Charity number: 1109858 The RFL Benevolent Fund Trnstees, report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024
The RFL Benevolent Fund Contents Page Legal and administrative iDfurm&lAon Tnlstees report Indepelldent exatninerg, reporc Statetnent of fall¢la1 acuvities Balance sheet Notes to the fInancial statements 9-14
The RFL Bellevolent Fund Legal and admlnistrative information Charity number 1109858 Business address clo University of Huddersfield Queensgace Huddcrsficld HDI 3DH Trustees Tim Adams MBE Galy Hetherington David Hinchltffe KaiYJ Moorhous¢ Bcth Sutcliffe Kevin Sinfield CBE Nevitle Smith Janc Walton Victoria Sinacola Stuart Taylor Juhtt Heritage Rcsigncd 14 Auxust 2025 Resigned 30 April 2024 Appointed 14 Allgusi 2025 Accollntants SMH Howard Matthews Limited Queensgate Housc 23 North Park Road Harrogate North YoTkshire HGI 5PD Bankers Nationat Westminster Battt plc PO Box 154 8 Park Row Leeds LSI IQS Page I
The RFL Benevolent Fund Report of the trustees for the year ended 31 December 21124 The trustecs prc5cnt their report and the fjnaLcial statements for tbe ycar ended 31 Decenther 2024. The truste¢s who servcd during the year and up to thc datc of this report are sct out on page l. Structurey governanee and management Conslilulion The CJMriry was fomlcd by a Deed of Trust datcd 4 Fcbnwy 2005 Ld is r¢gist¢r¢d with the Charity Commts'sion - R¢gistration number 1109858. Organi.fationnl.¥tructure The TrSt£¢S arc appoir]fed and removed from ottiGc by a 750/ts majority of thc Trustces of the RFL Bencvolent Fund. Ncw tn(CeS are chosen with a view to cllsuring that the Board contains an appropriate balance of experience rclcvant to the Tequircmcnts of thc opcratioT]s of.the Benevolcnt Fund. The Board ot'Trustees airn5 to meet quartcrly to rneet the on-going commitmcnts of the Benevolent Fund and to appraise grant applications. Day to day management of the Bcncvolcnt Fund was handled by its gcncral manager, Stq)hen Ball, o rctir¢d on the 30 June 2025 and wa8 replaced by Francis StcphcnsoT]. The TnteeS act as kcy managcment pcrsonnel tor the Charity, and arc responsible tor significant decisions mad¢. All ncw trustees are trained as appropriatc and all existing tru5tee5 Teceivc updates fvom the Charity Commission. Riik managepnent During the year. the trustccs havc reviewed the major ribks to which the chty is exposed, particularly those related to the finances uf the chty. The Tiwtccb havc considered the appropri&tc polAcies, procedures and systems atid arc LL)nfident tlui thcy drc adcquaic to mitigate the Cbtwity'b Woburc lo thc major iisks. The Trubtees ¢nbure internal fmanLLdl control is taIned by h&ving a system of periodiL managemcnt inf4)nutioll rcports, cle. &dmirti8trative and fLnanLidI provcdurcs and Llc&r littes of aLCOUrnting. No fundamclltal weakncsscs i by8tcms and Lontrols have bccn identified in the yedr. The Tnjstecs Lonsidcl that art internal audit funLtion is not rcqllired based on the relative sizc of the Charity, thc risk5 identifie(L ÉU]d Lolltrols in plaLc to mitigalc these risks. In the opinion of the Trnstccs, thc Charity h&4. ensured th&t undcr nornMI conditions, risk5. are D)itigaiEd Co acLeptable level in its day ts) day operations. Objectives and activities Objectives The objectivcs of the RFL Benevolent Fund ("thc Bencvolent Fund"), as set out in thc trust dc£d dated 4 February 2005, are to Providc for ihc rclicf of pcople (and their depend¢nts) Ivho play, assist, OT who have played or assisted in thc garne ot Rugby Lcaguc in thc UK or tor a teatm afliliatcd to an &5s0¢iation Primarily bascd in the UK. and tho are in hardship or distress in p&rticul&r as a TcsiIIt of injury or death through playing OT training for the game of Rugby Football League or when trdvelling to or from a game or training scs810n. The key financial objective5 in thc pcriod wer¢ to ra15e at least £200,000 and to retain at least so0/ of available funds for beneficiaries. This policy is adopted by the Tnte¢S to keq7 n(L8 available in the event that funding is needed in respect ot'm&jor injurics which rcquire significant medical support. Volunteers All the TnLStees of thc Bcncvolcnt Fund are voluntcers. in addition, other vohlnteers are used in the raising of funds. Page 2
