcoming so many new ones to these fantastic afternoons. We hosted six Picnics in the summer at venues in Yorkshire, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Essex and Belfast.
269 people (68 families) attended the events which brought together families and individuals living with SMA for an opportunity to network, share information and have fun!
It was lovely to meet up with people from last year, and new families too. It’s so great to build those connections, and a support system so you don’t feel so alone. - Attendee
ii
“All the experiences were amazing. The staff, the activities, the accommodation and the food.”
“Such an amazing weekend and so lovely to catch up with old friends and meet new ones! An absolute highlight of the year! Being able to catch up with some of my closest friends is great as it's hard for us all to meet up as a big group throughout the year and finding somewhere that meets all of our needs.”
Resonate Adults
Over the weekend of the 26th –29th July 2024, 20 adults living with SMA and their carers attended our third Resonate weekend at the Calvert Trust, Exmoor.
The sun shone and the weekend was packed with fun activities such as kayaking, abseiling, bike riding, and archery! The weekend was an opportunity for attendees to meet new people as well as old friends and have fun in the outdoors!
For twins, Sam and Alex, this was the first holiday they had without family support. They said, “This is one of the first holidays with just PA’s and they have been absolutely amazing it has been a big boost to our independence.”
“Absolutely amazing time and really enjoyed all the activities and always meets my expectations.”
“It's just been a fantastic opportunity for us as a family. There are very few opportunities that we get to have as a family, but also with other families of children with similar conditions in wheelchairs where we can do activities that everybody else gets to enjoy all the time. Without SMA UK we would probably never have met these other families. It's so nice to see the children just whizzing around together, having fun!” - Attendee and parent of child with SMA
Resonate Kids
During the 3rd–16th September 2024 we hosted our first Resonate for children at the Calvert Trust in the Lake District! 15 young people and children living with SMA attended, along with their parent/carer, enjoying similar experiences and activities to the adult's weekend such as archery, swimming and abseiling.
Living with SMA Podcast
Our Living with SMA podcast is an opportunity for the SMA Community to share and discuss relevant topics about living with SMA and disability in general. Working closely with the community and key contributors, we produce regular podcasts that are shared across various digital platforms.
Six new episodes were released this year from “Getting ready for University” to “Motherhood, Parenting with SMA”
During this reporting period we there has been 789 podcast downloads
SMA UK WhatsApp Community Networks
Our Community WhatsApp groups continue to grow in numbers, offering a space to share knowledge and experiences as well as have general conversations with likeminded people.
Our adult groups have become much more active following the adult workshops in January and February 2025, with 10 new members joining the WhatsApp community as a result.
The Families Network has also been especially active, providing invaluable help and support to newly diagnosed members as they join the community.
The Adults WhatsApp group has added 16 new members this year, bringing the total to 40.
The Families WhatsApp group has added 36 new members this year, bringing the total to 110.
Biogen’s new exercise app
Working alongside leading specialist physiotherapists we assisted Biogen in creating a new exercise app for people living with SMA.
The app is aimed at both children and adults and consists of exercises that can be done in the home environment. All exercises have been chosen based on . level of function and age
Read more about the app and download it at: smauk.org.uk/izcz
The ChariSMA Network (for teenagers) currently has 33 members. Recently, 8 members have transitioned to the Young Adults/Adults Network.
The Young Adults WhatsApp group has added 7 new members this year, bringing the total to 49.
NEW! a The Grandparents WhatsApp group has added 26 new members this year, bringing the total to 26.
FUNDRAISIN UPDATE
All of SMA UK’s achievements, whether it’s delivering vital support services, producing accessible information, or advocating for better care are only possible thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors and fundraisers. We are deeply and sincerely grateful for every individual, family, organisation, and foundation who chooses to support our mission. Their dedication enables us to continue our work and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by Spinal Muscular Atrophy.
Looking ahead, it is crucial that we maintain a strong and sustainable foundation of financial support. In order to continue responding effectively to the evolving needs of the SMA Community, and to ensure that individuals and families living with SMA receive the help and resources they deserve, our fundraising income must remain both consistent and resilient. Ongoing support from donors and fundraisers is not just appreciated, it is essential to our ability to grow, adapt, and deliver lasting impact.
In 2024/25, through various fundraising activities, grants and donations our raised income was £1,616,553.
Pharma restricted £264,147.00
Trusts unrestricted £81,808.00
Trusts restricted £311,018.00 National Lottery restricted £120,035.00
Trustee event £133,317.00
Motability restricted £239,000.00
Consultancy £4,087.00
Community £238,577.00
Individual Giving £71,141.00
Gift Aid £38,127.00
Legacy £149,250.00
Interest £5,702.00
Merchandise Sales £3,389.00
Corporate unrestricted £30,235.00
#KnowNoBounds campaign
The KnowNoBounds campaign was founded by Josh Wintersgill to raise awareness about the urgent need for greater accessibility outdoors for disabled people. Driven by a vision of inclusion and empowerment, the campaign also aimed to raise funds to purchase an all-terrain wheelchair that would be available for members of the SMA Community to use.
