REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 05523632 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1112260
Report of the Trustees and
Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
for
Operation Christmas Box
Maximus Accountancy Services Limited 47 Kensington Road Chichester West Sussex PO19 7XS
Operation Christmas Box
Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
| Page | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Reference and Administrative Details | 1 | ||
| Report of the Trustees | 2 | to | 5 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 6 | ||
| Statement of Financial Activities | 7 | ||
| Balance Sheet | 8 | ||
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 9 | to | 13 |
| Detailed Statement of Financial Activities | 14 |
Operation Christmas Box
Reference and Administrative Details for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
| TRUSTEES | Mr A Sims (resigned 1.2.2024) |
|---|---|
| Mrs S Little (resigned 1.2.2024) | |
| Wing Commander (Retd) C Wookey (resigned 1.2.2024) | |
| Colonel (Retd) S R Sharman | |
| Mr C T Scanlon | |
| Lt Colonel (Retd) N Russell | |
| Ms O N Hyde (appointed 6.6.2025) | |
| Lt Commander (RN) L Martin (appointed 6.6.2025) | |
| REGISTERED OFFICE | Castle Hill Barns |
| New Hill | |
| Hough on the Hill | |
| Grantham | |
| Lincolnshire | |
| NG32 2AZ | |
| REGISTERED COMPANY | 05523632 (England and Wales) |
| NUMBER | |
| REGISTERED CHARITY | 1112260 |
| NUMBER | |
| INDEPENDENT EXAMINER | Maximus Accountancy Services Limited |
| 47 Kensington Road | |
| Chichester | |
| West Sussex | |
| PO19 7XS |
Page 1
Operation Christmas Box
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024. 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
The objects for which the charity was established are to help improve the morale of the UK Armed Forces, through charitable means, by promoting the well-being and esprit de corps of all those on military service. This is achieved, primarily, by providing Christmas Boxes to all unaccompanied personnel serving on operations and overseas, who are away from their families and loved ones on Christmas Day each year.
The charity cannot operate without assistance from the Ministry of Defence (MOD) which provides estimates of numbers likely to be away, and locations. It also provides senior military officers to sit on the MOD Christmas Box Committee and who give their advice on items and the suitability of the Christmas Box contents. The MOD assists with the Christmas Box distribution using irreducible spare capacity in their supply chain in the early autumn each year.
Public benefit
The trustees confirm that when reviewing the charity's aims and objectives, and in the planning of future activities, they have consulted the guidance in the Charity Commission's Guidance on Public Benefit .
Page 2
Operation Christmas Box
for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
Report of the Trustees
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
Charitable activities
2024 has been a real year of transition from the old trustees to the new, whilst holding dear to the overall 'raison d'etre' of the charity. Everyone associated with Operation Christmas Box was shocked with the passing of Alan Simms after 20 plus years of sterling support to the charity. We also bade farewell to Sally Little and Charles Wookey as they both stepped down as trustees. However, and as a direct result of the kindness and generosity of our sponsors, the charity was able to deliver just over 8200 Christmas Boxes to Armed Forces personnel in time for Christmas day 2024. As with previous years the boxes were very well received by personnel on operations and helped to improve their morale whilst away from their friends, family and loved ones.
Several key improvements were made this year, notably around the finances for the charity. The main bank accounts were rationalised, and a new overseas money transfer account was set up to improve the security and speed of payments to our overseas suppliers. We used the services of a qualified bookkeeper to help ensure we met our responsibilities with regards both VAT and the submission of our annual accounts. We also sought new sponsors to try and provide longer term financial security. We registered for and received an EORI number for Operation Christmas Box to help with the direct import of goods, and we signed an MOU with PJHQ staff to ensure a clear division of responsibilities were understood between the charity trustees and central armed forces staffs. As a Board of Trustees, we also better understood the true extent of the work carried out by the previous trustees and realised that in 2025 we would need to seek out more trustees to support the charity, particularly with social media, invoicing sponsors, JustGiving, and arranging and running the annual dinner for sponsors.
