## **Isle of Wight Red Squirrel Trust 2023** We are proud to have Axel Scheffler join us as an honorary patron and look forward to meeting him in the future. We no longer have paid admin support but Beth has agreed to keep Facebook, the website and online auctions going for us. Meanwhile Dorothy and Helen are keeping the admin up to date until we can find a new administrator. ## **Education** We have a new children’s book called ‘Ginger finds a new home’ by Helen Butler MBE BSc and is aimed at very young children. The story is based on the true life happenings of red squirrels and there are 12 facts, with pictures, after the story. The book is distributed in shops around the Island. Eight educational films are free to download on u-tube via this link: www.youtube.com/@isleofwightredsquirreltrust A free downloadable activities teacher’s pack by following this link: https://iowredsquirreltrust.co.uk/activities. Groups are still keen to have a red squirrel talk. We also attend shows to answer questions and give out information. The Trust donated Helen’s huge book, ‘Red Squirrels on the Isle of Wight, 30 year report’ to local libraries and there are free copies for universities, vet schools and colleges who apply. Given the medical content and graphic pictures of post mortems, it is not suitable for younger pupils. ## **Fundraising** Simon Howes was an absolute hero and we stand in awe of someone who rowed the Atlantic on his own and unaided at the age of 67. Plus he broke the record by 43 days! In gratitude from the trustees, Helen presented Simon with a globe showing his route across the Atlantic. The money raised is going towards The IOW Red Squirrel Trust buying a field so trees can be planted to create a new woodland. The Trust has its sights set on a 12a field which would provide habitat for more red squirrels. This will be a base for people to come and see us – and red squirrels. The online auctions have been successful thanks to Debbie and Beth, who work really hard to make them run smoothly. Debbie has been a stalwart at the shows and generously buys most of the items sold from her own money. Adoptions are online now, so supporters can just click to choose which squirrel they would like to adopt: >https://iowredsquirreltrust.co.uk/product-category/symbolic-red-squirreladoption Beth can create a new digital adoption gift, eg. picture book, cookbook, phone/desktop wallpaper, colouring book. This will start with a digital version of Helen’s updated children’s book based on the original story. Adults like this as well. A pdf of ‘200 Fascinating Facts about Red Squirrels’ is also a popular adoption gift. ## **Events** Thanks to Nicky Eaton we had a Bluebell Day again. Sadly Iain Eaton passed away shortly before the event and the trustees sent their condolences. The event raised ££552.84., so thank you to all who helped and especially to Nicky for letting us see her beautiful – and private – wood at Knighton. One of our original trustees, John Gurney-Champion, had his 100[th] birthday this year. Many congratulations John! Dorothy and Helen attended the party, which was a very enjoyable day Television programme, The Jewel in the South, featured red squirrels in the second programme. Helen and volunteers Rod and Steve were filmed at the hide and camera trapping (a survey method) at Briddlesford. All publicity helps raise awareness of red squirrels on the Isle of Wight and their national importance in the conservation of the species. The IOW Red Squirrel Strategy was launched by HB and JB during red squirrel week. THE ISLE OF WIGHT RED SQUIRREL TRUST STATEMENT OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR TO 31ST DECEMBER 2023 INCOME Salés and Fundrni8ing Adoptlon$ Donatlons Educatlonal Talks Bank Intorest 8883.97 2009.50 30565.85 165.00 2087.89 43712.21 LESS EXPENDITURE Goods for RM•le Promotlonal Material and Exp•Th• Postage. Stallonery and T•l•phon• Admlnlstratbon Insurnnce Chlldrens Book Expenses Te Hlde Bank Charg Educatlonal Talks Legal Expen8e8 Sundrles 636.30 296.50 886.99 5750.00 136.07 1500.00 79.96 122.09 140.1)0 10512.11 EXCESS OF INCOME OVER EXPENDITURE 33200.10 Funds avallablg at 1st January 2023 143202.64 ADD: Excess of Income ov•r Ex￿ndIt￿r• 33200.10 Funds avallable at 31st December 2023 176402.74 THE ISLE OF WIGHT RED SQUIRREL TRUST STATEMENT OF INCOME ANO EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR TO 31ST DECEMBER 2023 INCOME Salos and Fundraising Adoptlons Don•llon$ Educational Talks Bank Int•r8$1 8883.97 2009.50 4 30565.85 2087.89 43712.21 LESS EXPENDITURE 636.30 296.50 886.99 5750.00 136.07 1500.00 79.96 4 122.09 60.1)0 Promollonal Matorlal and Expwb808 Postage. Statlonory and T￿￿hOne Admini•tratlon Insurance Chlldrens Book Expen￿$ re Hkle Bank Charge8 Edu¢alk*nal Talks Legal Expense• Sundries 140.00 10512.11 EXCESS OF INCOME OVER EXPENDITURE 3321x1.10 Funds •vall•ble at 1st January 2023 143202.64 ADD: Exc￿1 of IncoTh ov•r Expendltur• 33200.10 Fund8 avallablo at 3181 December 2023 176402.74 Th1* *t*tsm•nt ha• boon prnPlr￿ th• and InfOrn￿ •UPF4i•d ty th• Tnmt Officorn