On 15th June 2024, Josh’s campaign partner, Maxwell McKnight, undertook an extraordinary challenge — climbing Mount Snowdon in an X8 off-road wheelchair. Supported by a dedicated and enthusiastic team, Maxwell completed the climb in an impressive 6.5 hours, demonstrating not only the power of determination but also the potential of inclusive technology.
We were thrilled to celebrate this incredible achievement at a launch event hosted in March 2025 at the Stelios Foundation, one of the generous donors to the campaign. During the event, we proudly unveiled the X8 off-road wheelchair, which will be made available for community hire in 2025, giving individuals with SMA the opportunity to explore and enjoy outdoor environments more freely and independently.
Our new X8 wheelchair has been called "Limitless" in honour and loving memory of Clare Gray, a Trustee for SMA UK and advocate for all those living with a disability.
SMA Awareness month 2024
We relaunched our SMA UK Teddy with a competition to name the bear. SMArty the Aware Bear was very popular, and we were delighted to see so many of the community sending in fantastic photos of SMArty being taken on travels across the world!
The Big Give
We were delighted to be selected to take part in the matched funding campaign The Big Give Christmas Challenge once again and we exceeded our fundraising target of £30,000. Our special thanks to those supporters who pledged to make up our ‘matching pot’ for making this possible.
Community Events
We received incredible support from the community, who took part and arranged events all over the country to support SMA UK. The London Marathon and Great North Run continue to be popular events, and we have also seen fundraisers being creative with ideas from family fun days to Himalayan Treks!
Trusts and Foundations
We are forever grateful for the grants we receive from Foundations and Trusts. Both restricted and unrestricted funding ensure that we can continue to offer various workshops, outdoor activities and FlexiGrants to the SMA Community.
DI COMMU PDATE, TIONS spinal Muscular Atrophyuk Spinal hlUSCI /or 4trophJvuk
Digital -~ Comms in
Social Media Highlights
This year, we continued using our social channels to raise awareness, share real stories, and support the SMA community. Our focus stayed on honest, accessible content, and we saw steady growth across all platforms.
Instagram was our fastest-growing channel with a 12.6% increase in followers, thanks to regular and engaging posts. Facebook remained our biggest community space, growing by 2.4%, while YouTube saw a 15.4% boost in subscribers as more people tuned into episodes of the “Living with SMA” Podcast and informative webinar videos. LinkedIn and X also grew, helping us stay visible in policy, research, and advocacy spaces.
Our most engaging content continued to be personal stories from families and individuals with SMA. Campaigns like SMA Awareness Month in August brought great cross-platform engagement, and we’re seeing the most impact when our community leads the conversation.
Looking ahead, we aim to focus more on short-form video, gathering video content from our upcoming community events. As well as sharing more information about the kind of support our Community Support Team can offer.
A huge thanks to everyone who shared, liked, and supported us on socials this year, your voices are at the heart of everything we do.
SMA Matters & e-newsletters
In 2024, we continued to keep our community informed and connected through regular updates. We published two editions of SMA Matters, our biannual magazine, in April and September. These magazines share a mix of news, community stories, research updates, expert advice, and helpful information to support people living with SMA and those around them.
In addition, we send out monthly e-newsletters. These allow us to stay in touch more often, providing quick updates about what’s happening in the SMA community, and plenty of opportunities for people to get involved with fundraising.
48,453 X Impressions
402,279 Facebook Reach
3,889 SMA Matters Subscribers
3,736
E-News 110,611 Subscribers Instagram Reach
42,172 Youtube Views 1625.4 Youtube Watch time (hours)
OPERATIONS UPDATE •*
Strengthening Our Digital Infrastructure and Advancing Operational Efficiency
In response to the growing threat of cyber-attacks, we made the strategic decision to review our cybersecurity policies and strengthen our digital defenses. This initiative included a comprehensive upgrade of our firewall systems and antivirus software.
Our efforts culminated on 6 January 2025, when SMA UK achieved Cyber Essentials certification. This UK Government-backed scheme helps organisations protect themselves against the vast majority of common cyber threats. Organisations with Cyber Essentials controls in place make 92% fewer cyber insurance claims, demonstrating the scheme’s realworld value.
This certification offers our community the assurance that SMA UK takes cybersecurity seriously and is actively working to keep their data safe. While no system can ever be entirely immune to attack, SMA UK is now better equipped than ever to mitigate cyber risks.
In line with our broader digital strategy, we’ve also completed a major upgrade of our e-commerce platform. Our shop is now integrated with Shopify, replacing the legacy system previously hosted at smauk.org.uk. Shopify is a global leader in e- commerce solutions for small to mid-sized organisations.
This move delivers both cost savings and enhanced functionality, while also ensuring full compliance with PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) offering greater security and peace of mind for those making purchases through our online store.
We have also continued to roll out our IT-for-Staff Strategy, launched last year. This multi-year programme focuses on modernising staff technology across the charity. We began by replacing the oldest laptop computers - some of which were too outdated to run supported versions of Microsoft Windows.
This phased refresh will continue over the next three years, allowing us to manage costs efficiently by spreading investment across multiple financial years.