The RFL Benevolent Fund Report of the trustees for the year ended 31 December 2024 GronÈ makingpolicy The Benevolctrt Fund cnyurcs th¢ grayrts awarded contribute to thc delivery of its obj¢Gtives and prioritie6 by the application of a review and ass¢ssment process designed for PUTPOSe. All thc applicants are r¢vicw¢d to ensure eligibility of the upplicant. Applications which fit the eligibility criteria ar¢ takcn into assessment where analysis of the applications and all rclevant supporting docurnents is undertaken. All applications are Teported to the TnLStees for dccisions. Tntstees consider the assessment reports, risk factor and rccomrnendations in deciding which applications to support. Public beiiefit The Trustees are aware of the Charity Commission's advice on ChltieS and Public Benefit. The Tntstccs confim that they have rcfcrred to the guidance conrained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the Trust's aims and objcctives and in planning future activities for the year. The Benevoleni fid ain]s to improve the livcs of all players who havc been seriously injured whilst involved in the playing of Rugby League. Typical areas of support include phy8iotherapy, improVents TO homes and vehicles and provision of household appliallC¢S and holidays, althougb othcr fonns of gupport arc given if dcaned appropriate. Each request for support is c(msidered on a case-by-case basis and support is open to all players without restriction. Aehfievements and performance Duritig 2024 the aLtivities of tbe Charity were similar to thai ill 2023. Fornmatdy, there was no permaoent serious. injury to ally playcr but aemalld from our ExisCAttg benefiLiaries remained high. FundraisAng in 2024 was OnLC again derived 1lY from RFL. Th¢ Steve Prcscott Foundation attd from tbe RFL Presidents Ball GB Liong IunLh events. Thr Brain Hcalth Fund aL'tivilieb eXteled in ils seLond ycar of operation nd at thc cnd of thc fmancial ycar thBrc w&s £1 11,069 in the Fuod. The Benevolent Fwid continues ts) be much rcspcLtcd within thc gajne of Rugby League arnd reniain5 WCII thought of by many OUL8ide the game. Ffinanclal revieiv The Benevolent Fund generated income of £335.070 (2023.. £420.726) during the year. Since the Bencvolcnt Fund establishcd. £3,927,276 has bccn diBtribut¢d to beneficiaries, representing 600/0 of the £6,582.756 gcnerated dwing the sarne period. Thc surplus for the yeaT was £109,279 (2023.. £217,529) l¢avtng thc Bcncvolcnt Fund with nct assets of £1. l 01,982 (2023= £992,703). The results for the year are set out in ihe Statcment of Financial activities on page 7. Page 3
The RFL Benevolent Fund Report of tbe trustees for the year ended 31 December 2024 Resenjespoliej) Tt is the policy of the TnL5tces to maintain unrestrictcd ndS which are The free rcscrvcs of the Charity at a levcl to promde sufficient fi]nds to cover administration and support costs and working capital of the Charity. Tn addition, the TnteeS have adoptcd a policy of keeping funds availablc it. tiindinE is needed in rc5PC£t of major injuTiCS which require significant mcdical support. The Trustees havc sct taTget levels of £50,000 for administration and sUPPOrt costs and £1 00,000 for working capital of the Charity. The bilancc is to cover the eveniuality of major injuries requiring significant mcdical support. The long-tcnn targct level of free rcseTVCS is Sct at £1,000,000 including the £50,000 for administration and support costs and £ 100,000 foi- worlang capital of the Charity. At thc ycar cnd free rcscrves £929.746 (2023.. £850,498). It 15 the aim of the Bcncvolent Fund to build up its rcscrvcs so it has funds availablc to makc 8UPPOrt payments, even if thc funds g¢nerated in the year are at a low level. Invetrtm8nlpowers The Trustees have powers to dcp051t or invest funds in any mann¢r but to invest only after obtaining advice from a financial cxpcrt and having regard to the suitabTIity of investments and thc nccd for diversification. The OPUon5 for alternative investmcnt stratcgies arc currently being PTogrcs5cd by the Trustees. Plans for future periods The Trustccs arc contidcnt that the value ot donations and lundraising