This year we received sponsorship from The Nuffield Trust, The Gosling Foundation, Kilfrost, Salesforce, MBNA, The Hive 40th Anniversary, The Fleet Air Arm Association, and several smaller donations via JustGiving. As can be seen from the published accounts, as a result of this sponsorship, delivery of the 2025 boxes is assured, and a solid start has already been made on our 2026 requirements.
We used the same supplier for the boxes and contents, Box, Tray & Giraffe Inc, ably supported by the same quality control checks provided via SGS services. Shipping was arranged through Box, Tray & Giraffe Inc, and UK importation was handled by Denholm Good Logistics. Once again, the staffs at BFPO delivered the actual boxes to the necessary operational military locations worldwide based on the requirements provided via PJHQ staffs.
Key events this year were the very successful charity golf day kindly lead by Salesforce, the AGM in June, and the Sponsors Christmas lunch in December, held at the RAF Club London, and a 1960 kms charity bike ride across Italy and France.
Whilst 2024 proved to be a year of steep learning for the new trustees, overall it was a success. Thanks again must go to Sally Little and Charles Wookey, who always made themselves available when advice was needed, to ensure that success.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Financial position
During the year the charity received donations amounting to £127,753 (2022: £128,170). The direct cost of the Christmas Boxes for Christmas 2023 was £124,042 (2022: £137,734), and the cost of generating funds amounted to £17,356 (2022: £16,022).
The overall deficit for the year, after taking into account other income, realised and unrealised gains and losses on investments, and the minimal support and governance costs, amounted to £13,825 (2022: deficit of £63,617), none of which is restricted. At the year end the unrestricted reserves amounted to £151,820 (2022: £165,645).
Page 3
Operation Christmas Box
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Reserves and investments
The charity operates on a year by year basis, looking two years ahead, with purchase costs known in advance. The trustees are required to pay a 30% deposit when placing the order for the Christmas Boxes and the balance 45 days after receipt of the bill of lading. They have always considered that they should have reserves to cover the cost of the boxes for the following year. This has formed the basis of the charity's funding/sponsorship strategy for the last two years. As such it has been well received by potential sponsors, who can easily understand the charity's requirements to provide approximately 8,500 boxes per year at £20 per box, including shipping. This approach has ensured OCB is now well placed to service the 2026 boxes.
The charity's reserves as at the balance sheet date are roughly equivalent to annual running costs, including the costs of the boxes, for one year.
Given the level of reserves held the trustees consider that it continues to be appropriate to hold these as cash.
FUTURE PLANS
The new approach to sponsorship has enabled sponsors to be targeted to provide specific funding to meet any projected shortfall in future funds. Sponsors have indicated that they welcome this approach as it is clear exactly how many boxes they are funding and against a known delta. The decision not to date stamp the boxes has enabled over 500 boxes from 2023 to be carried forward to meet the 2024 requirement, thus reducing the 2024 costings, and this approach will be followed in future years.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.
The charity was incorporated on 1 August 2005 and registered as a charity on 24 November 2005. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association. None of the trustees has any beneficial interest in the charity. In the event of the charity being wound up the members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1.
The charity was originally known as UK4U-Thanks and changed its name to Operation Christmas Box with effect from 28 February 2018 as this is deemed more representative of the charity's raison d'etre.
Recruitment and appointment of new trustees
The day to day management of the affairs of the charity is undertaken by the trustees.
The trustees were approached to act as trustees due to their connection with the military. Given the nature of the charity's activities no formal induction or training is considered to be required. The trustees are aware of their responsibilities and take advice from the Charity Commission and professional advisers as the need arises.
Our Patron
James Gray, MP for North Wiltshire from 1997 to 2024, accepted the trustees' invitation to become Patron of Operation Christmas Box in 2017. James is very sympathetic to HM Forces having had a short military career (1977-84) in the Honourable Artillery Company (HAC).
He is very enthusiastic about the work that the charity does and stands ready to assist the charity's work in whatever capacity that he can.