To round off our progress this year, our IT & Operations team has made significant strides in automating key business processes. This year, we've implemented automation in the approval of Flexible Grants and the way we manage credit card expenditure across the organisation. These enhancements reduce manual effort, increase accuracy, and support our goal of operational excellence.
Staff Team
As of 1st April 2024 – 31st March 2025
Giles Lomax – CEO
Lucy de’Lemos - Head of Development and Comms Rebecca Lewis – Fundraising Manager Yvonne Wright – Fundraising Administrator Stacey Shillingford – Trust Fundraising Officer Bec Noy – Digital Communications Lead Michele Phillips – Head of Support Jo Spicer – Community Support Practitioner Claire Holdcroft - Community Support Practitioner Becci Howell - Community Support Practitioner Nicola Beer - Community Support Practitioner Ally Allen – Community Support Grants Officer Portia Thorman – Head of Advocacy and Community Liz Ryburn – Information Lead Gary Edgecombe – Community Services Officer Vanessa Christie-Brown – SMA Care UK Project Manager Martin Penning - Operations Manager Lorna Penning – Accounting Administration Dr James Sleigh – Scientific Research Correspondent Luis Canto E Castro (last day 31st May 2024) Libby Roper (last day 29th May 2024)
Our Trustees
Mark Dearlove – Chair of Trustees Katherine Jackson – Treasurer
With special thanks to :
Anne Marie Childs Srinivas Madipalli Alistair Emslie Smith
Julian Fiorentini (Resigned 24th June 2024) Lauren West
Yvette Edwards
Michael Collins (Resigned 31st December 2024) Toby Mildon (Resigned 25th March 2025) Rosaline Quinlivan (Resigned 28th Feb 2025) Tracey Jane Bailey Burnley Ben Williams
Maryann Aspinall Jennie Sheehan
Ross Hovey (Resigned 31st December 2024) Dr Hassan Sobati Daniel Worrall
SMA_UK
sma_uk
Spinal Muscular Atrophy UK
Unit 9, Shottery Brook Office Park, Timothy’s Bridge Road, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 9NR office@smauk.org.uk | 01789 267520
Registered Charity Number 1106815
01789 267 520 office@smauk.org.uk smauk.org.uk
, AX#screenTodayForSMA Atrophy FINANCIAL REVIEW 2024- 2025
TREASURERS REPORT
Income for the year was £1,624k an increase of 28% on the prior year. Revenue was driven primarily by donations from the community of £470k due to tremendous fundraising efforts. The charity also benefited from a large legacy endowment of £200k from the Edward Gosling Foundation and legacy income of £149k.
Significant grant income was received all of which is restricted funding: the second year grant of 239k from the Motability Foundation as part of a programme of wheelchair and mobility equipment support for people living with SMA as well as grants for SMA Care UK of £162k and working with SMA of £120k.
The total pharmaceutical funding received during the year was £264k the majority of which is restricted for SMA Care UK. Pharmaceutical funding was 16% of total income compared to 13% in the prior year. Specific donations received in 2024/5 were Roche £114k, Biogen £90k, Novartis £50k and Scholar Rock £10k. We are committed to transparency on pharmaceutical funding and ensure that we do not accept funding from any party if we feel it will place the charity under undue pressure to act in a way that does not support or compromises our charitable objectives or independence.
Expenditure on fundraising increased by £80k or 39% on prior year due largely to expenditure required to run revenue generating fundraising events.
Overall, there has been an increase in expenditure in the year of £422k or 45% due largely to the grant funded projects which are serving the SMA community. The proportion of SMA UK costs that were spent on its charitable purpose, our value or pence in the pound, was 72p with the majority of resources focused on the provision of support to the SMA community and research.
Our net income for 2024/25 was a surplus of £264k compared to £326k in the prior year. The majority of the 2024/5 surplus relates to restricted funds grants provided by Motability for the 3 year equipment programme, Pharmaceutical support for SMA Care and various community engagement projects. The surplus is therefore committed to services to be provided in 2025/6 and subsequent years. As a result, SMA UK has finished the year with a strong cash position of £1,196k, £660k of which is restricted. The charity is operating within its reserves policy and the board will continue to monitor activities and reserves very carefully.
SMA UK’s spending is broadly divided between information provision, support and research - our charitable purpose - and fundraising and governance. We aim to maximise spending on our core purpose and ensure that other costs are carefully monitored. This year, expenditure on our core purpose charitable activities increased by £335k or 52% due to increased expenditure on the projects Motability, SMA Care, Know no Bounds and community events all of which utilised restricted funding.
Katharine Jackson Treasurer
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES For the Year Ended 31 March 2025
The trustees present their report with the Future plans financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025.
We will continue to: advocate for access to the new drug treatments, representing the views of the SMA Community to regulatory authorities and pharmaceutical companies; monitor the roll out of NHS programmes and pharmaceutical initiatives supporting individuals seeking access. We will continue to provide and further develop our information, outreach and support services and opportunities for people in the SMA Community to connect with each other. Our fundraising efforts will need to achieve income levels that will enables us to achieve our goals. We will continue to adapt our working practices to ensure they are safe for both the SMA Community and our staff and trustees.