will continuc in tuturc yeaTS SO that the Tnr¥S can nltain and incrEasc thc valu¢ ot.all grdnts as and when rcquircd. The Fund works c105ely with its sistcr cEIty, Rugby League Carcs, which raises awareness ot. Its activities by promoting its tundraising activities through leatlcts, Rugby League Cares and the RFL wcbsitffj and by including articles about the Benevolent Fund in thcir ccntral events programmes and n¢wslctters. Statement ot trustees, responsibilities Thc trust¢¢s are responsible for preparing thc Trustees, Annual Report and thc financial statements in accordancc with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting PTactice). Law applicable to charities in England and Wales Yequires thc tntt£S to pr¢paTe financial staternents tor each financial ycaT which give a true and fair view of charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that year. In prcpaTing these tinancial statements the tnLStccs ar¢ required to.. select suitsblc awouttting poEicies 2nd then apply thcm consistenty. obsmie the methods and principles in thc Charities SORP. mdke judgements and cstirnats that are tOnable and pruden statr Thdethcr applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followcd, subjeGt to any rnaterial dcparture5 disclosed and explaincd in th¢ fmancial ststements" and prepare the financial statcrncnts on the going concern basis unless It is inappDpriate to prcsumc that the clmrity will continue iti operation. The ttustecs are rcsponsiblc for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with rcasonable a¢curacy at any time e financial Position of tb¢ charity and enable Tbcm to ensure that the financial Sfatcmcrtts comply with the Charitics Act 2011 and th¢ Ch&ity (Accounts 2nd Reports) Regutations 2008. Page 4
The IIVL Benevoleni FMb)d Ilcjwrt of Iho l¢wl¢cs for thu yr tttdtd 31 Decothbor 2024 TholnLg14W tr¢ rtLw Tty)omlblc fvr ¥ofcguyrdln8 tsi¢ af lh¢ Lh)Aty aThJ hctK¢ for tskin# Tt4wnable for tht p¥¢1(} (jrrrnid ANJ vih¢T irrt8ul¥wid. Oll behlllf ofthe ix)ard of In TIM Adaths MBE Chilm•n 22 S¢pttmber2025 P*%¢ S
The RFL Benevolent Fund Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The RFL Benevolent Fllnd. T report to the charity knustccs on my examination ot thc a¢Gounts ot Thc RFL Bcn¢vol¢nt Fund for the y¢ar endcd 31 Dccember 2024 set out on pages 2 to 14. Responsibilities Ydnd basis of report As the Chity'S tnLscees you are Tesponsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act,). I report in respect of my exatnination of the charitys accounts caryied our under section 145 of the Act and ill carrying out my examinatioll I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Con]mission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independent eLqmlner's statement Since the charitys gross incomc cxcceded £250,000 your cxaminer llllt be a member of a body listed in scction 145 of thc Act. T confirni thal l arn qualified to undcrtakc the examination becausc T am a Thember of The Tnstitutc of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of thc listcd bodies. T have completed my examination. T ¢onfim] that no tnaterial mattcrs have come io my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to bclicvc that in any material rcspcct: accounting records wcrc not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act- or thc accounts do not arcoTd with those records. or the acLounts. do noL Comply with thc applicable requiiemcntb. LollLcrnithg the form and Lolltcnt of accounts set out in thc chIcIes (Accounts and Reports) Rcgulations, 2008 other than uny rcquircmcnt that the accounts give a 'true and fair view whi¢,h ib not a m&tlcr Luntsidered as p4uI of independent ation. I have no concerns and have come across no other rnatters iti Collnection with the elmiOn to which attention sbould be drawj) in this report in order to enable a proper understandillg of the accounts to be reached. Howard Matthews BA FCA ICAEW Tndependent examiner SMH Howard Matthews Limited Queensgate House 23 North Park Roydd Harrogate HGI 5PD 10 September 2025 Page 6