Page 4
Operation Christmas Box
Report of the Trustees
for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 8 October 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
Colonel (Retd) S R Sharman - Trustee
Page 5
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Operation Christmas Box
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Operation Christmas Box ('the Company')
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
-
the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
-
the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Hilary Julian BA FCA DChA
Maximus Accountancy Services Limited 47 Kensington Road Chichester West Sussex PO19 7XS
17 October 2025
Page 6
Operation Christmas Box
Statement of Financial Activities
(Incorporating an Income and Expenditure Account) for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
| Unrestricted funds Notes £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 2 116,565 Investment income 3 2,352 Total 118,917 EXPENDITURE ON Raising funds 4 3,377 Charitable activities 5 Christmas Boxes 132,439 Total 135,816 NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) (16,899) RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 151,820 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 134,921 |
Restricted fund £ - - - - - - - - - |
2024 Total funds £ 116,565 2,352 118,917 3,377 132,439 135,816 (16,899) 151,820 134,921 |
2023 Total funds £ 127,753 1,948 129,701 17,373 126,153 143,526 (13,825) 165,645 151,820 |
|---|---|---|---|
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 7
Operation Christmas Box (Registered number: 05523632)
Balance Sheet
31 December 2024
| Unrestricted funds Notes £ FIXED ASSETS Investments 9 - CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 10 680 Cash at bank 135,741 136,421 CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 11 (1,500) NET CURRENT ASSETS 134,921 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 134,921 NET ASSETS 134,921 FUNDS 12 Unrestricted funds: General fund TOTAL FUNDS |
Restricted fund £ - - - - - - - - |
2024 Total funds £ - 680 135,741 136,421 (1,500) 134,921 134,921 134,921 134,921 134,921 |
2023 Total funds £ - 26,849 127,771 154,620 (2,800) 151,820 151,820 151,820 151,820 151,820 |
|---|---|---|---|
The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 December 2024.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.
The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for
-
(a) ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and
-
(b) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime.
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 8 October 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:
Colonel (Retd) S R Sharman - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 8
Operation Christmas Box
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements of the charitable company, 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 Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, with the exception of investments which are included at their fair value, in accordance with the SORP.
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.
Income from sponsorship of the Christmas boxes is recognised in the period to which it relates.
Donations are recognised when received. Donations in the form of gifts in kind are recognised as income when distributed, or when the service is received, with an equivalent amount being included as expenditure. Gifts in kind are valued at an estimate of the market value the charity would have to pay for an equivalent item or service.
Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is 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.
Charitable expenditure relates to the cost of the Christmas boxes and related support costs. Support costs includes expenditure on management and administration of the charity including trustees' expenses and the independent examiner's fees.
The cost of raising funds includes expenditure on social media, fundraising activities and investment management costs.
Taxation
The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
Investments
Investments are recognised initially at fair value which is normally the transaction price excluding transaction costs. Subsequently they are measured at fair value with changes recognised in net gains/(losses) in the SoFA if the shares are publicly traded or the fair value can otherwise be measured reliably.
Debtors and creditors receivable/payable within one year
Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable or payable within one year are recorded at transaction price. Any losses arising from impairment are recognised as expenditure.
continued...
Page 9
Operation Christmas Box
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES
| DONATIONS AND LEGACIES | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Donations | 116,565 | 127,753 |
Donations in the prior year included £12,000 in respect of donated services. The equivalent expenditure was included as fundraising expenditure.
3. INVESTMENT INCOME
| 3. | INVESTMENT INCOME | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| Bank interest | 2,352 | 1,948 | ||
| 4. | RAISING FUNDS | |||
| Raising donations and legacies | ||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| Outsourced social media and fundraising support | - | 12,000 | ||
| Website costs | 1,121 | 517 | ||
| Fundraising events | 547 | 3,017 | ||
| Travelling expenses | 1,709 | 1,822 | ||
| 3,377 | 17,356 | |||
| Investment management costs | ||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| Portfolio management | - | 17 | ||
| Aggregate amounts | 3,377 | 17,373 | ||
| 5. | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS | |||
| Support | ||||
| Direct | costs (see | |||
| Costs | note 6) | Totals | ||
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| Christmas Boxes | 129,838 | 2,601 | 132,439 |
continued...