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 As stated in its Memorandum and Articles of Association, Spinal Muscular Atrophy UK is established for:
FINANCIAL REVIEW The relief of people living with Spinal Financial position Muscular Atrophy and related medical See Treasurers Report from Katharine Jackson, conditions; Treasurer.
Investment policy The relief of persons who are in need after No investments are currently held by the experiencing a bereavement or loss due to Charity. The investment policy is reviewed Spinal Muscular Atrophy; and annually. The promotion of research into the causes Reserves policy and treatment of Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Restricted reserves will always be applied in accordance with the Trust/donor's award specification. Where there is no specific budget, an element or general (core) The Trustees confirm that they have referred overheads will be recovered against those to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's General Guidance on Public reserves. The percentage recovery date is a matter of judgement; however, costs allocated Benefit when reviewing the Charity's aims and will be reasonable, proportionate, justifiable objectives and in planning future activities. and transparent.
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.
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE A detailed overview of the charity achievement and performance can be found
Unrestricted cash reserves should be not less than three months of unrestricted expenditure, based on the most recent three-months of unrestricted expenditure.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
The Charity is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association and constitutes as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation.
Appointment of Trustees
Trustees are recruited as required to fill specific gaps and to complement the management experience of the Board of Trustees. Appointments are made in accordance with the Articles of Association, after the appointment has been approved by the resolution of Trustees.
Organisational structure
All policy, strategy and financial decisions relating to the Charity have to be formally approved by the Board of Directors. The Board meets six times a year on a bi-monthly basis. Three of these meetings are held at the charity's offices in Stratford upon Avon, alternating with meetings held by telephone conferencing.
Risk management
The Trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the Charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error.
Trustees
Dr H Sobati (appointed 21.11.24) Dr R Quinlivan (resigned 28.2.25) T J Mildon (resigned 25.3.25) M T Dearlove Mrs K M Jackson M P Collins (resigned 31.12.24) Ms L E J West Dr A M Emslie-Smith Dr A M Childs Mrs K Y Edwards J M Fiorentini (resigned 24.6.24) S Madipalli Mrs T J B Burnley B H Williams Mrs M M Aspinall Mrs J E Sheehan R S Hovey (resigned 31.12.24) D H W Worrall (appointed 21.11.24)
Auditors
Cooper Adams Ltd Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors 12 Payton Street Stratford upon Avon Warwickshire CV37 6UA
Patrons
Professor V Dubowitz
The Trustees carried out regular reviews of the key risks affecting the Charity in the course of the year and took appropriate action.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Registered Charity number
1106815
Principal address
Unit 9 Shottery Brook Office Park Timothy's Bridge Road Stratford upon Avon Warwickshire CV37 9NR
TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) including Financial Reporting Standard 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland".
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales, the Charities Act 2011, Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed 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, including the income and expenditure, of the charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to 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 board of trustees on 11 July 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
M T Dearlove - Trustee
-
Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
-
Observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP;
-
Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
-
State whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
-
Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE TRUSTEES OF SPINAL MUSCULAR ATROPHY UK Opinion Conclusions relating to going concern We have audited the financial statements of In auditing the financial statements, we have Spinal Muscular Atrophy UK (the 'charity') for concluded that the trustees' use of the going the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise concern basis of accounting in the the Statement of Financial Activities, the preparation of the financial statements is Statement of Financial Position, the Statement appropriate. of Cash Flows and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant Based on the work we have performed, we accounting policies. The financial reporting have not identified any material uncertainties framework that has been applied in their relating to events or conditions that, preparation is applicable law and United individually or collectively, may cast Kingdom Accounting Standards (United significant doubt on the charity's ability to Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting continue as a going concern for a period of at Practice), including Financial Reporting least twelve months from when the financial Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard statements are authorised for issue. applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland'.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of In our opinion the financial statements: the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this Give a true and fair view of the state of the report. charity's affairs as at 31 March 2025 and of its incoming resources and application of Other information resources, for the year then ended; The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises Have been properly prepared in the information included in the Annual Report, accordance with United Kingdom Generally other than the financial statements and our Accepted Accounting Practice, including Report of the Independent Auditors thereon. Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in Our opinion on the financial statements does the UK and Republic of Ireland'; and
Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.
- Have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011.
Basis for opinion In connection with our audit of the financial We conducted our audit in accordance with statements, our responsibility is to read the International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs other information and, in doing so, consider (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities whether the other information is materially under those standards are further described in inconsistent with the financial statements or the Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the our knowledge obtained in the audit or financial statements section of our report. We otherwise appears to be materially misstated. are independent of the charity in accordance If we identify such material inconsistencies or with the ethical requirements that are relevant apparent material misstatements, we are to our audit of the financial statements in the required to determine whether this gives rise UK, including the FRC's Ethical Standard, and to a material misstatement in the financial we have fulfilled our other ethical statements themselves. If, based on the work responsibilities in accordance with these we have performed, we conclude that there is requirements. We believe that the audit a material misstatement of this other evidence we have obtained is sufficient and information, we are required to report that appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
-
The information given in the Report of the Trustees is inconsistent in any material respect with the financial statements; or
-
Sufficient accounting records have not been kept; or
-
The financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
-
We have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
Responsibilities of trustees
As explained more fully in the Trustees' Responsibilities Statement, the trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements which give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Report of the Independent Auditors.