The RFL Benevolent Fund Statement of financlal aetivfides For the year ended 31 December 2024 Unrestricted Restrlcted runds funds 2024 Total 2023 Total Note5 Incoming regources Incoming resources trom gcnerating tutids.. Volllutary incoll Activities for gencratiT2B lithds Investment inco]ne 168,139 45,086 62,223 59,622 227,761 45,086 62.223 308,400 68,546 43,780 Total Incoming resources 275,448 59,622 335,070 420,726 Resources expended chitable aLtivitics GovernRnce costs 188,834 7.366 29,591 218.425 7.366 197,960 5,237 Total resources eellded 196.200 29,591 225.791 203,197 Net income for the year 79,248 30,031 109,279 217,529 Total funds brougbt forward 850.498 142.205 992,703 775,174 Total funds carried fornard 929,746 172,236 1,101,982 992,703 The stattmcnt of financial aGliviCies includcs all gains and lobses in thc year and thcrefore a separatc statcment of total recognised gains arLd lusses has not been prcpared. All of the above amounts. relate t() Lontinutng aLtivities. The notes on pages 9 to 14 form an iTJtegral part of thes¥ financial statemvnt5. Page 7
Th• RFL B¢n¢voltnt Fund Blllaiiie $htet 4J Ilt 31 D¢¢oiiiber 1024 2024 ConTDt awts Dcbto Irtt5tnl Ctssh bank in h 11 12 30,425 522,633 575.305 39.B18 481,619 479.126 1.128,363 1,000563 Crtdltorn #mounts falllng due iyithits 4)ne yt4r 13 126,381) (7,860) Not £Mrr£tnt 4ssets 1,101982 WI.703 Net 4ssets 1,101,982 W2,703 Funds Restriclcd income funds Unrestricted inoxjme fiuKIs 14 16 15 172.236 929,746 141205 850.498 Total funds 1.101,982 992,703 fjDancial state[ were prOVed by thetrwtses on 22 S¢plember2025 and signed on its behalf by TAM Adams MBL Trnst¢E Th¢ notes on pxgu 9 to 14 form int¢gr¥J pxrt off thast fmaTr¢ial statemtnt Page 8
The RFL Benevolent Fund Notes to financial 5taternents for the year ended 31 December 2024 Accounting policies The principal accounting policics are sUmMlSed below. The accountittg policies have been applied consistently thMUOt the year attd the pr¢cedittg year. 1.1. Basis Of accuunting The financial 81atcmcnts are prcpared wider the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practicc: Accounting and Reporting by Charitics preparing their accounts in accordance with the Finan¢ial Reporting Standard applicable in thc UK and Republic of- Trelund (FRS102) and the Charities Act 201 l and UK GAAP as it applies from l January 2015. 1.2. Cashflow The chariry has taken advantage of the exetnpuon in FRSI from the requirement produce a cashfiow statement because it is a small chariry. IJ. Incorning resources All inLvming rebourcEs are includcd the statement of fmanrial activities when the thai.ity is entitled 10 the illcomc and the aniullnt be quautified witb rcasonable aCLiiracy. The follL)wing spccific policies arc appLied lo p8nicular categories of ithLOm¢: Volunr2ry income is received by way of grattls. donations aryd gifts and is included in full in the slatemcnt of fitmncial activities when receivable. Grants Mthere entitletnent is not conditional on the delivery of a spe£ific performance by tbe chariry. are recognised when the chariry becomes unconditionally entitled to the grant. Donated sernTices alld facilities are included at the value to the charity where this call be quantifi¢d. The value of services provided by voluttteerg has not beell include(L Gifts donated for resale are included as iticojning resources within activities for generating funds when they are sold. Income from investsnents is iticludcd iti thc year in which it is receivablc. 1.4. Resources expended Expcnditurc ib rccugtiiscd on an accrual b{1& liability is incurred. Expenditure includcs any VAT which catmot be fully recuveJEd, and is reportcd as part of tbe expenditure to which it rclatcs. Costs of generating fiaS oomprii>e the costs associated with attracting voluntary inLOmC tbe L05ts of trading for firaIsing purpolics. Cbaritable expenditllre comprises those c'osts incurrcd by the Lharity in the delivciy of it8 activities and serviLes for its bencfLLiaricb. It inLludcs both cobts tbaL C¢W be allocatcd dircctly Co SllLh activities and thoge Loiits of a indirect Dature n¢cesb¢)ry to 5uppori them. 1.5. Investments Current &4set investhients are at thc lowcr of cost and net realisable valuc. 1.6. Defined contribution pension schemes The peln Losts Lhdrged in the finanLial st&tements represent the Lontribution paydble by the charity during the year. Page 9