Page 10
Operation Christmas Box
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
6. SUPPORT COSTS
| SUPPORT COSTS | |
|---|---|
| Charity | |
| running | |
| costs | |
| £ | |
| Christmas Boxes | 2,601 |
Support costs include £575 payable to the independent examiner in respect of the independent examination (2023: £500) and £985 (2023: £900) for other services.
7. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 December 2024 nor for the year ended 31 December 2023.
Trustees' expenses
Three trustees were reimbursed a total of £433 for travel and subsistence expenses incurred whilst carrying out their duties (2023 three trustees were reimbursed a total of £654).
8.
| COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES Unrestricted funds £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 127,753 Investment income 1,948 Total 129,701 EXPENDITURE ON Raising funds 17,373 Charitable activities Christmas Boxes 126,153 Total 143,526 NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) (13,825) RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 165,645 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 151,820 |
Restricted fund £ - - - - - - - - - |
Total funds £ 127,753 1,948 129,701 17,373 126,153 143,526 (13,825) 165,645 151,820 |
|---|---|---|
continued...
Page 11
Operation Christmas Box
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
9. FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS
| Unlisted investments £ MARKET VALUE At 1 January 2023 4,838 Disposals (4,838) At 31 December 2023 - NET BOOK VALUE At 31 December 2023 - At 31 December 2022 4,838 Unlisted investments are valued at the recoverable amount of the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date. The were no investment assets outside the UK. 10. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 2024 2023 £ £ Other debtors 680 26,849 11. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 2024 2023 £ £ Other creditors 1,500 2,800 12. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS Net movement At At 1.1.24 in funds 31.12.24 £ £ £ Unrestricted funds General fund 151,820 (16,899) 134,921 TOTAL FUNDS 151,820 (16,899) 134,921 Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: Incoming Resources Movement resources expended in funds £ £ £ Unrestricted funds General fund 118,917 (135,816) (16,899) TOTAL FUNDS 118,917 (135,816) (16,899) |
Unlisted | Unlisted | |
|---|---|---|---|
| investments | |||
| £ | |||
| 4,838 | |||
| (4,838) | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| 4,838 | |||
Unlisted investments are valued at the recoverable amount of the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date. There were no investment assets outside the UK.
continued...
Page 12
Operation Christmas Box
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
12. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Comparatives for movement in funds
| At 1.1.23 £ Unrestricted funds General fund 165,645 TOTAL FUNDS 165,645 Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: Incoming resources £ Unrestricted funds General fund 129,701 TOTAL FUNDS 129,701 |
Net movement At in funds 31.12.23 £ £ (13,825) 151,820 (13,825) 151,820 Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (143,526) (13,825) (143,526) (13,825) |
|---|---|
13. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 December 2024.
14. PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL SERVICES
In common with many charities of a similar size the independent examiner prepares the statutory report and accounts on behalf of the trustees. The trustees are responsible for the accounts of the charity and the trustees review and approve the accounts once these have been prepared on their behalf. The independent examiner also prepares the corporation tax computation and return for the approval of the trustees.
Page 13
Operation Christmas Box
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS Donations and legacies Donations Investment income Bank interest Total incoming resources EXPENDITURE Raising donations and legacies Outsourced social media and fundraising support Website costs Fundraising events Travelling expenses Investment management costs Portfolio management Charitable activities Cost of Christmas boxes Support costs Charity running costs Insurance Postage and stationery Sundries Bookkeeping Accountancy fees Independent examination Total resources expended Net expenditure |
2024 £ 116,565 2,352 118,917 - 1,121 547 1,709 3,377 - 129,838 112 20 359 550 985 575 2,601 135,816 (16,899) |
2023 £ 127,753 1,948 129,701 12,000 517 3,017 1,822 17,356 17 124,042 112 6 593 - 900 500 2,111 143,526 (13,825) |
|---|---|---|
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
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