Our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
We have been appointed as auditors under Section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue a Report of the Independent Auditors that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in
Use of our report
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. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity's trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditors' report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity's trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
David Cooper
For and on behalf of Cooper Adams Ltd Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors 12 Payton Street Stratford upon Avon Warwickshire CV37 6UA
11 July 2025
| a | Unrestricted | Restricted | 2025 Total |
2024 Total |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM a — |
Notes |
funds £ a |
funds £ |
funds £ |
funds £ |
| Donations and legacies — |
_ | 2 |
_ | ||
| Other trading activities |
_ | 3 |
_ | ||
| Investment income |
_ | 4 |
_ | ||
| Total |
_ | ——— |
_ | ——— |
|
| EXPENDITURE ON Raising funds ——— |
5 ——— |
282,699 ——— |
536 ——— |
283,235 ——— |
203,390 ——— |
| Charitable activities Provision of support ——— |
6 ——— |
312,027 ——— |
620,189 ——— |
932,216 ——— |
583,796 ——— |
| Governance costs ——— |
——— | 100,111 ——— |
- ——— |
100,111 ——— |
92,671 ——— |
| Research related activity ——— ———— |
——— ———— |
36,957 ——— ———— |
7,379 ——— ———— |
44,336 ——— ———— |
58,003 ——— ———— |
| Total ———— |
———— | 731,794 ———— |
628,104 ———— |
1,359,898 ———— |
937,860 ———— |
| NET INCOME/ (Expenditure) a |
(8,174) |
271,821 |
263,647 |
325,993 |
|
| Transfers between funds ——— |
16 ——— |
(1,326) ——— |
1,326 ——— |
- ——— |
- ——— |
| Net movement in funds ——— |
——— | (9,500) ——— |
273,147 ——— |
||
| RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward ott |
ott | 595,560 ott |
386,747 ott |
||
| TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD pt |
pt | 586,060 |
pt |
659,894 |
pt |
| 31 March 2025 — a |
— |
— ee |
— ee |
— ee |
ee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ee a |
Notes ee |
Unrestricted Funds £ ee ee |
Restricted Funds £ ee ee |
2025 Total Funds £ ee ee |
2024 Total Funds £ ee ee |
| FIXED ASSETS aa |
a | ee a |
ee a |
ee a |
ee a |
| Tangible Assets a |
11 a |
7,914 a |
- a |
7,914 a |
8,762 a |
| CURRENT ASSETS > |
> | > | > | > | > |
| Stocks > |
12 > |
5,672 > |
- > |
5,672 > |
5,628 > |
| Debtors a ee |
13 a |
30,364 a ee |
30,850 a ee |
61,214 a ee |
25,598 a ee |
| Cash at bank and in hand a ee |
a | 565,889 a ee |
630,542 a ee |
1,196,431 a ee |
965,314 a ee |
| Total a ee |
a | 601,925 a ee |
661,392 a ee |
1,263,317 a ee |
996,540 a ee |
| CREDITORS ee a |
ee | ee ee |
ee ee |
ee ee |
ee ee |
| Amounts falling due within one year ee a |
14 ee |
(23,779) ee ee |
(1,498) ee ee |
(25,277) ee ee |
(22,995) ee ee |
| NET CURRENT ASSETS a a |
ee |
578,146 ee ee |
659,894 ee ee |
1,238,040 ee ee |
973,545 ee ee |
| TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES ee |
ee | 586,060 ee ee |
659,894 ee ee |
1,245,954 ee ee |
982,307 ee ee |
| NET ASSETS ee |
ee | 586,060 ee ee |
659,894 ee ee |
1,245,954 ee ee |
982,307 ee ee |
| FUNDS a |
ee | ee | ee | ee | |
| Unrestricted funds: General Fund ee a |
ee | ee ee ee |
ee ee ee |
586,060 ee ee ee |
595,560 ee ee ee |
| Restricted funds: Various Funds a |
ee ee |
ee ee |
659,894 ee ee |
386,747 ee ee |
|
| TOTAL FUNDS A |
A | ee A |
ee A |
1,245,954 ee A |
982,307 ee A |
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 11 July 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:
M T Dearlove - Trustee
K M Jackson - Trustee
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 — te
2025 2024 Notes £ £ Cash flows from operating activities — Cash generated from operations 1 223,509 336,003 Net cash provided by operating 223,509 336,003 activities Cash flows from investing activities — Purchase of tangible fixed assets (3,801) (5,192) Interest received 11,409 6,459 Net cash provided by/(used in) 7,608 1,267 investing activities —— Change in cash and cash equivalents 231,117 337,270 in the reporting period Cash and cash equivalents at the 965,314 628,044 beginning of the reporting period ———— Cash and cash equivalents at the 1,196,431 965,314 end of the reporting period eees
| NOTES TO THE STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 sa |
NOTES TO THE STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 sa |
NOTES TO THE STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 sa |
NOTES TO THE STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 sa |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES | |||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Net income for the reporting period (as per the Statement of Financial Activities) |
263,647 | 325,993 | |
| Adjustments for: | |||
| Depreciation charges | 4,649 | 3,467 | |
| Interest received | (11,409) | (6,459) | |
| Decrease in stocks | (44) | 163 | |
| Decrease/(increase) in debtors | (35,616) | 10,519 | |
| Increase/(decrease) in creditors | 2,282 | 2,320 | |
| Net cash provided by operations | 223,509 | 336,003 |
2. ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET FUNDS
| Net Cash | At 31.3.24 £ |
Cash flow £ |
At 31.3.25 £ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash at bank and in hand | 965,314 | 231,117 | 1,196,431 |
| Total | 965,314 | 231,117 | 1,196,431 |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 a
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
Tangible fixed assets Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.