The RFL Benevolent Fund Notes to r]nancial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 Voluntary Tyltome Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2024 Total 2023 Totsl Donations unrcstricted Donations reStriCd The Rugby Football League Stcvc Prcscott fouDdation Logan and Gatys Lions Heart ful Braitt health fund 28,139 28,139 25.052 loo,000 40,000 3,942 30,628 10,163 13,048 loo,000 42,250 33,193 109.746 25,052 loo,000 40.000 3,942 30,628 168,139 59.622 308,400 Aclivities for generating funds Unrestricted funds 2024 Totsl 2023 Presidenc's ball Lions lunch 26.816 18,270 42,119 26,427 18,270 45.086 45,086 68,546 Illvestment income Unrestrlcted funds 2024 Total 2023 Total InLome frvm UK invcstmcnts Bank irLtere5t receivable 41.014 21,209 41.014 21.209 34,728 9,052 62,223 62.223 43,780 Costs of charitable activities - by fund type Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2024 Tot 2023 TotHI Benevolent fimd Presidents ball Lions luttch 156.023 15.825 16.986 29,591 185.614 15,825 16.986 167,633 18,200 12,127 188,834 29.591 218.425 197,960 Page 10
The RFL Benevolent Fund Notes to financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 Casts Of charitable activities - by activity Activities undertaken directly Grant fundlllg activities 2024 Tutal 2023 Totsl Benevolent furld Presidents ball Lions lunch 164.103 15,825 16.986 21,511 185,614 l5,825 16.986 167,633 18.200 12,127 196,914 21,511 218,425 197,960 Governance costs Unrestricted funds 2024 Total 2023 Total Profe&si(mal - Accountancy fees 'ofe55ional _ Other Just giving costs Bank charges Othcr govcrnance costs 3,600 2,461 562 132 611 3.600 2,461 562 132 3,382 .370 360 125 7,366 7.366 5,237 Page 11
The RFL Benevolent Fund Notes to finaneial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 Employees Employment costs 2024 2023 Wage5 and salarics Pension costs Car allowance Other costs 43,368 18.300 4,800 227 48,843 9,200 4,800 545 66,695 63,388 No employee received cmployce bertefiis (excludin¥ cmploycr peDSiOll costs) of morc tl]an £60.000 (2023 None). Number ot employees The average monthly numbers of employees (including d]e ttustees) during the yw, calculatsd on the basis of full time equivalents. was as follows: 2Q24 Number 2023 Number Delivery of services TnL8tCCS Tcccived no salaries OT expenses in the year (2023 .' None) Pension costs The charity opcrutcs a defined contsibution pension schcm¢. The scheme and its asscts are held by indepwidcnt managcTS. The pcnsion charge represents contribution5 due from the Charity and wa8 as follow5: 2024 2023 Pctssion charge 18.300 9,200 11. Debtors 2024 2023 Other debtors Prepayments and acLrucd ittcome 24,042 6,383 34,995 4.823 30,425 39,818 Page 12
The RFL Benevolent Fund Notes to financlal statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 12. Current asset investments 2024 2023 Mattaged invesTments 522,633 481,619 13. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 2(b24 2023 Other taxes and social security Accruals and deferrcd income 376 26.005 714 7,146 26,381 7,860 14. Analysis of net assets between funds Unrestrleted Restricted funds fund$ Total funds Fwmi balances at 31 December 2024 as repitsented by: Invcstmcnc asseLs cllent assets Currcnt liabilities 522,633 433,494 (26,381) 522,633 605,730 (26,381) 172,236 929,746 172,236 1.101,982 15. Unrestricted funds At At l January Incoming OutgDing 31 December 2024 resuurces resuurce5 2U24 Benevolent Fund 850,498 275,448 (196.200) 929.746 PM¥e 13
The RFL Benevolent Fund Notes to financial statements tor the year ended 31 December 2024 16. Restricted funds A¢ At l January Tncomlng OutgDing 31 December 2024 resources resources 2024 D¢fibrillator BLILL'e Fund Braill Health Fund Logan and Gary's Lions H¢art Fund 12,313 8,178 88,521 33,193 1152 22,900 30,628 3,942 (6.511) (15,01)0) {8,080) 7,954 16,078 111.069 37.135 142,205 59,622 (29.591) 172.236 17. Related party transactlons The Rugby Football t£aguc Limited is a debtor to the charity for £16,667 (2023." £8,333) at the year cn(L Rugby Leaguc Catu, which has cotnmon trusttts, is a ¢reditOT of the charity for £17,540 (2023: £26,661 debtor) at the ycar end. Page 14