The financial statements of the charity, 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 Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
Office equipment - 10 - 20% on cost Computer equipment - 25% straight line basis
Stocks
Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, after making due allowance for obsolete and slow moving items.
Taxation
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
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.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Expenditure
Restricted funds can only be used for particular purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular purposes.
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as purposes within the objects of the charity. there is a legal or constructive obligation Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or committing the charity to that expenditure, it is when funds are raised for particular purposes. 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. 2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES 2025 2024 £ £ Donations and gifts 1,100,063 717,901 Legacies 149,250 159,944 Motability 239,000 238,500 The National Lottery Community Fund 120,035 137,294 1,608,348 1,253,639 =——=5
3. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES
| 3. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 £ |
2024 £ |
|
| Merchandise Sales | 3,788 | 3,755 |
4. INVESTMENT INCOME
2025 2024 £ £ Bank Interest 11,409 6,459 5. RAISING FUNDS 2025 2024 Raising Donations and Legacies £ £ Staff Costs 164,107 137,965 Fundraising and publicity 24,208 26,826 Events and promotions * * £35,381 (50% of total profit) was paid to the Wildlife Trust because the event was delivered in 90,820 33,953 partnership with the Organisation. Cost of merchandise sales 4,100 4,646 283,235 203,390 — 6. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS 2025 2024 Provision of Support £ £ Staff Costs and other expenses 400,816 337,154 Information and awareness raising 30,904 19,722 Shared experience network 12,241 13,783 Outreach service 123,350 77,482 Welfare and equipment grants 364,905 135,655 932,216 583,796 =—=s 2025 2024 Research Related Activity £ £ Staff costs and other expenses 30,277 42,412 Medical research grants 7,105 6,729 Other research activities 6,954 8,862 44,336 58,003 ee
7. SUPPORT COSTS
| 7. SUPPORT COSTS | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Management £ | |||||
| Governance costs | 100,111 | ||||
| 2025 £ 2024 £ Staff costs and other expenses 80,303 75,039 Professional fees and bank charges 5,580 7,311 Other costs 14,228 10,321 100,111 92,671 === |
|||||
| 8. TRUSTEES’ REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS | |||||
| There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2024 nor for the year | There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2024 nor for the year | ||||
| ended 31 March 2024. |
Trustees' expenses
There were no trustees' expenses reimbursed for the year ended 31 March 2025 (2024: £nil). Payments in respect of trustee indemnity insurance amounted to £678 (2024: £438). 9. STAFF COSTS 2025 2024 £ £ Wages and salaries 545,504 483,714 Social Security costs 50,091 41,460 Pension 24,945 21,884 620,540 547,058 —== The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows: 2025 2024 Management and administration 1 1 Direct charitable expenditure 10 12 Fundraising and publicity 5 5 16 18 === We also engaged contractors in 2025 to assist us with our management and administration 1.2 FTE.
No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000 (2024:None)
10. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS £ |
RESTRICTED FUNDS £ |
TOTAL FUNDS £ |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donations and legacies | 624,113 | 629,526 | 1,253,639 | |
| Other trading activities | 3,755 | - | 3,755 | |
| Investment income | 6,459 | - | 6,459 | |
| Total | 634,327 | 629,526 | 1,263,853 | |
| EXPENDITURE ON | ||||
| Raising funds | 203,390 | - | 203,390 | |
| Charitable activities | ||||
| Provision of support | 261,941 | 321,855 | 583,796 | |
| Governance costs | 92,671 | - | 92,671 | |
| Research related activity | 45,745 | 12,258 | 58,003 | |
| Total | 603,747 | 334,113 | 937,860 | |
| NET INCOME | 30,580 | 295,413 | 325,993 | |
| RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS | ||||
| Total funds brought forward | 564,980 | 91,334 | 656,314 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 595,560 | 386,747 | 982,307 | |
| 11. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS | ||||
| COST | Office equipment £ |
Computer equipment £ |
Totals £ |
|
| At 1 April 2024 | 2,554 | 26,055 | 28,609 | |
| Additions | 864 | 2,937 | 3,801 | |
| At 31 March 2025 | 3,418 | 28,992 | 32,410 | |
| DEPRECIATION | ||||
| At 1 April 2024 | 1,708 | 18,139 | 19,847 | |
| Charge for year | 221 | 4,428 | 4,649 | |
| At 31 March 2025 | 1,929 | 22,567 | 24,496 | |
| NET BOOK VALUE | ||||
| At 31 March 2025 | 1,489 | 6,425 | 7,914 | |
| At 31 March 2024 | 846 | 7,916 | 8,762 |
12. STOCKS
| 2025 £ 2024 £ Stocks held for re-sale 5,672 5,628 ———— |
|---|
| 13. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
| 2025 £ 2024 £ Prepayments and accrued income 61,214 25,598 —— |
| 14. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
| 2025 £ 2024 £ Taxation and social security 17,669 16,273 Other creditors 7,608 6,722 25,277 22,995 —— |
| 15. LEASING AGREEMENTS |
| Minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases fall due as follows: |
| 2025 £ 2024 £ Within one year 7,500 15,000 Between one and five years - 7,500 7,500 22,500 ———i |
| 16. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS |
| At 31.3.24 £ Net movement in funds £ Transfers between funds £ At 31.3.25 £ Unrestricted funds General fund 595,560 (8,174) (1,326) 586,060 Restricted funds Various funds 386,747 271,821 1,326 659,894 TOTAL FUNDS 982,307 263,647 - 1,245,954 ==S=5= |
| 16. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - CONTINUED |
|---|
| Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
| Incoming resources £ Resources expended £ Movement in funds £ Unrestricted funds General fund 723,620 (731,794) (8,174) Restricted funds Various funds 899,925 (628,104) 271,821 TOTAL FUNDS 1,623,545 (1,359,898) 263,647 ___ |
| Comparatives for movement in funds |
| At 31.3.23 £ Net movement in funds £ At 31.3.24 £ Unrestricted funds General fund 564,980 30,580 595,560 Restricted funds Various funds 91,334 295,413 386,747 TOTAL FUNDS 656,314 325,993 982,307 ___ |
| Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
| Incoming resources £ Resources expended £ Movement in funds £ Unrestricted funds General fund 634,327 (603,747) 30,580 Restricted funds Various funds 629,526 (334,113) 295,413 TOTAL FUNDS 1,263,853 (937,860) 325,993 ___ |
16. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - CONTINUED
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:
| At 31.3.24 £ Net movement in funds £ Transfers between funds £ At 31.3.25 £ Unrestricted funds General fund 564,980 22,406 (1,326) 586,060 Restricted funds Various funds 91,334 567,234 1,326 659,894 TOTAL FUNDS 656,314 589,640 - 1,245,954 __ |
|---|
| A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above |
| are as follows: |
| Incoming resources £ Resources expended £ Movement in funds £ Unrestricted funds General fund 1,357,947 (1,335,541) 22,406 Restricted funds Various funds 1,529,451 (962,217) 567,234 TOTAL FUNDS 2,887,398 (2,297,758) 589,640 __ |
| 16. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - CONTINUED Statement of funds |
Balance b/f at 1.4.24 £ |
Incoming resources £ |
Resources expended £ |
Fund Transfers £ |
Balance c/f at 31.3.25 £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted funds | |||||
| General fund | 595,560 | 723,620 | (731,794) | (1,326) | 586,060 |
| Restricted funds | |||||
| Equipment Grant | - | 1,000 | (1,000) | - | - |
| Flexible Response Grants | - | 12,000 | (12,000) | - | - |
| Community Information Webinars | 5,000 | - | - | - | 5,000 |
| Motability | 127,861 | 239,000 | (299,981) | - | 66,880 |
| SMA Care UK Grant | 67,354 | 161,850 | (40,653) | - | 188,551 |
| Community Engagement | 47,350 | 9,500 | (58,176) | 1,326 | - |
| Working with the SMA Community | 61,504 | 120,035 | (127,231) | - | 54,308 |
| Support Services | 2,020 | 18,000 | (20,020) | - | - |
| PhD Scholarship | 3,270 | 10,000 | (7,104) | - | 6,166 |
| SMA and Me Books | 11,400 | - | (10,215) | - | 1,185 |
| Know No Bounds | 30,255 | 20,535 | (29,384) | - | 21,406 |
| Content and Web Development | 30,733 | - | (6,065) | - | 24,668 |
| Edward Gostling | - | 200,000 | - | - | 200,000 |
| Adult Advocacy Workshops | - | 20,396 | (15,101) | - | 5,295 |
| The Big Weekend | - | 57,707 | (1,174) | - | 56,533 |
| Short Film NBS | - | 29,902 | - | - | 29,902 |
| Total Restricted Funds | 386,747 | 899,925 | (628,104) | - | 659,894 |
| TOTAL FUNDS _ |
982,307 _ |
1,623,545 _ |
(1,359,898) _ |
- _ |
1,245,954 _ |
| Analysis of net assets between funds | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fund balances at 31 March 2025 are represented by: | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS £ |
RESTRICTED FUNDS £ |
TOTAL FUNDS £ |
| Tangible fixed assets | 7,914 | - | 7,914 |
| Stock | 5,672 | - | 5,672 |
| Debtors | 30,364 | 30,850 | 61,214 |
| Bank and cash | 565,889 | 630,542 | 1,196,431 |
| Current liabilities | (23,779) | (1,498) | (25,277) |
| Total net assets | 586,060 | 659,894 | 1,245,954 |
16. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - CONTINUED
Flexible Response Grants
Our FlexiGrants support all those living with SMA. We have two grant schemes which are open to all. 1) To help with the costs of accessing NHS-funded treatment or assessment and 2) To assist with buying items that support independence and alleviate hardship
Community Information Webinars
We ask expert health, education and social care professionals questions on topics of interest and concern to the SMA Community such as on treatments, diet and exercise. These popular webinars hosted by a community member provide easy access to important up-to-date and accurate information.
Motability
SMA UK were awarded a 3 year grant from The Motability Foundation, giving us the opportunity to assist people living with SMA in purchasing mobility equipment and wheelchairs through our SMArt Moves grant.
SMA Care UK Grant
The SMA Care UK project will bring together members of the SMA community and a range of health care and other professions to update the guidance outlined in Standards of Care (2018) and ensure it is relevant and meaningful to those living with SMA in the UK today. Funding has been received and requested from trusts and industry.
people who have SMA and how this might be addressed and improve treatment outcomes. It runs from 2022-2025, and is funded jointly with Muscular Dystrophy UK.
SMA and Me Books
The books 'SMA and me' were published in 2016 before disease modifying treatments changed the landscape of SMA. With input from children living with SMA, their families and their clinicians, this new resource sponsored by Biogen, will help children to understand what SMA is, how the treatments work and, importantly, why we now see so many individual differences within the SMA community.
Know No Bounds
Two members of the SMA Community have set themselves a challenge to climb Snowdonia to fundraise for SMA UK to purchase specialist off road wheelchairs therefore aiming to give more opportunities for people living with SMA to explore the great outdoors.
Content and Web Development
As part of our on going website and communications development, were we awarded a grant to strengthen and facilitate Community engagement through our multimedia platforms whilst improving imagery including videos on the SMA UK website.
Edward Gosling
SMA UK benefited from a large legacy endowment from the Edward Gosling Foundation of £200k with the ability to draw down £40k per year for charitable activities.
Community Engagement
SMA UK received grants from trusts and pharma to support our community engagement events which included Picnics in the park and our Children's and adults resonate weekends.
Adult Advocacy Workshops
In January and February 2025, SMA UK held two insightful workshops in Manchester and London, bringing adults living with SMA and specialist clinicians together to discover the adult’s perspectives of clinical care across the UK.
Working with the SMA Community
This Fund goes towards the costs of our information, outreach and support, community development and advocacy services.
Support Services
This fund targeted any Support Services costs that were not covered by any of the other restricted funds that support this work.
PhD Scholarship
This supports our commitment to fund the 4- year research programme that aims to further understand the motor enlargement process in
The Big Weekend
SMA UK’s Big Weekend: Forty and Forward will be held in September 2025 bringing over 400 people from the SMA Community as well as clinicians and organisations with a special interest in SMA and disability.
Short Film NBS
Through an external grant received from Novartis and in partnership with Havas Life London, we have produced a short film highlighting the need for SMA to be added to the Newborn screening programme as fast as possible.
17. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 March 2025.
| 2025 (£) | 2024 (£) | |
|---|---|---|
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS | ||
| Donations and legacies | ||
| Donations and gifts | 1,100,063 | 717,901 |
| Legacies | 149,250 | 159,944 |
| Motability | 239,000 | 238,500 |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 120,035 | 137,294 |
| 1,608,348 | 1,253,639 | |
| Other trading activities | ||
| Merchandise sales | 3,788 | 3,755 |
| Investment income | ||
| Bank interest | 11,409 | 6,459 |
| Total incoming resources | 1,623,545 | 1,263,853 |
| EXPENDITURE | ||
| Raising donations and legacies | ||
| Staff costs and other expenses | 164,107 | 137,965 |
| Fundraising and publicity | 24,208 | 26,826 |
| Events and promotions | 90,820 | 33,953 |
| Cost of merchandise sales | 4,100 | 4,646 |
| 283,235 | 203,390 | |
| Charitable activities | ||
| Staff costs and other expenses | 431,091 | 379,565 |
| Medical research grants | 7,105 | 6,730 |
| Other research activities | 6,954 | 8,862 |
| Information and awareness raising | 30,905 | 19,722 |
| Shared experiences network | 12,242 | 13,783 |
|---|---|---|
| Outreach service | 123,349 | 77,482 |
| Welfare, equipment grants and toy packs | 364,906 | 135,655 |
| 976,552 | 641,799 |
| SUPPORT COSTS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Management | ||
| Staff costs and other expenses | 80,303 | 75,039 |
| Professional fees and bank charges | 7,368 | 6,642 |
| Other costs | 12,440 | 10,990 |
| 100,111 | 92,671 | |
| Total resources expended | 1,359,898 | 937,860 |
| Net income | 263,647 | 325,993 |
Address: Unit 9, Shottery Brook Office Park. Timothy’s Bridge Road, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 9NR Office@smauk.org.uk | 01789 267520
Registered Charity Number 1106815